QinetiQ has just been awarded a £800k contract, the next phase in a successful ongoing programme, to provide to FMV (the Swedish equivalent of the British Defence Procurement Agency) with verification and validation support on its Link-16 tactical datalink, electromagnetic compatibility assurance, secure voice and identification 'friend or foe' (IFF) programmes.
Over the past three years QinetiQ has successfully supported FMV on the concepts and planning phases of its interoperability programme through a succession of contracts worth over £1m. During this time QinetiQ has demonstrated its independent and impartial expertise in all aspects of achieving interoperability across various platforms. As FMV now moves into the acquisition phase, QinetiQ has been engaged to help in test planning and preparation.
FMV is supporting the Swedish Armed Forces in achieving international interoperability across a wide range of ground, sea and air platforms. These range from the Gripen frontline fighter and the ASC890 early warning and control aircraft, through a variety of naval platforms including the new Visby class corvettes and the HKP14 multi-role helicopter, to ground based air defence and command & control facilities.
"QinetiQ's international experience and our independent systems and testing interoperability expertise have again been recognised with the awarding of this contract," explained Peter Baynham, MD of QinetiQ's Command & Intelligence Systems business. "Our ability to understand interoperability requirements and deliver systems that meet the needs of modern warfare is helping us secure business from around the globe and this reinforces our position as a key defence sector supplier."
