QinetiQ has delivered advanced target services in support of Cutlass Fury 2025, a multinational naval exercise held earlier this year off the coast of Canada, according to a press release.
Organised by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the biennial exercise brought together forces from Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States to strengthen anti-submarine warfare skills and air-maritime integration. This year marked QinetiQ’s fourth consecutive participation since 2019.
QinetiQ Target Systems supplied 12 Vindicator uncrewed aerial vehicle targets and six Hammerhead uncrewed surface vehicle targets, with each RCN vessel carrying two targets for the exercise. The systems were used to simulate real-world threats, enabling more effective and realistic training for participating forces.
“We are pleased to work with the crew of HMCS Montreal to provide uncrewed aerial and surface targets for advanced multinational task group training,” said John Le Blanc, Programme Manager at QinetiQ Target Systems. “Complex naval exercises like Cutlass Fury ensure that Canada and our international allies have world-class sailors, aviators, and soldiers ready for future challenges.”
A six-person QinetiQ team operated the targets during the event, which featured anti-air and surface gunnery drills alongside other RCN ships.
The company said its ongoing contract with the RCN allows it to continue supporting joint readiness operations with realistic training scenarios, aimed at improving combat effectiveness and interoperability among allied naval forces.
I’ve seen better grouping at the fairground.
“We’re going to need a bigger target”.
Would appear Vindicator a very tame target, Wikipedia quotes max speed 200 mph, range 100 nm, endurance 1.5 hrs & ceiling 3,000 ft
Fairey Swordfish had some succes at slow speeds, maybe that’s what they are thinking ?
It may well be as it appears suitable for pre-WWII