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A Journey Shared

LONG TERM PARTNERING AGREEMENT

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Training in submarine escapes 5

Taking part in Europe’s biggest military exercise – Joint Warrior 7

Platform readiness and cross-site collaboration 9

Glock pistols: thoroughly trialled and tested 11

Supporting urgent combat air requirements 13

Countering attack by fast in-shore craft 15

Sharing our amazing spaces 17

Transportable maritime ranges in the Gulf 19

Keeping our range neighbours safe, aware and informed 21

Assuring the next generation of People Who Know How 23

Contents

It is now over a decade since the MOD Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) was established with QinetiQ. The LTPA is now administered for the MOD by the Trials, Evaluation Services and Targets (TEST) Team in Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and is available to DE&S Project Teams, the Armed Services and Defence industry.

Under the LTPA, QinetiQ manages 17 core MOD owned sites and is responsible for providing Test & Evaluation and training support services; maintaining associated equipment, land and buildings; and for delivering an investment programme to ensure that the capability is maintained and developed to meet the MOD’s evolving needs.

Much has been achieved over this time, with the evaluation of a wide variety of military capabilities to ensure their reliability and fitness for purpose. This has been delivered through technical excellence and, importantly, as the result of the relationship that exists between MOD and QinetiQ.

The full extent of capabilities on offer through the LTPA is extensive; this booklet highlights some notable examples from the last few years.

Time does not stand still and we will continue to shape the LTPA to meet future UK defence needs in the years to come.

Cathy O’Carroll Gp Capt Andy TaitLTPA Director TEST Team LeaderQinetiQ DE&S

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LTPA A Journey Shared

Submarines are vital for security but operate in a challenging environment. MOD must undertake real-world testing of procedures and equipment in order to ensure crew safety.

Training in submarine escapes

In 2003, in order to assess an escape from a Logistics Escape Tower (LET), runs were conducted from a Vanguard Class submarine on the Loch Goil QinetiQ-managed MOD sea ranges. These submarines are fitted with both single-man towers forward and a LET in the aft compartment that is capable of allowing two crew to escape in one cycle and is large enough to permit the transfer of stores in sub-sunk situations.

In 2012, several unmanned escape cycles were performed from the Forward Escape Tower (FET) to prove all systems were correct ahead of 16 manned runs being completed, including ‘last man out’ drills. Haslar’s Maritime Life Support team was onboard HMS Astute to gather data as the submarine conducted both escape and rescue exercises in western Scotland.

In the first phase, members of the crew were ‘rescued’ by the Submarine Rescue Vessel from the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) once it had mated to Astute’s Escape Towers. In the second phase, a team of Royal Navy escape instructors conducted multiple escape runs from the FET. Once on the surface, they were recovered by a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and transferred for medical assessment onto supporting vessels equipped with decompression facilities.

In such training scenarios on LTPA ranges, QinetiQ is responsible for overseeing planning and support. Furthermore, we have a duty of care to protect all the people and the assets involved. Stakeholders are many and various so efficient communication and operational coordination is essential, both before and during trials, to ensure aims are successfully achieved and that safety is always top priority.

“Support and coordination from the QinetiQ team was professional in every way during both of these demanding exercises. I am pleased to say that everything went well and we received a comprehensive demonstration of the Astute Class submarine’s rescue and escape capabilities.”Adrian Laming, Astute Class Escape and Rescue Requirement Owner

At MOD Loch Goil, HMS Astute dived between the buoys to a steady tower depth of 30 metres to replicate a distressed submarine.

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Controlled instrumented battle spaces provide realistic scenarios for the test and evaluation of military personnel and equipment.

Taking part in Europe’s biggest military exercise – Joint Warrior

“Being able to base ourselves at BUTEC and draw upon the considerable resources you offer is an immense advantage when establishing a busy Forward Logistics Site.”Captain R M Allen, Royal Navy, Director Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff

Troops of the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery load a 105mm Light Gun during Exercise Joint Warrior in Scotland.

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The opportunity arises annually to comprehensively test combat skills across all disciplines as part of a full maritime military exercise. This is Exercise Joint Warrior, NATO and Europe’s largest such military exercise, and it takes place over a large expanse of Scotland. A massive endeavour, it draws in some 12,000 personnel from the UK, the United States, Canada and eight European partners in a multi-threat environment. It is here that allied units can work and train in a replicated, volatile and complex situation typically involving over 40 warships, 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 30 helicopters.

