QinetiQ expands UK mine-hunting drone magnetic signature testing facility
QinetiQ installed a new six-meter water tank at its Magnetic Assessment Services facility in Dorset, UK, to test magnetic signatures of larger uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Mine Hunting Capability programme. The tank supports platforms like Iver4 580 and SeaCat AUVs, ensuring safe deployment in mine-threat environments. The facility is also open to external developers and aligns with UK hybrid navy strategy amid European mine clearance preparations in the Strait of Hormuz.
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QinetiQ expands UK mine-hunting drone testing facility at Portland
QinetiQ has installed a new six-metre water tank at the MOD Portland Bill facility in Dorset, UK, to measure and tune the magnetic signatures of uncrewed mine-hunting vessels being brought into service by the Royal Navy under the Mine Hunting Capability programme. The tank, measuring six by two metres and one and a half metres deep, allows engineers to record magnetic data from each vessel and its components, helping to reduce the risk that they trigger sea mines. The facility, operated under a Long Term Partnering Agreement with the Ministry of Defence, also certifies uncrewed vessels for safe operation in mine-threat environments. Testing occurs in a magnetically controlled area with a coil system that can replicate or nullify Earth's magnetic field. QinetiQ is opening the tank to external users via its Innovation Gateway. Jim Graham, QinetiQ's managing director for maritime and land, stated the investment supports safe deployment and enhanced maritime security for allied nations.
UK Defence JournalQinetiQ installs new water tank at Portland to boost UK mine-hunting drone testing
QinetiQ has installed a new six-metre water tank at the MOD Portland Bill facility in Dorset to measure and tune the magnetic signatures of uncrewed mine-hunting vessels being brought into service by the Royal Navy. The tank, measuring six metres by two metres and one and a half metres deep, is large enough to accommodate underwater vehicles from Britain's Mine Hunting Capability programme. Engineers can record magnetic data from each vessel and its components to build unique signatures that sea mines use to detonate. The facility, operated under a Long Term Partnering Agreement with the Ministry of Defence, certifies uncrewed vessels as safe for mine-threat environments. Testing occurs in a magnetically controlled area with a coil system that can replicate any Earth magnetic field. QinetiQ's managing director Jim Graham said the investment supports safe deployment and maritime security for allied nations. The company is also opening the tank to external users through its Innovation Gateway.
UK Defence JournalQinetiQ expands mine-hunting drone magnetic testing facility at MOD Portland Bill
QinetiQ has installed a new six-metre water tank at the MOD Portland Bill facility in Dorset to measure and tune the magnetic signatures of uncrewed mine-hunting vessels being brought into service by the Royal Navy under Britain's Mine Hunting Capability programme. The tank, measuring six by two metres and 1.5 metres deep, allows engineers to record magnetic data from each vessel and its components, building unique signatures that sea mines use to detonate. The facility, operated under the Long Term Partnering Agreement with the Ministry of Defence, certifies uncrewed vessels as safe to operate in mine-threat environments. Testing occurs inside a magnetically controlled area with a coil system that can replicate any Earth magnetic field. QinetiQ is also opening the tank to outside users through its Innovation Gateway. Jim Graham, QinetiQ's managing director for maritime and land, stated the investment supports the Royal Navy's ability to deploy safely and enhance allied maritime security at pace.
UK Defence JournalQinetiQ expands underwater signature testing capacity for larger uncrewed minehunting vehicles
QinetiQ's Magnetic Assessment Services team in Dorset, UK, has installed a new water tank measuring six meters long, two meters wide, and 1.5 meters deep to test the underwater magnetic signatures of larger uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The tank supports the UK Ministry of Defence's minehunting capability programme, including platforms like the Iver4 580 and SeaCat AUVs. By measuring magnetic signatures—unique markers that mines use to detonate—the facility helps ensure safe deployment. The new tank complements existing medium and smaller tanks and is open to other companies developing UUVs and USVs. This investment aligns with the UK's hybrid navy strategy and comes amid European efforts to prepare for a potential mine clearance mission in the Strait of Hormuz following US-Iran hostilities.
Naval TechnologyQinetiQ expands underwater signature testing capacity for larger uncrewed minehunting vehicles
QinetiQ has installed a new, larger water tank at its Magnetic Assessment Services facility in Dorset, UK, to test the underwater magnetic signatures of larger uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The tank measures six metres by two metres and is 1.5 metres deep. This expansion supports the UK Ministry of Defence's minehunting capability (MHC) programme, which includes platforms like the Iver4 580 and SeaCat AUVs. The facility allows measurement of magnetic signatures that could trigger undersea mines. QinetiQ's managing director stated the investment demonstrates commitment to safe deployment for the Royal Navy and allied nations. The new tank complements existing medium and smaller tanks and will be open to other companies developing UUVs and USVs. The development is significant given recent mine countermeasure missions in the Gulf region.
Naval TechnologyQinetiQ expands underwater signature testing capacity for larger uncrewed minehunting vehicles
QinetiQ has installed a new, larger water tank at its Magnetic Assessment Services facility in Dorset, UK, to test the underwater magnetic signatures of larger uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The tank measures six metres by two metres and is 1.5 metres deep. This expansion supports the UK Ministry of Defence's minehunting capability (MHC) programme, which includes platforms like the Iver4 580 and SeaCat AUVs. The facility allows measurement of magnetic signatures that could trigger undersea mines. QinetiQ's managing director stated the investment demonstrates commitment to safe deployment for the Royal Navy and allied nations. The new tank complements existing medium and smaller tanks and will be open to other companies developing UUVs and USVs. The development is significant given recent mine countermeasure missions in the Gulf region.
Naval Technology