Case Studies - Defence

The Navy faced a difficult problem - How to provide a realistic environment in which to train Navy personnel but one which was also safe and reduced costs. In addition, ships engaged in sea trials can not be available for important operational requirements.

The QinetiQ Land Based Test Site was able to provide a Shore Integration Facility (SIF) which exactly replicates RN ships' operation rooms. It provides a realistic but safe environment to train Navy personnel and test new equipment without risk, and is much cheaper than using valuable ship's operational time for this purpose. Just one day's use of the SIF works out at 20-30 times cheaper than one equivalent day running a ship's trial.

QinetiQ was awarded a multi-million pound MOD contract to operate its Land Based Test Site (LBTS) for ships. As a result QinetiQ will run the Type 42 Destroyer and Type 23 Frigate shore integration facilities on behalf of MOD's Integrated Project Teams (IPT) for Major Warships and Frigates for the next five years. LBTS uses real Combat System equipment with stimulator and simulation systems to provide a unique testing and training environment for the Royal Navy.

The National Audit Office commented "The facility is a major success in that it has reduced the amount of time needed to set to work and carry out sea trials, and will reduce the reliance on ship time at sea for software, weapon and sensor update. The Department estimate that this could save six years of ship operational life across the (Type 23) class."