Aerial Target Systems Integrated Project Team (IPT) resides within the Defence Equipment & Support and manages equipment projects from concept to disposal.

Aerial Target Systems are UAVs, missiles or projectiles which are designed to emulate Air Warfare threats.  They are used for the test and evaluation of AAW systems throughout their life and for operator training by all three Armed Services.

This IPT manages a number of Aerial Target Systems for use with the UK Armed Forces. Current capability is delivered on a single service basis through the conventional procurement of a limited number of targets. A single turn-key contract for the service provision of the capability, covering the provision of target(s), other equipment, operating staff and full support is in place with QinetiQ. Delivery of this service (CATS) will commence in Spring 2008.
 

PROJECTS  SUPPORTED

CATS - Combined Aerial Target Service - PPP solution from QinetiQ

MIRACH - Subsonic target for RN/RAF development and in-service weapons firings

BANSHEE - Subsonic target for GBAD training and development firings

FALCONET - Advanced subsonic target for air defence training

FIAC - A remote controlled rigid inflatable boat used for training by the Royal Navy
 

CATS

BACKGROUND

The threat in the air environment is particularly demanding and complex, ranging from simple, slow moving Unmanned Air Vehicle's (UAVs) to advanced and highly manoeuvrable sub and super-sonic sea skimming Anti-Ship missiles. Crucial to the maintenance of the operational capability is the ability, in peacetime and in times of tension or build up to hostilities, to evaluate Anti Air-Warfare Weapon Systems (including their operators) against realistic targets.

CURRENT SOLUTION

The Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) seeks to provide a more coherent, operationally flexible, reliable and cost effective solution to the future provision of 'live' sub-sonic and super-sonic aerial target capability to the UK Armed Forces.

In December 2006, QinetiQ signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply a Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) for the UK's armed forces. Worth up to £308 Million over 20 years, this is QinetiQ's largest competed sale to date.

Through the contract, QinetiQ will provide a service that meets all of the UK MoD's aerial target requirements worldwide including ground-based air defence training, aerial target services for the Royal Navy, and an air-to-air service for the RAF.

CATS combines in a single contract all of the MoD's existing target arrangements. This includes the Mirach service currently delivered by QinetiQ at Aberporth in South Wales as part of the 25-year Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) through which it runs the MoD's 22 principal test and evaluation ranges.

CATS targetry must replicate the current and future sub and supersonic aerial threat.

MIRACH

The Mirach 100/5 replaced the Chukar II and is now in service with the British Royal Navy.

It is a gas turbine powered sub-sonic aerial target weighing 183kg mass and has a wingspan of 2.3m. Launched using two JATO boosters it can be piloted either by a remote controller using a portable tracking and command radar, or a pre-programmed Global Positioning System/Inertial navigation system.
 

Flying at speeds of up to 530 knots, at altitudes between 15 feet and 40000 feet, it can manoeuvre on command. Payloads vary from 25kg internal to 75kg external and include Miss Distance Indicators, infrared, visual enhancement equipments, flare and chaff dispensers, radar transponders and a locator beacon. It can also be fitted with a rearward facing video system, which has a 40 mile telemetry. Endurance is approximately 60 minutes and it makes a sea landing using a parachute system.

It is operated by the 792 Naval Air Sqn who use it for live weapons training with Royal Navy Sea Dart, Royal Air Force Sidewinder and Skyflash.  It is also used in support of the weapon integration programmes for European Fighter Aircraft and Tornado.

 

BANSHEE

The Banshee is a piston-engined, Glass Reinforced Plastic delta winged target of approximately 2.5 metre wingspan and 72kg mass. 

It is catapult launched and can be flown under manual remote control or beyond visual range using radar or differential Global Positioning System tracking. At speeds of up to 200 knots in level flight and manoeuvres in excess of 4g, this is a versatile target. Its altitude ceiling is above 3,000m and normally lands by parachute or by the use of a skid. Upon recovery it is sent for any necessary repairs.

Used mainly as an airborne target for Surface-to-Air live weapons training of Rapier, HVM and Javelin it can be can be deployed virtually anywhere.

The Banshee target is manufactured by Meggitt Defence Systems Ltd. The latest variant (400 series), which has improved infrared enhancement, began service in 1998.

FALCONET

The Falconet is a highly modular, agile, recoverable, sub-scale target. It is powered by a turbojet engine and can be launched under its own power from a permanent circular runway or alternatively by JATO boosters using a zero length launch system. 

The target has an on-board autopilot supplemented by remote control equipment, which allows a wide variety of low to medium altitude threat profiles to be met.

The target is capable of speeds in excess of 400 knots at altitudes between 300m and 6,000m. Ranges  in excess of 60km with a typical duration of 40 minutes are possible. Payloads of typically 31kg can include visual, IR and radar augmentation systems as well as a MDI system decoys or special mission payloads.

Target recovery on land is by deployment of a parachute and descent in the nose down position. Over land this allows the frangible nose to absorb the impact. The target is currently used at the MoD Hebrides Range to support Rapier weapon systems development and operator training.

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