Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS) has been contracted by UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS) to provide additional tactical common data links (TCDL) for the British Army's Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

The $1.4m contract extension has been awarded as part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Watchkeeper UAS programme.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Under the three-year contract, CMS's high-speed and secure TCDL will facilitate wireless transmission of data and images from the UAS to ground control stations.

The TCDL uses digital signal processing to process high-volume sensor data generated on the air vehicle for transmission to its ground stations.

A simultaneous uplink transmits control commands to the air vehicles and their payload, Cubic said in a statement.

Cubic Mission Solutions president Mike Twyman said: “Cubic’s TCDL is an integral component to the Watchkeeper system as it delivers reliable, real-time data feeds to key decision makers for greater situational awareness and operational flexibility.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData
"Cubic’s TCDL is an integral component to the Watchkeeper system as it delivers reliable, real-time data feeds to key decision makers."

“We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with U-TacS in providing extensive networked capabilities in support of UK MoD’s Watchkeeper programme.”

The Watchkeeper provides the UK armed forces with essential intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTR) capabilities in all weather conditions.

The air vehicle is capable of carrying a range of equipment, including day and night cameras and surveillance radars.

U-TacS is responsible for development, integration, test flights and manufacture of the UAS's subsystems, including unmanned aircraft and ground control stations.

Image: The Watchkeeper UAS during its first flight in the UK. Photo: courtesy of Peter Russell LBIPP / MOD.

Army Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Army Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
Virtualitics has clinched both the Innovation and Business Expansion awards for its Integrated Readiness Optimization (IRO) AI suite, transforming maintenance, sustainment and operational decision-making across the US DoD. Discover how explainable AI and predictive insights are redefining mission readiness, risk management and joint-force efficiency.

Discover the Impact