According to a press release from QinetiQ, a joint QinetiQ-Inzpire team recently delivered “Sharpshooter,” a cutting-edge training exercise designed to enhance the Royal Navy’s preparedness for evolving surface and aerial threats.
Conducted last month off the coast within the Cardigan Bay Danger Area of the Ministry of Defence Aberporth Range, the exercise involved the crew of the Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate, HMS St. Albans.
The exercise, part of QinetiQ’s Long-Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) with the Ministry of Defence, incorporated both live and synthetic scenarios, simulating threats representative of operational deployment.
For the first time, Sharpshooter integrated QinetiQ’s Banshee Whirlwind aerial targets, operated under the Combined Aerial Target Service contract, alongside static surface targets.
The training scenarios, designed in collaboration with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Operational Standards & Training (FOST) team, tested the ship’s crew across a three-day period. The team tailored over 100 threat profiles to match the crew’s evolving requirements, including day and night operations. These profiles involved engaging both physical targets and synthetic threats, challenging the crew’s decision-making under complex conditions and allowing them to practice live firing with the ship’s medium and close-range weapon systems.
Commander Matthew Teare, Commanding Officer of HMS St. Albans, praised the exercise, saying: “The quality of training has been better than I have ever seen. It has been a career highlight thanks to the realism of the scenario. A fantastic experience and one which has been hugely beneficial to my ship’s company.”
The exercise, say the firm, utilised cutting-edge technology and expertise to create a realistic threat environment. The Banshee Whirlwind aerial targets, launched from Aberporth Range Head, simulated threats seen in operational theatres, while synthetic threats designed by Inzpire tested the ship’s operations room team.
Simon Galt, Managing Director, Air at QinetiQ, highlighted the focus on realism, stating:
“Our aim with Sharpshooter is to ensure as immersive, comprehensive and dynamic a training experience as possible, preparing the ship’s crew for the very current evolving threat landscape.” He added that the exercise showcased QinetiQ’s expertise in trials planning, delivery, and advanced Range safety knowledge.
Sharpshooter, which began in 2019 as a weapons functionality exercise, has evolved into a sophisticated training programme integrating live and synthetic domains. Contracted until 2028, QinetiQ will deliver multiple Sharpshooter exercises annually, with the next event scheduled for March 2025. These exercises aim to bolster the Royal Navy’s readiness to counter evolving threats and ensure maritime security for the UK and its allies.
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