The 18th “Iron” Mechanized Division of the Polish Armed Forces has announced the successful testing of the Gladius reconnaissance and attack system against maritime targets. According to the official statement, the tests aimed to evaluate the system’s ability to strike targets at long distances.
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“The launches were a complete success. The system hit the target with surgical precision,” declared the Polish military. 
The Gladius system consists of drones, a self-propelled launcher mounted on an armored vehicle, and a command unit. It was officially delivered to the 18th Artillery Regiment in December 2023, marking the start of its operational integration.
Gladius is part of a contract signed in 2022 between the Polish Armaments Agency and the company WB Electronics, valued at approximately USD 500 million. The agreement provides for the delivery of four BSP-U Gladius battery modules, one for each divisional artillery regiment.
Each module includes dozens of FT-5 reconnaissance drones and hundreds of BSP-U attack drones. The FT-5 is a twin-engine glider with a T-tail, capable of operating more than 100 km from the control point — without the need for repeaters — and can itself function as a repeater for BSP-U attack drones.
The BSP-U is an electric drone equipped with a propeller and designed to carry high-explosive fragmentation, cumulative, and in the future, thermobaric warheads. The launchers for these drones are mounted on Waran armored vehicles with 4×4 traction. The system’s combat command also operates from a Waran, adapted as a mobile command post.
With the successful tests against maritime targets, Poland takes another significant step in modernizing its artillery and strengthening technological deterrence amid rising regional tensions.
Source and images: Facebook @ZelaznaDywizja | militarnyi. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