Joint Warrior is an essential training ground for personnel about to be deployed into theatre. Airborne infantry, artillery, engineers, medics and logisticians develop readiness for short-notice deployment anywhere in the world. The exercise hones their skills, enabling them to conduct the complete range of military operations in preparation for a possible Combined Joint Task.

For QinetiQ, operating a number of core MOD test and evaluation (T&E) ranges in Scotland within the air and maritime domains, Joint Warrior relies on our resources to establish Forward Logistics Sites (FLS) in places such as the Kyle of Lochalsh; in this instance, using BUTEC (British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre) as a base for the coordination of boat, helicopter and vehicle transfers for both personnel and critical stores.

At MOD West Freugh and at the MOD Hebrides ranges, our site management capabilities come to the fore as we de-risk the equipment used in the exercise. The Hebrides has a long association with Joint Warrior and the large volume of airspace, which is the UK’s largest Air Danger Area, comes into its own for fast jet activity. The real time positional information on assets and the telemetry information for trial analysis captured here aids evaluation of the exercise. At Cape Wrath and Garvie Island, both locations owned by Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the scope of Joint Warrior is further extended with the wide variety of weapons-firing options available at this north-western outpost. Unique in Europe, the Garvie Island area used in Joint Warrior 2012 is the only place in the UK where live 1,000lb bombs can be dropped.

Royal Navy personnel from the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) attach an underslung load to a Merlin helicopter during Exercise Scottish Lion in the South West of Scotland.

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Phased infrastructure improvements over the last decade have meant many more fully-optimised trials programmes across Scottish LTPA ranges.

Platform readiness and cross-site collaboration

“Execution of the plan went smoothly; this is in no small part down to the combined flexibility and forethought demonstrated by all to ensure that individual serials happened at the required time with the right assets in place”. Lt Ed Notley, Tactical Systems Officer, HM Royal Navy

A mine countermeasures vessel hunting targets on the BUTEC range.

At the beginning of the LTPA in 2003, the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre, BUTEC, in the Kyle of Lochalsh, was the range of choice for underwater weapon-tracking trials. This well established range offered a byelaw-protected, secure and sanitised environment for trials. At that time, the Range Tracking System (RTS) offered only acoustic tracking and it was acknowledged that there was potential for much more. Upgrading began in earnest in 2005. By 2009, adoption of open architecture solutions permitted standardised development of controlled changes.

In 2010, further LTPA investment resulted in pan-QinetiQ radar integration improvements. Electronic Warfare Capability transferred to BUTEC from Skipness in 2012; accelerated technological and infrastructure developments promptly began to yield greater value from every customer visit to the range.

Sophisticated instrumented environments for signature services soon became the norm, as did cross-site collaboration. Tracking of aircraft was now possible through MOD Aberporth’s electro-optical trackers and Funtington’s Groundlark Radar Cross Section and Sonobuoy test facility.

Effective integration led to system-based testing and trialling becoming a reality. By ensuring that infrastructure investment was done at a strategic level across multiple MOD sites, increasingly complex and realistic trials and training could be undertaken. Platform utilisation grew to include electronic warfare calibration, radar cross-section, sonar testing and weapon firings. Additionally, at nearby Rona, in-water radiated noise measurement could be conducted, giving the platform the potential for 24-hour working.

In ranges such as BUTEC, Rona and Applecross, infrastructure development continues to offer opportunities to augment programmes, deliver increasingly complex trials, and create realistic operational training settings.

Merlin Mk 1 from 829 Naval Air Squadron in the sights of the QinetiQ Electro-Optic Tracker after a successful Sting Ray drop on the BUTEC range.

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Following an in-depth endurance and testing programme, the British Army’s latest side arm is now in use by all three Armed Forces.

Glock pistols: thoroughly trialled and tested

More than 25,000 new side arms and holsters were issued in a £9m contract that saw the removal from service of the Browning 9mm pistol and the P226 SIG Sauer. Having shortlisted seven handgun manufacturers, the MOD approached QinetiQ to conduct the test and evaluation of the design safety and suitability of candidate pistols. Combining a variety of expertise, we designed and developed a complex trials programme delivered in a tightly-scheduled comprehensive assessment of the new firearm. The facilities involved included those at the firing ranges at MOD Pendine and MOD Shoeburyness. Fort Halstead provided the technical and project management support.

The overall trial comprised a series of tests that put the weapons through every conceivable scenario that they might face in military service. The environmental phase included temperature cycling plus shock and vibration exercises. The pistols were also subjected to a variety of rough handling trials, such as being dropped from a height of one metre onto meadowland and concrete, immersion in a mud bath, and firing in freezing, driving rain.

