AMS has partnered with QinetiQ, one of Europe’s leading technology solutions providers, on two related maritime applied research programmes (ARP). The work will mature and demonstrate advanced maritime sensor integration and combat system technologies for current and future Royal Navy (RN) surface ships.
This signals the start of a strategic partnership between the two companies which is aimed at harnessing the wealth of UK research technology and expertise and exploiting this work across Royal Navy fleet in future sensors and combat systems.
AMS is bringing many years of sensors research from a wide range of programmes, including the MESAR and SAMPSON programmes. AMS is also the developer and supplier of command systems across all Royal Navy platforms, including the Type 23 and Type 45, which are of particular importance in this work. The AMS/QinetiQ partnership will therefore provide MoD with a delivery mechanism which will ensure that the outputs of these programmes are pulled through into the fleet.
The activities are to be run as parallel programmes, both sponsored by the Director Equipment Capability (Above Water Effects), DEC(AWE):
--Advanced Integration and Management of Maritime Sensors (AIMMS) is a £5 million programme which is intended to identify, evaluate and demonstrate advanced multi-sensor fusion techniques. The intention is that a second phase would result in an at-sea demonstration aboard a Type 23 frigate.
--Combat System Integration, Interoperability and Performance (CSIIP) is looking at providing improved situational awareness and command-and-control functions to the combat system.
Taken together, the overall aim of DEC(AWE)’s research programme is to evolve current combat systems by “network-enabling” them within the framework of the emerging NEC battlespace. Not only will it seek to improve the performance of single-ship operations, but also force operations, potentially in a multi-national context. Specific operational issues to be addressed include the need to optimise the detection and tracking of stressing air or surface targets and improved long range detection and identification of targets, whether in open-water or the littoral environment.
The MoD wants the programmes to advise on the risks and whole-life-costs associated with the increased effectiveness which is expected. In turn this will inform the business cases for the potential provision of these capabilities to the Type 23 frigates (with and without Co-operative Engagement Capability [CEC]) and the new Type 45 destroyers. In addition, the research outputs may also be used to inform the Future Surface Combatant programme, CVF and possibly even retro-fitting other vessels where appropriate.
Both contracts have been let to QinetiQ’s Maritime Weapon System Integration group at Portsdown West, with AMS being the teaming partner. The partnership seeks to achieve synergy through AMS and QinetiQ sharing their respective research expertise, combined with AMS’s UK market position for naval sensors and command systems, ensuring that the results of both programmes can be exploited across the RN fleet.
AMS is an equal shares joint venture between Finmeccanica of Italy and BAE Systems of the UK. AMS is a multi-national electronic systems company specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of radar and mission critical command, control and management systems to defence forces and air traffic management authorities throughout the world. It employs 7,100 people, has a turnover in excess of 1.35bn Euro with a healthy order book of 3.3bn Euro which underpins its ambitious growth plans for the next four years. AMS has an established customer base in over 100 countries.
QinetiQ (pronounced ki' ne tik as in 'kinetic energy') is one of Europe's leading technology solutions providers that employs nearly 10,000 staff, including many of the UK's leading scientists and internationally acclaimed experts. Founded from the laboratories of the UK Government, today QinetiQ operates in markets as diverse as marine, energy, telecommunications, automotive, rail, electronics, defence, space, health, oil & gas, aerospace and information technology. QinetiQ's facilities include indoor and outdoor ranges, wind tunnels, marine testing facilities, automotive test tracks and climatic testing laboratories.
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AMS Signs Contracts with Qinetiq on Strategic NEC Maritime Research Programmes
