MSPO 2021: Polish University of Technology WAT unveils Wabik drone helicopter

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The Polish Military University of Technology is displaying one of its achievements, a drone helicopter called Wabik (lure/decoy).

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The Polish Military University of Technology is displaying one of its achievements, a drone helicopter called Wabik (lure/decoy). (Picture source: Army Recognition)

WAT underlines its potential use by security forces for observation purposes with sending real-time images. The drone is equipped with a DRI-200 optoelectronic head (gimbal) for detecting and identifying objects and potential threats. The optical equipment includes a daylight camera and a thermal imaging camera with temperature measurement and the ability to define isotherms.

The maximum takeoff weight is 35kg, which includes a 14kg payload. The drone can reach 120 km/h and an altitude of 3,000 meters. The autonomy averages 2 hours, with a maximum range of 200 km.

Polish Military University of Technology (WAT)

The Polish Military University of Technology (Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna im. Jarosława Dąbrowskiego – WAT) is the civil-military technical academic institution in Poland, located at Bemowo, Warsaw. It was established in 1951. The university is supervised by the Minister of National Defence of Poland and conducts scientific research for the needs of Polish Armed Forces.

This university leads both military and civilian studies. Military graduates receive not only the professional title of magister inżynier, but are also promoted to the military rank of podporucznik (second lieutenant). Formally being professional soldiers, military students attend school on the principles of ordinary military service. They are quartered in military dormitories and attend a variety of different military trainings and lectures. After graduating, they are formally obliged to serve in Polish Armed Forces under threat of reimbursement of education costs. Only Polish citizens are eligible for military studies.

Contrary to military students, civilian ones can study normally, without any commitments to the Ministry of National Defence. Civilian studies allow obtaining professional titles such as: inżynier or licencjat (first cycle studies), magister inżynier or magister (second-cycle studies) and a scientific degree of doktor. Due to changes in Polish law, since October 2019, separate Doctoral School operates in the structure of WAT. Full-time studies are free, extramural studies are payable.

Obviously, scientific research conducted in WAT focus on issues connected with military and national defense. MUT was the place where, in 1963, the first Polish laser was created. In 1964 analog computer ELWAT (later produced by Elwro in Wrocław) was also created in WAT. One of the biggest contemporary projects which were developed at the university was the so-called Modular Firearm System, 5.56 mm MSBS rifle, currently manufactured and further developed by FB "Łucznik" Radom.