The handguns were put through endurance firings where they were tested to the end of their effective life. At the end of the programme, approximately 78,000 rounds had been fired across all weapons. The chosen pistol, the 9mm Glock 17, is lighter, more accurate and has a larger magazine capacity than any of its forerunners.

The pistol undergoing sand drag and dust tests.

“This important acquisition programme was managed by QinetiQ through the LTPA. Coordination was highly challenging, but they pulled all the test and evaluation elements together and really made it happen.”

Phil Page, Lethality Team leader in Soldier Systems Programmes, DE&S

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A Royal Marine demonstrates the new Glock pistol at a media facility held at Woolwich Barracks.

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Access to the right equipment at the right time is vital on the front line.

Supporting urgent combat air requirements

A pilot’s view from the cockpit of a Royal Air Force Typhoon multi role fighter jet.

Under the LTPA, QinetiQ delivers the test and evaluation of military and civil platforms, systems, weapons and components across the land, sea and air domains. Never is this ability to deliver excellence under pressure more demonstrable than in response to an urgent requirement from our customer. Frequently, this means that standard military equipment may have to be modified or supplemented to suit conditions and results must be delivered fast, while at the same time meeting the same stringent criteria used to evaluate the procurement of regular UK Armed Forces equipment.

The UK’s participation in March 2011 in the international coalition to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya meant a number of urgent requests were issued to accelerate clearances of the British fleet of Typhoon aircraft. Tornado GR4s were also given enhanced capability. The standard RAF Typhoon needed to be cleared to refuel at nominated Italian airbases, so a team from MOD Boscombe Down carried out the assessments necessary to have the aircraft cleared for limited front line operations with a new fuel type. This was achieved within two weeks of the initial military briefing.

Other urgent clearance requirements gave both Typhoon and Tornado GR4 aircraft increased defensive capabilities through new computing configurations and clearance activities.

Short turnarounds were vital to enable the enhanced aircraft to enter service within days of the requests, the introduction of the ASRAAM missile onto Tornado within 18 hours of tasking being a prime example.

Similarly the Brimstone missile, originally designed as a radar guided anti-armour weapon to support Cold War operations, but integrated onto Tornado GR4 by QinetiQ as a dual mode seeker variant in 2008, to allow its use against a wider range of vehicles and fixed targets, was further cleared for use in Tornado mixed load configurations with the Paveway IV precision guided bomb. This provided a much enhanced and flexible operational capability for Tornado operations over both Libya and Afghanistan. Facilities at MOD Shoeburyness and MOD Boscombe Down collaborated, coordinating expertise and stakeholders to meet an extraordinarily tight schedule using QinetiQ resources available under the LTPA.

Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft wait for their next sortie from Gioia del Colle Air Base in Italy, during Operation Ellamy, the UK contribution to help enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.

“We already have in place the facilities through the LTPA to help us respond to urgent requirements efficiently and cost-effectively. We are just making maximum use of the resources that we have and the more we put through the LTPA, the greater value we get from it.” Steve Attrill, LTPA Operations Manager, DE&S TEST PT

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The aim was to test in a realistic scenario, the end-to-end deployment of this rapidly developed game-changing new weapon system. Following a series of seeker development trials, a multi-disciplinary team of specialists came together in a seamless endeavour in 2012. A Tornado launched from RAF Coningsby successfully acquired and intercepted a remotely-controlled sea target at MOD Aberporth.

Building on this success, the next phase was to demonstrate a surface-launched salvo attack against a target group. This would replicate the real-world defence of a high-value asset against an attack.

Despite a demanding schedule (only two months from contract to first trial) safety of the public, operational personnel and assets was, as always, top priority.

The project’s first challenge was to find a suitable location, a coastal launch site with a sufficiently large uninhabited area. MOD West Freugh in Scotland, a former RAF bombing range, was chosen. It has around 380sq km of sea danger area which can be cleared of all shipping. Specially-built fast targets incorporating remote-control systems and high-speed cameras were deployed.

The weapons were launched from a bespoke temporary platform that required a novel means of safely transporting and firing the live weapons.

Following a successful proof-of-concept firing, a world first was achieved with a salvo of three weapons successfully defeating three separate targets and demonstrating the system’s fire-and-forget capability to an MBDA-invited audience. With powerful long-range tracking cameras along the shore observing and recording how the missiles performed, together with cameras situated on the platform and the target craft, video footage was captured for analysis.


