QinetiQ, Royal Navy sign contract to optimise gunnery training

QinetiQ has signed a new five-year contract with the Royal Navy that will see the introduction of a dedicated training variant of QinetiQ’s Pointer system to optimise the effectiveness of Anti-Surface Warfare training on a wide range of weapon systems.

Developed in partnership with the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the Pointer data analytics and measurement system provides an effective link between the Command and Control function and weapon operators to counter threats from Fast In-shore Attack Craft (FIAC). The adoption of Pointer T in Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) exercises for the Royal Navy will improve situational awareness and performance evaluation on a range of platforms, while also providing immediate and objective training assurance for all non-firing FP serials.

Featuring a weapon-mounted Laser Range Finder, Pointer Tuses encoders to establish the precise position and attitude of weapon systemsas well as the location of GPS-tracked threats and determines the nature andimpact of ‘hits’. This data is recorded and displayed in real time on aportable situational awareness tool, providing trainers with accurate andmeasurable performance data to maximise the effectiveness of trainingexercises.

“The introduction of Pointer T will provide invaluablefeedback and data analytics for FOST trainers while also helping to engage andmotivate gunnery teams,” says QinetiQ’s Stuart Hider, Maritime Programmes director.  “Countering the current and emerging threatsof piracy, terrorist attack and threats from more capable nations is vital forall platforms, and this advanced training solution will not only improvesituational awareness but also help to determine the most effective tactics toemploy for any given threat.”

“Pointer T will provide us with a highly responsive andcost-effective system to optimise our training capabilities and performance inFP training against small boats and SWARM (coordinated multi FIAC) serials,”says Lt. Cdr. Richard Dobson, Royal Navy Surface Warfare trainer.