Page 64 - World Airnews Magazine May 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

With more complex systems, there is a higher
chance of a technical glitch. The test can also be
modified while out in the field.
Werner said, “For example, when we’re working
with a ship, a sensor might fail and the customer will
ask us to change the target’s tracking or behaviour.
We’re so close to the customer we can adapt the
profile even during a firing run.”

AERIAL TARGETS
The aerial targets QTS produces may be launched Among the latest QTS products,
from land or sea, offering considerable flexibility in Rattler’s ground launch capability
settling customer requirements. was added in 2018
In the case of Rattler, aerial launch is another possi- (Photo: QTS)
bility. Overseas trials occasionally present difficulties
in terms of locating and securing suitable operating
areas, and the ability to move a trial from one place to another, targets and customers have their own too, often recording data
with viable launch options, is a great facilitator. during flight. They’ll want to know what happened when the
Meggitt developed the Banshee target, which QTS continues to weapon hit and what happened beforehand. If it didn’t hit, they’ll
offer and develop as its smallest aerial target, or UAV-T. want to know why. They’ll also assess how close the weapon came
The basic propeller driven model is joined by a selection of and we can install equipment that will tell them that. Customers
jet-powered derivatives, offering higher speeds, but also generat- look for similar data from surface and land targets too.”
ing the IR signature associated with a jet. They may be equipped As weapons systems evolve, so do the requirements QTS’s
with the company’s Hot Nose system, capable of generating a 360° customers place on the targets. Werner said, “We’ve seen
IR signature. fast-moving patrol craft become a threat, for example, and
“This year we launched the Banshee Next Generation, a developed Hammerhead to simulate them.
high-performance target, but we also have the Rattler, which is “In the future customers will want faster, more manoeuvrable
supersonic. We look ahead and speak with our customers to define targets with low radar cross section, capable of simulating
the threats of the future. fast-moving missiles that might threaten shipping from land or air.”
“We’re always conscious of cost. A system costing £3 million (US) In its Rattler ground/air-launched supersonic target QTS has a
$4 million per ‘kill’ would be unaffordable so we look carefully at versatile target capable of exceeding Mach 2.0. Much of its flex-
the prices customers might be willing to pay.” ibility comes from distinct launch profiles, either from land/ship,
or beneath a Banshee Jet 80. In the latter case, the Banshee may
AN INCREASING CHALLENGE assume the role of a missile-firing aircraft, releasing the Rattler at
The requirement for creating technology that will challenge a high- stand-off range against a ship to simulate a supersonic weapon,
and then turning away. Depending on the scenario, the result could
tech weapons system and generate data in the process, combined set the defenders the double challenge of defeating the Rattler and
with the need to create a replaceable, essentially throw-away preventing the Banshee escaping to return another day.
target, is particularly challenging. It’s a complex target system that QTS invested in after talking
Customers typically use targets to prove manufacturer’s closely with its customers. That policy echoes through the
claims for a weapons system and QTS equips them accordingly. company’s offering, which Werner said also benefits from the
Equipment fit, data collection and data transmission will vary resources of the wider QinetiQ organisation. The result is not only
depending on range facilities and much of the technology is an essential trial and training tool kit, but also a fully deployable
sensitive. trial support organisation. Q
Werner said, “We put sensors and recording equipment onto

HELICOPTERS
ROBINSON DELIVERS SIX

HELICOPTERS

additional R22s and the R44 Cadets, bringing its current
Robinson fleet to nine.
Robinson Helicopter Company has delivered three R44 YiFei president, Qian JiYun, stated his goal is to provide
Cadets and three R22s to Robinson dealer General Aviation students with the most technologically advanced training
Services of Hunan, China. helicopters in China.
This marks the first delivery of an R44 Cadet to China. YiFei’s chief pilot Li ZhiYu said he believed the Cadets will
All six helicopters were ordered on behalf of YiFei General allow students to transition easily into larger helicopters.
Aviation Company which specialises in helicopter management, Robinson Helicopter Company along with its international
operation, and training. dealer network is proud to further the advancement of flight
YiFei has been using Robinsons since 2016. Impressed by the training by providing high quality, reliable helicopters to flight
helicopters’ performance, the company elected to purchase schools around the world. Q

World Airnews | May Extra 2020
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