Demonstrating capability against a group of marine targets the size of dinghies – and doing it safely – means meeting the most exacting standards.

Countering attack by fast in-shore craft

One of the specialist high-speed (50+ knot) remotely-controlled targets successfully intercepted by the modified Brimstone weapon.Salvo of three modified Brimstone weapons fired at MOD West Freugh.

“This demonstration represented a significant milestone in the development of an anti FIAC capability. MBDA trust QinetiQ to deliver on their side, so that we can concentrate on looking at the weapon performance.

The thing that impressed me was the way that MBDA and QinetiQ both managed to overcome a number of major challenges and still achieve a successful result on time.”Simon Forsyth, MBDA Programme Manager

It is a challenge to detect and track small, fast-moving targets in complex coastal environments. It can also be difficult to mount an effective defence against them; especially when the attack is from a group of heavily armed vessels. However, this is the reality facing military and commercial shipping across the world. To counter the threat from fast in-shore attack craft (FIAC), weapons manufacturer MBDA modified its battle-proved Brimstone weapon and turned to the LTPA to help develop, test and then demonstrate its new capability.

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A Journey Shared

Trial-based test and evaluation activities can mean pressure on sensitive environments, so we take special care to protect threatened habitats.

Sharing our amazing spaces

QinetiQ manages a diverse range of sites on behalf of the MOD and some of these places are life support systems for nationally and internationally important flora and fauna. Many of these sites have formal conservation designations to protect habitats, species and also cultural and historical features such as Scheduled and Ancient Monuments (SAM).

An essential part of our work is undertaking Sustainability Appraisals that evaluate a range of environmental and socio-economic impacts of site activities as appropriate. We liaise with the relevant MOD officers across the sites and our own project teams to identify and implement avoidance measures, control measures and any necessary mitigation for a particular task. These appraisals are carried out for a range of activities, including operational trials, capability investments and estates maintenance. Our efforts are underpinned by a robust Environmental Management System certified to ISO14001. We are responsible for the day-to-day management of our sites as we go about delivering extensive test, evaluation and training services, smoothly and efficiently.

The corn bunting, among numerous other Britishnative birds, thrives at MOD Shoeburyness.

Dauphin helicopter on the pad in St Kilda’s Village Bay.

LTPA

“QinetiQ-managed sites typify the MOD estate in that they support a very diverse range of species and habitats across large areas that act as increasingly important wildlife reservoirs – and they have a high profile among statutory bodies and wider stakeholders. Our responsible stewardship of these sites is essential to facilitate future trials and development.” Oliver Howells, Ecologist, Defence Infrastructure Organisation

Trials take place within a context of complex regulatory requirements. Balancing these with our conservation obligations and ensuring compliance with our joint sustainability policies, demands skill and sensitivity. We support these commitments through regular consultations with conservation groups and the statutory conservation bodies in England, Scotland and Wales. Working within the framework of the LTPA, we are proud of our record in environmental stewardship and we have received a number of Sanctuary Awards for conservation work.

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Taking ranging facilities to deployed Royal Navy vessels supports in-theatre confidence.

Transportable maritime ranges in the Gulf

“It’s the specialist, knowledgeable and highly experienced QinetiQ staff who carry out the ranging tests, interpret the results and make suggestions on how the stealth performance of the mine hunters can be improved.” Rob Wild, Project Manager, MOD

Not having to return to port for vital safety and efficiency checks can mean considerable savings; time and money. QinetiQ’s experts in the specialist fields of magnetics, acoustics and noise and vibration, work alongside divers and engineering support teams to provide fully-equipped mobile ranges that can do this work, to places such as the Persian Gulf. This activity is underpinned by the LTPA and means that the teams operating these ranges are able to offer essential support to the Royal Navy’s deployed vessels, such as mine sweepers, which, crucially, can remain in situ while they carry out checks and enhancements, including optimising electromagnetic signature performance and collection of data for tactical appreciation.

Although much of the activity involved is in calibration and material assessment and in recommending system and machinery configurations, our teams add value whenever possible by incorporating inspection of shore-side facilities and education of stores and engineering staff in magnetic hygiene.

The use of maritime transportable ranges has the added advantage of being able to assist in highlighting issues that may have arisen since a vessel was initially deployed, thereby identifying any problems and providing quality and safety assurance in-theatre. The training benefit to QinetiQ and the LTPA is evident, as engineers and data analysts gain intensive ‘on-site’ experience beyond the traditional range capabilities based in the UK.

HMS Atherstone anchored in Manama, Bahrain.Transferring back to shore at the end of range work on HMS Atherstone.

