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Combined Aerial Target Service

Under the CATS programme, QinetiQ is bringing into service four different aerial targets for use in air defence trials and training by the UK MOD.

  • Banshee basic aerial target
  • Voodoo intermediate aerial target
  • Mirach advanced aerial target
  • Pop-up ground based helicopter target

Banshee, Voodoo and Pop-up will be used mainly by the Army for ground based air defence training, while Mirach will be used by the Air Force and Navy for air-to-air and ship-to-air engagements. The CATS programme supersedes the existing providers and contracts to deliver an integrated service over 20 years to meet the UK's subsonic target needs worldwide.
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Banshee supplied by Meggitt Defence Systems launching in the Hebrides
Banshee supplied by Meggitt Defence Systems launching in the Hebrides
Pop-up supplied by Meggitt defence systems - provides a realistic helicopter threat
Pop-up supplied by Meggitt defence systems - provides a realistic helicopter threat
Pop-up is typically deployed in a tactically realistic scenario
Pop-up is typically deployed in a tactically realistic scenario
Voodoo supplied by Meggitt Defence Systems - a new system for UK users
Voodoo supplied by Meggitt Defence Systems - a new system for UK users
Voodoo uses the same payloads and ground control systems as Banshee
Voodoo uses the same payloads and ground control systems as Banshee
Mirach supplied by Selex Galileo uses rocket assisted take-off to minimise launch area requirements
Mirach supplied by Selex Galileo uses rocket assisted take-off to minimise launch area requirements
QinetiQ civilian staff will take on the embarked operations currently delivered by 792 NAS
QinetiQ civilian staff will take on the embarked operations currently delivered by 792 NAS
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What is an aerial target service?
MOD will use the CATS service for training and to conduct trials of air defence systems. Only so much can be achieved through the use of simulators, non-firing engagement and combat manoeuvres.

Realistic targets are configured to emulate aerial threats such as missile, helicopter and aircraft to allow safe live fire engagements. These in turn provide

  • operator training
  • weapon system trials
  • test and evaluation
  • capability demonstration
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The CATS service can be delivered anywhere in the world
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Hebrides Base location for Voodoo capability  
Aberporth Base location for Mirach capability  
Manorbier Base location for Banshee capability  
Boscombe Down HQ management cell  
Embarked operations on RN ships firing venues 
USA (McGregor, Camp Lejeune, China Lake, Point Mugu) 
Castlemartin*   
Falklands*   
Vidsel, Sweden   
Norway   
BATUS, Canada*   
Utska, Poland   
High seas (North Sea, Iceland, Worldwide   
* Operations planned in 2008   
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Related sections
> QinetiQ achieves commencement of service for the Combined Aerial Target Service to UK's armed forces
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