Case Studies - Defence

Conventional steel mast designs have a number of inherent problems.

• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) from equipment sited on the mast
• Restricted sensor siting options
• Limited sensor arcs of view
• High sensor maintenance costs due to the effects of wind, rain and salt water

QinetiQ won a major contract to provide an advanced technology communications and radar mast for the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal.

Virtually maintenance free, the advanced technology mast (ATM) substantially reduces long term costs. It is lighter and stealthier than conventional masts and crucially because it encloses the equipment within the structure, it provides protection from the environment.

The mast will carry a wide variety of radio frequency transmitters and receivers ranging from essential systems such as radar through to those carried for purely entertainment purposes such as televisions and radios.

Conventional steel masts have their equipment externally mounted where it is exposed to wind, rain, salt water and ice. In addition the equipment must be carefully sited as the steel structure can block the externally mounted sensors field of view.

Our engineers have solved these problems by putting the equipment inside the mast structure.

The Results and Benefits

The outer skin of the mast is made from frequency selective or 'tuned' composites and allows radar and communications equipment to 'see out'. Despite their sophistication the skins have been developed so that they can be manufactured using existing and well-established shipyard techniques. This means that large structures can still be built at reasonable initial cost and, over the life of the vessel, are significantly cheaper because of their low maintenance and the ease with which equipment can be upgraded.

Derek Barnes, Managing Director of QinetiQ Future Systems Technology Division said: "We are very pleased to have won this contract, which builds on many years of MOD funded development. It is a clear demonstration of the pull through of ground breaking research into front line service and is recognition of QinetiQ's ability to act in the role of Lead Systems Integrator for such projects."