U.S. DoD Tests QinetiQ’s New Rattler Supersonic Target

QinetiQ, in partnership with the United States Department of Defense and White Sands Missile Range High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF), announced test flights of the first two Rattler Supersonic Target MkIs.

As part of the High Energy Laser Measurement (HELM) Rattler program and QinetiQ funded Research and Development project, the flights provided initial data for this target design variant. It also enabled the HELSTF Tracking Illuminating Laser System to acquire, track, and queue from a supersonic target at short range, aiding in Rattler variant development.

Emulating advanced missile threats, Rattler ST is a cost-effective supersonic target platform for threat replication, operational training, and system evaluation. QinetiQ is customizing the platform to support the U.S. Department of Defense’s HELM Rattler Program, integrating a third-party target board to measure high-energy laser characteristics in flight at supersonic speeds.

The $10 million program began in February 2022 and is set to conclude in mid-2024.