Qinetiq Wins $1.2 Billion Contract To Modernize UK Military Test, Evaluation Services

Qinetiq has won a £1 billion ($1.26 billion) contract from the UK Ministry of Defense to upgrade the test and evaluation services that is being delivered at three sites across the kingdom.

Under a 25-year long-term partnering agreement (LTPA), the company has been providing test and evaluation services to the MoD since 2004, the company announced Friday.

A mid-term revision of the contract has resulted in investments in a number of areas.  This will include the modernization and continued operation of air ranges at MoD Aberporth in Wales and MoD Hebrides in Scotland, plus test aircrew training at the Empire Test Pilots’ School at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire.

The MoD and Qinetiq are investing £180 million into the modernization of these facilities and equipment to support the continuation of the LTPA contract.

Some £95 million will be invested in new tracking equipment, instrumentation and range infrastructure at the Aberporth and Hebrides ranges, which will reduce the cost of operations.

At Boscombe Down, meanwhile, QinetiQ will work with the Royal Air Force’s Air Warfare Centre to introduce a new test pilot syllabus from 2019 that will bolster military training, as well as provide a new commercial test pilot qualification.

Another £85 million will be invested into replacing the fleet’s oldest aircraft with a new type, which will help reduce operating costs.

Flight Fleets Analyzer shows the Empire Test Pilots’ School as operating a number of Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets, BAE Systems Hawks and Shorts Tucanos, plus Airbus Helicopters Gazelles, all dating from the 1970 and 1980s.

The total contract is worth £5.6 billion, and covers services at 17 Ministry of Defense sites across the UK. A 25-year extension is an option once the current contract period is over.