New force in target systems from Meggitt transatlantic alliance
Meggitt, the global engineering group specialising in components and sub-systems for the aerospace, defence and energy sectors, is combining two of its units into a world-leading business providing targets for military training and weapon systems development.
Meggitt Defence Systems UK (MDS) and Meggitt Training Systems Canada (MTSC) have joined together as Meggitt Target Systems (MTAS). Uniting the two will enable Meggitt Target Systems to offer a broader range of targets and training services to armed forces around the globe.
Ashford, UK-based MDS produces the renowned Banshee, Jet Banshee and Snipe aerial targets and the Sprite range of marine surface unmanned vehicles. Products from MTSC, based in Medicine Hat, Alberta include the Hammerhead and Barracuda unmanned marine surface targets, the Vindicator aerial target, Mosquito helicopter target and the Badger unmanned ground vehicle target.
Mosquito, based on an ultra-light helicopter platform, utilises Meggitt’s proven advanced flight control system. The target fulfils the need for a sub-scale target that can emulate attack profiles for ground-based air defence, air-to-air and the emerging UAV helicopter threat. Meggitt Target Systems is the only company worldwide to offer a realistic, yet very low-cost remotely-controlled helicopter target.
To simplify the control and command aspect of handling multiple targets simultaneously and simplifying logistics, Meggitt plans to develop a common command and control system that will be able to handle MTS’s complete range of targets.
The Banshee aerial target is now in its fourth decade of service, having been continually updated. A classic example of Meggitt’s progressive product design, the range of Banshee models has grown from a single piston engine to incorporating one, then two jet engines, boosting its speed from 200kts to 350kts. Thousands have been produced since its 1980s service entry, making it one of the world’s most popular target systems.
As well as hardware, MTAS will continue to provide turnkey operations through its field service teams. This capability to operate and repair its equipment in situ eliminates the risk of skills-fade among customers who use the target systems infrequently and ensures exercises continue to run smoothly.
MTAS’s constituent companies are known for their tight focus on creating avionics and autopilots for unmanned vehicles – autopilots that do precisely what are required of them without unnecessary complexities. This capability will be supported and grown in the new organisation.
Its engineering team has effectively doubled in size and is a particularly happy blend of specialisms, said Meggitt Target Systems’ managing director, Peter Longstaff: ‘There are two very talented engineering teams but they have slightly different areas of expertise.
“In Canada, the control theory side is very, very strong, while in the UK a similar strength lies in RF and datalinks.”
Both Ashford-based MDS and Medicine Hat-based MTSC will retain their individual sites but increased co-operation between the two will enable cross-pollination of ideas and problem-solving solutions. Teams from both facilities are already working on each other’s projects to maximise their complementary strengths.
“This is one of those cases where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” said Longstaff.
The merger will provide opportunities to cross-sell target systems to each other’s existing customers, as MTSC and MDS were traditionally focused on different markets.
“Our larger, more integrated range of products gives us the ability to offer customers a more complete, end-to-end solution for their needs,” Longstaff added.
Meggitt Target Systems made its trade debut at the CANSEC defence and security trade show in Ottawa in May, with a secondary launch for the European market planned at September’s Defence & Security Equipment International exhibition in London.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Meggitt Target Systems Managing Director peter.longstaff@meggitt.com or Group Head of Communications fiona.greig@meggitt.com
Meggitt Target Systems
Based in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada and Ashford, Kent, UK, Meggitt Target Systems provides world-leading unmanned aerial, marine and ground targets, scoring systems and payloads for weapon simulation and training programs. Over 40 years, Meggitt Target Systems and its antecedents has manufactured over 10,000 targets, in service in more than 40 countries, including 15 NATO customers. www.meggitttargetsystems.com
Meggitt PLC
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Meggitt PLC is an international group operating in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Known for its specialised extreme environment engineering, Meggitt is a world leader in aerospace, energy and defence. Meggitt employs nearly 11,000 people at around 40 manufacturing facilities and regional offices worldwide. www.meggitt.com