Loitering Munition
WB Group Warmate
The WB Group Warmate is a Polish loitering munition made by WB Group in Warsaw, Poland. Commonly dated to 2016, the electric kamikaze drone weighs about 5.7 kg, flies for about an hour and was delivered to Ukraine in 2022.
Poland|WB GroupWhat Is the WB Group Warmate? Overview, History and Development
The Warmate is a family of electric-powered kamikaze drones from WB Group. The basic version weighs about 5.7 kg and carries a warhead of about 1 kg or 1.4 kg, in fragmentation, thermobaric or anti-armour versions. It is launched from a rail catapult and can be recovered by parachute if a strike is aborted. Manufacturer figures give an endurance of about 60 minutes, a range of about 30 km and a speed up to about 150 km/h.
An operator controls the drone through an EO/IR camera, with an option of target lock. Poland is the origin and launch customer, and operators include Ukraine, which received Warmates in 2022, and Georgia, with US trials reported. Ukrainian forces reported strikes in 2022, though the effects are hard to verify independently. Warmate 2 and 3 are later versions, with details varying by source. Similar systems include the Switchblade 300, Kargu-2 and KUB-BLA.
WB Group Warmate Specifications: Endurance, Range, Payload and Sensors
WB Group Warmate Variants and Versions Compared
The Warmate is the basic 5.7 kg electric loitering munition with a warhead of about 1 kg or 1.4 kg.
Warmate 2 is a later version announced as heavier or longer-ranged, with details varying by source.
Warmate 3 is another later version with expanded capability, and its figures also vary by source.
Which Countries Use the WB Group Warmate? Operators and Users
Poland
Ukraine
GeorgiaWB Group Warmate FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does a Warmate drone cost?
A WB Group Warmate is commonly estimated at tens of thousands of euros per unit. The figure is not official, and the final price depends on warhead type and the support package.
How much does the Warmate weigh?
The basic WB Group Warmate weighs about 5.7 kg. It carries a warhead of about 1 kg or 1.4 kg, and the length and span figures vary by source.
Does Ukraine use the Warmate?
Yes, Ukraine received the WB Group Warmate in 2022 and has used it in the war. Ukrainian forces reported strikes that year, but the effects are hard to verify independently.
What is the range of the Warmate?
The WB Group Warmate has a manufacturer-stated range of about 30 km and an endurance of about 60 minutes. Its speed reaches about 150 km/h, according to manufacturer figures.
Which countries use the Warmate?
The WB Group Warmate is used by Poland, Ukraine and Georgia, with US trials reported. Poland is the origin and launch customer of the system.
Warmate vs Kargu-2: which is better?
The WB Group Warmate is a fixed-wing rail-launched drone, while Türkiye’s STM Kargu-2 is a rotary-wing system, so they differ in design. Türkiye also builds the ASELSAN Alpagu and Baykar Kemankeş as other loitering munitions.