Founded in 1997, the WB GROUP today is a recognized and proven provider of state-of-the-art technological solutions designed for defence, homeland security, and civil sectors. As the largest Polish exporter of military technologies serving customers in dozens of countries, including the US and Turkey, WB GROUP is also the leader in designing and production of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Poland. At the SAHA Expo 2021 Defence & Aerospace Exhibition, Defence Turkey had an opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with WB GROUP Autonomous Combat Systems Department Director Marcin MACIEJEWSKI and Flytronic (a WB GROUP’s company) Board Member Dawid BIELECKI to get first-hand information on the WARMATE Loitering Munition Systems and FLYEYE Mini UAS.

WB GROUP Autonomous Combat Systems Department Director Marcin MACIEJEWSKI: “I would like to remind everyone that a couple of years ago, the Turkish Armed Forces were one of our first foreign customers and bought the WARMATE loitering munition.”

WB GROUP Autonomous Combat Systems Department Director Marcin MACIEJEWSKI shared information about the WARMATE Loitering Munition System, which is one of WB GROUP’s flagship products and which is already in the Turkish market. “First of all, I would like to remind everyone that a couple of years ago, the Turkish Armed Forces were one of our first foreign customers and bought the WARMATE loitering munition. We delivered it and trained the soldiers on the system’s operation.”

Regarding the possibility of integrating it to the Polish Army BAYRAKTAR TB2 Armed UAVs, MACIEJEWSKI said, “The WARMATE TL can be integrated with various models of armed unmanned aerial vehicles, including Turkish-made. The system will be mounted under the UAV wing. The loitering munitions will simply drop from the host during the flight. This is an even simpler solution because since the unmanned platform already gives the WARMATE TL a certain speed to fly, you do not need an additional launcher. A large armed drone can carry up to four or even six WARMATE TL systems. The WARMATE TL weighs only 5 kg, which means that two-three loitering munitions can be transported under each wing.”

The WARMATE Loitering Munitions Systems are controlled via the U-GATE Dismounted Observation & Command System, an extended control device for the WARMATE. MACIEJEWSKI defined the U-GATE with the following words, “a small binocular which you put to your eye, then you can take over WARMATE. A very small tool.” Troops on the ground can call on WARMATE when needed by using U-GATE terminals (a C4ISR-Extended System enables Special Forces operatives to direct strikes from loitering munitions such as WARMATE, also made by WB GROUP) at ranges of up to 4km range in open terrain and 1km range in the forest. Tests have shown that a single operator can effectively control up to 10 WARMATES simultaneously for coordinated attacks.)

Marcin MACIEJEWSKI also emphasized that the WARMATE loitering munition family is ITAR Free. “It is an ITAR free solution. WB GROUP developed its own loitering munitions systems. WB GROUP doesn’t depend on any foreign subcontractors, who might say, “No, sorry, we won’t sell you something” for whatever reasons.”

Flytronic Board Member Dawid BIELECKI: “We can cooperate with local companies to develop any type of advanced military systems together and combine WB GROUP’s solutions with ideas of Turkish engineers.”

Flytronic Board Member Dawid BIELECKI stated the company’s expectations from the SAHA Expo 2021 and possible cooperation with local companies to develop military systems, “WB GROUP presents its offer to the Turkish market. We can cooperate with local companies to develop any type of advanced military systems together and combine WB GROUP’s solutions with the ideas of Turkish engineers. We are all ready for cooperation.”

Pointing out that Turkey is also on a very advanced level in the UAV sector, BIELECKI said they are ready to cooperate with other countries with Turkish systems. “WB GROUP is a recognized integrator and manufacturer of advanced military electronics and information and communication technology systems. Part of our business is the development of unmanned platforms and loitering munitions. Of course, we are ready to cooperate with other countries with Turkish systems. So, we can equip your system with our avionics and succeed in foreign markets together.”

You can find the full interview in our 112th issue.