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Concerted community forewarningand reassurance helps sustain goodlocal relationships.

Keeping our range neighbours safe, aware and informed

MOD Shoeburyness, a Top Tier COMAH site (Control of Major Accident Hazards) in Essex, is required to communicate awareness of the hazardous nature of some of the activities conducted on the range. Our dedicated web pages flag up forthcoming activity and adviseresidents and visitors about possibleimpacts from activity on the range. This may be audible, from explosive ordnance disposal training or gunfire trials; or it may be visual, perhaps smoke emanating from trials. It is notable that, because of our proactive relationship with the community, the number of complaints received at Shoeburyness concerning operations has reduced considerably over the past ten years.

This good work does not go unnoticed.Essex County Council regards MOD Shoeburyness as a model for good COMAH practice and uses QinetiQ’s public safety information campaign to demonstrate to other COMAH sites how best to fulfil their obligations with ‘warn and inform’ communications.

In addition, our STEM outreach and education programmes help to establish strong and positive relationships with local schools, all of which nurture respect for unique and historic English, Welsh and Scottish environments.

QinetiQ may be global, but we work hard close to home. We are committed to respecting the community and keeping it safe, on side and informed about the work we carry out on the MOD ranges we manage.

Public information about range activity needs to be clear, timely and relevant.

QinetiQ’s public relations efforts at MOD Shoeburyness demonstrate that dialogue with local communities can have a very positive influence.

“We are confident that QinetiQis doing everything possible to manage and reduce impactsand keep local communitiesinformed of anything that may affect them.” Group Captain Andy Tait, TEST Team Leader

At MOD Aberporth, MOD Pendine and MOD Shoeburyness, we work with the local authorities to keep key stakeholders and the public informed of any range activities that may affect them. With our Advance Alert Service and site-specific websites, local residents, businesses and visitors to the area can benefit from a better understanding of the work we do and when they can safely use the public rights of way or cross the Sea Danger Areas. Having channels in place to alert the local community can be very useful for trials planners and managers, particularly if an activity has to be cancelled or postponed at short notice due to a change in requirement. Even a change in the weather or tides can have an adverse impact.

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QinetiQ’s continuing success lies in attracting more young people into technical, scientific and engineering roles.

Assuring the next generation of People Who Know How

“The success of the LTPA depends on the availability of highly skilled people just as much as specialised facilities and equipment, and this means getting the right people into the right posts. The Apprentice Training School at MOD Boscombe Down plays a vital role in securing this goal.” Group Captain Andy Tait, TEST Team Leader

Trainees take an Advanced Level Apprenticeship course in one of four Apprenticeships: Mechanical Maintenance Aeronautical Engineering; Avionics Maintenance Aeronautical Engineering; Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering; and Electrical Engineering Maintenance. Initial training concentrates on the core engineering hand skills and basic academic training leading to the completion of an engineering National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).

Tuition staff are highly-trained, qualified and experienced. Some are ex-military, having practised their aeronautical and engineering trades in the Royal Navy, the Army or the Royal Air Force, or from industry.

They foster an innovative learning environment within the School that can boast an exceptional training completion rate.

Twenty-nine apprentices graduated in 2013 and these young people follow in the footsteps of many of QinetiQ’s managers and Fellows who began their own careers as apprentices.

Our CEO, Leo Quinn, is an ardent champion of apprenticeship and graduate programmes and is determined that we can create a still wider range of roles offering apprentice and graduate entry. The 5% Club, led by Leo for QinetiQ, is a campaign to get the UK’s companies to commit to raising the number of apprentices, graduates and sponsored students on formal programmes to 5% of their total workforce within the next five years.

A dedicated facility for the training of aircraft technicians was first built at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire in 1969 under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence Procurement Executive. Now run by QinetiQ, but still part funded by the MOD, this award-winning Apprentice Training School at MOD Boscombe Down has its future assured by externally recognised qualifications and robust plans for growth.

It is a commitment we are making for our future and an endorsement of young people wanting to grow with us. Originally established to train few more than a dozen aircraft technicians a year, expansion has meant that, in 2013, there were 106 young people in training from DSTL and QinetiQ Air and Weapons Divisions spread across four year groups.

2012 graduating apprentice Sam Prichard, aeronautical engineering.

Cody Technology Park Ively Road Farnborough Hampshire GU14 0LXUnited KingdomTel +44 (0) 8700 100 942www.QinetiQ.com

For more information and enquiries:www.ltpa.co.ukTel: 0800 015 0594

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