HMS Duncan neutralises swarms of drones during QinetiQ exercise

Working in collaboration with Fleet Operational Standards and Training, QinetiQ managed a challenging and dynamic training environment that saw HMS Duncan having to defend itself while facing a number of simultaneous threats.

The ship was put through its paces in a scenario designed by Inzpire, a QinetiQ-owned company that specialises in creating immersive and realistic military training solutions. Live and synthetic drones, including QinetiQ’s Banshee Whirlwind aerial targets and Hammerhead uncrewed surface vehicles were used to target the ship alongside simulated threats such as cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles and an assortment of enemy aircraft to increase the intensity of the attack.

The training environment at MOD Aberporth tested the full spectrum of the ship’s offensive and defensive capabilities from initial detection to neutralisation - both in the day and overnight - replicating real-life deployments.

The crew successfully met their objectives, tracking and neutralising five aerial targets, as well as sinking two Hammerheads.

Will Blamey, Chief Executive, UK Defence, QinetiQ, said: “We are proud to deliver dynamic, real-life scenarios that best prepare our armed forces for the complex warfare challenges of today and tomorrow.

“Our combination of live and synthetic threats mean we can deliver training scenarios that provide the very latest in threat representation, helping our warfighters to achieve mission-readiness at pace.”

Commander Dan Lee, UK Royal Navy, said: “The realism of Sharpshooter, particularly the engagement of dynamic moving targets using operational procedures, gave my Ship’s Company the opportunity to prove they are ready to defend, ready to fight and ready to win. My team fully embraced the challenge and leave this exercise more confident, more capable and better prepared.”

QinetiQ provides test and training to the UK armed forces, designing and delivering exercises across land, air, sea and cyber.

In December, the Netherland Navy’s HNLMS Evertsen took part in another QinetiQ-run exercise, strengthening training alignment across NATO members to improve collective readiness.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About QinetiQ

QinetiQ is an integrated global defence and security company focused on mission-led innovation. We employ c.8,000 highly-skilled people, committed to creating new ways of protecting what matters most; testing technologies, systems, and processes to make sure they meet operational needs; and enabling customers to deploy new and enhanced capabilities with the assurance they will deliver the performance required. Visit our website www.QinetiQ.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and X @QinetiQ.

About Inzpire

Founded in 2005, and part of the QinetiQ Group since 2018, Inzpire is an award-winning supplier of advanced defence training, technical services and products. We are a trusted partner of the UK MOD, employing highly experienced former military personnel alongside engineers and business professionals to deliver capable solutions across defence, public and private sectors.