QinetiQ
has been named as preferred bidder to provide a Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) for air defence training and test and evaluation for the
's armed forces over the next 20 years. QinetiQ was selected ahead of the Serco/EADS Firecats consortium.
Under CATS, QinetiQ will provide all of the UK MOD's aerial target requirements. It will continue to deliver the aerial target service at Aberporth,
In addition QinetiQ will provide a service for ground-based air defence training, aerial target services for the Royal Navy, and an air-to-air service for the RAF. The service will be capable of operating from any suitable range worldwide.
Andrew Sleigh, QinetiQ's Group Managing Director for Defence, said: "CATS is a complex contract, providing a flexible service worldwide that is key to the air defence training of our armed forces for the next 20 years."
Sleigh added: "A key feature of our bid is our use of the best, proven targets on the market, a function of QinetiQ's independence from manufacturers."
The target technologies central to QinetiQ's bid are already in service with
Meggitt Defence Systems' Banshee targets, which will now be operated by QinetiQ, are also fully integrated at
Later this year QinetiQ's aerial target systems will also be used in air combat training for US aircrews based in
Utilising the MOD's Aberporth, West Freugh and
QinetiQ manages and operates the MOD's 22 principal test and evaluation ranges through the 25-year LTPA, awarded in 2003.
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