Thales UK confirms a further key milestone for the Watchkeeper programme has been met, with the validation of Thales's automatic take-off and landing system, MAGIC ATOLS.

This trial is one of a comprehensive set of trials taking place over the next year and follows on from the first successful flight trials of the Watchkeeper unmanned air vehicle (UAV) in April 2008.

On 23 July 2008 automated take-off and landing flights of the Watchkeeper UAV using Thales's MAGIC ATOLS were successfully performed and validated in the presence of the UK Ministry of Defence at Megido airfield in northern Israel.

The Watchkeeper system has been designed for automatic take-off and landing, without the need for pilots during this phase.

Mark Barclay, Managing Director of Thales UK's aerospace business, witnessed the demonstration flights and commented: "This is a major step forward on the Watchkeeper programme and one of a number of trials that are scheduled over the forthcoming months. The MAGIC ATOLS system controlled the take-off and landing of several of the Watchkeeper air vehicle flights without the need for GPS.

"I was pleased to have the opportunity to be present on the day and the success of this demonstration is completely due to the close co-operation of the Thales and Elbit teams on the programme."