QinetiQ Partners with ASV for Supplies, Operations Contract

Photo courtesy QinetiQ

 By Priya Potapragada





QinetiQ has entered into a contract with Autonomous Surface Vehicles Ltd. for supplies and operations support for autonomous surface targets.



The partnership enables both companies to work towards supplying surface targets to fight against the threat of Fast Inshore Attack Craft. 



“FIACs are a challenging target to detect and defeat, and QinetiQ’s new service can support all phases of weapon trials and training, including seeker and sensor development, laser targeting, and both air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missile firings and gunnery,” says John Anderson, managing director for Weapons at QinetiQ. “Deployable either manned or unmanned, the vessels can also be used to tow a target. With an active involvement in all military environments, QinetiQ has the necessary skills and experience to design, build and procure bespoke targets to meet the needs of all three armed forces.”



The targets have speeds of more than 50 knots and are fitted with miss distance indication systems to provide accurate scoring. It can also be equipped with GPS, thermal, radar and visual enhancements. The targets can be deployed anywhere and can also be integrated with QinetiQ-managed Ministry of Defence air and maritime ranges.  



QinetiQ’s C-Target 13 is the first vessel in service in support of contracts at MOD Aberporth for towing and direct fire actions.



“The requirement for surface targets has grown significantly over the last two years and QinetiQ represents an important part of ASV’s business,” says Vince Dobbin, head of business development at ASV. “Having provided QinetiQ with nine vessels in the last 18 months, this contract will enable ASV to support QinetiQ and their clients through a simple and effective contracting mechanism.”