Product Focus - Aerospace and Aircraft Components


Inside DSEI takes an in-depth look at what’s new in the Aerospace sector, from innovative new products and systems to news from within the industry.


SPRA Radar


The rapidly increasing need for mobility and correspondingly tighter SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) requirements has created demand for lightweight payloads, and the trend of migration to higher frequencies as the EM spectrum gets crowded makes this


QinetiQ has been awarded a five year contract, worth £16 million, to provide test and evaluation services to the MOD in support of its Merlin Life Sustainment Programme


miniaturisation task even harder and more expensive. SPRA Defence & Aerospace was selected to lead the way resolving this issue.


In June 2012, the company was awarded an R&D grant from Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology for developing a small, lightweight Synthetic Aperture Radar/ Ground Moving Target Indicator Radar system. As a result, SPRA has developed compact, small, lightweight systems that utilise highly parallel


and power aware designs in a lightweight, low phase noise and agile frequency synthesiser for UAV SATCOM payloads. Specifications include; 15 cm image resolution, up to 3km range, weight of less than 5kg and power dissipation less than 80W.


SPRA’s Radar is intended for use as payload on mini-tactical UAVs, as well as MALE UAVs and other manned platforms. For more information, visit www.spra.com.tr


QinetiQ awarded Merlin contract


(MLSP). This contract will see the conversion of 25 Mk 3/3A Merlin helicopters, currently operated by the RAF, to be operated by the Royal Navy for maritime operations.


QinetiQ will work closely with AgustaWestland, who will be undertaking the conversion work, to provide the MOD Merlin Project Team (PT) with independent technical and safety advice, as well as testing and support to the certification of the Interim and Full Operating Capability. The contract will be delivered utilising the Long


Term Partnership Agreement (LTPA), a 25 year, £5.6bn contract between the MOD and QinetiQ. The Merlin PT will benefit from the facilities and expertise, including military test pilots and flight test engineers available at MOD Boscombe Down under the terms of the LTPA.


Gaz Borland, Managing Director for Air Division at QinetiQ said, “We are very pleased to have been awarded this contract which not only illustrates the value we can bring to MOD Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) as independent advisors but also ensures that the skills and expertise gained on the Merlin aircraft over the last 20 years are sustained.”


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