Exercise Combat Archer: Enabling NATO Air Forces’ Operational Readiness

The exercise took place at MOD Hebrides and MOD Aberporth, two sites managed by QinetiQ under the Long-Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA). Working alongside USAFE and the Royal Air Force (RAF), QinetiQ supported with mission rehearsal, planning and specialist operational expertise, helping to create the conditions for the safe and effective delivery of the air-to-air weapons system evaluation exercise.

Combat Archer places aircraft, weapons systems and aircrew in challenging but realistic conditions, generating valuable operational insight and performance data. It also provides an opportunity for the RAF to train alongside a NATO ally, strengthening collaboration and shared understanding.

Participating aircraft included RAF Typhoons, RAF F-35Bs, F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the USAFE 48th Fighter Wing, supported by KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refuelling Wing. Evaluations were conducted by the Weapon System Evaluation Team (WSEP), from the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, based at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, where the Combat Archer exercises are usually held. For this year’s exercise, the WSEP team were hosted by QinetiQ at MOD Hebrides to conduct the evaluations.

This exercise marks the first time both MOD Hebrides and MOD Aberporth have been brought together to support a single defence exercise, highlighting the scale, flexibility and expertise available across the QinetiQ-operated sites. Teams at both sites delivered end-to-end range operations throughout the exercise, including the preparation, clearance and management of more than 120,000km² of air and land space, which is almost the size of England.

Combat Archer 2026 also represents further complex joint exercise delivery between QinetiQ UK and QinetiQ Germany, demonstrating the strength of QinetiQ’s integrated capabilities across Europe. Together, the teams delivered a comprehensive training exercise encompassing range infrastructure, target services and specialist operational expertise.

QinetiQ Germany’s specialist aviation expertise included a PC-12, D-RMT maritime patrol aircraft to monitor surrounding sea areas, and support range safety ahead of live-fire operations. The team supplied a banner target, towed by a PC-9B aircraft, creating further opportunities for crews to train and assess weapons performance in a representative operational environment.

QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) supported by providing Banshee Jet 80+ Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV), designed and manufactured in Ashford, Kent.

Lee Rowe, Mission Rehearsal Lead, QinetiQ said: “This year’s Combat Archer exercise demonstrated the unique breadth of capability QinetiQ offers. The expertise from our teams in both the UK and Germany supported the U.S Air Force and Royal Air Force in the delivery of realistic operational evaluation, strengthening interoperability between allied air forces.

“We deliver complex exercises, providing the assurance needed to maintain operational readiness and ensure forces are prepared.”