FT5 Tactical UAS
WB Group · Poland · also known as FT-5 Łoś · Updated
FT5 Tactical UAS, also known as the FT-5 Łoś, is a Polish tactical unmanned aerial system built by WB Group for battlefield surveillance, border patrol and disaster monitoring. It was developed for the Polish Armed Forces' Orlik tactical UAV programme, which procured 20 of the type for the Polish Land Forces.
Overview
FT5 is designed for close and short-range tactical reconnaissance, carrying a standard surveillance payload of daylight and thermal-imaging cameras that can be modified for specific missions. WB Group designed the airframe around two independent, EFI-controlled piston engines, giving it redundancy if one engine fails, and built in fully automatic take-off and landing from a conventional runway.
Design and capabilities
The aircraft is 1.3 m long with a 6.4 m wingspan. WB Group states an endurance of up to 10 hours, a maximum operating ceiling of 5,000 m above mean sea level, and a line-of-sight radio communication range of up to 150 km. In flight it can operate under several modes: a pre-programmed waypoint flight plan that can be edited mid-mission, a camera-guided mode that steers the aircraft toward whatever the sensor is tracking, direct manual control with automated turn limits, and an automatic return-to-base mode triggered by loss of radio or GPS contact. The manufacturer has not published a maximum take-off weight, payload capacity or maximum speed for the type.
Operational history
FT5 is in service with the Polish Land Forces as part of the Orlik tactical UAV programme, which built 20 units of the type.
Frequently asked questions
How long can the FT5 stay airborne?
WB Group states an endurance of up to 10 hours.
Who operates the FT5?
The Polish Land Forces, which received 20 aircraft under the Orlik tactical UAV programme.
How is the FT5 launched and recovered?
Fully automatically from a conventional runway, with automatic take-off, landing and an automatic return mode if radio or GPS contact is lost.
What sensors does the FT5 carry?
A standard daylight and thermal-imaging camera payload, which can be modified for the specific mission.
Who makes the FT5?
WB Group, a Polish defence-electronics company based in Ożarów Mazowiecki.
