News Review: QinetiQ to upgrade Woomera range control system | ADM May 2010

1 May 2010

QinetiQ has been awarded a $5.6 million contract by the Department of Defence to upgrade the Range Control and Safety System at Woomera.

The contract is to replace obsolete specific tracking, control and communications equipment while retaining interoperability with existing tracking sensors.

The upgraded capability will ensure that the Woomera Test Range continues to deliver its critical test and evaluation services to Defence until a much broader upgrade under JP 3024 Phase 1 - Woomera Range Remediation is implemented.

Qinetiq's solution draws on the range infrastructure it provides to the UK Ministry of Defence.

To support delivery of the Australian system, QinetiQ has also teamed with C-E Solutions which will provide communications and display system components as well as systems engineering and integration support.

Employment opportunities will be generated in both Brisbane and Newcastle as the contract is structured to ensure key elements of the project are developed and delivered in Australia.

"This award recognises QinetiQ's global capability in delivering safe and effective test and evaluation equipment and services," explained Mike Kalms, CEO of QinetiQ Pty. Ltd.

"It reflects our commitment to delivering the same world class services within Australia that our UK and US defence customers enjoy."

Boris Novak, General Manager of Newcastle-based C-E Solutions added: "The partnership with C-E Solutions on a project that is core to their global business demonstrates QinetiQ's confidence in our own organisation's capabilities, and a genuine commitment to investment within Australia's highly skilled workforce.

"From an Australian SME perspective, we are finding that, as a prime, QinetiQ truly knows the meaning of collaboration with a SME, and this is proving to be a refreshing and satisfying experience for all of our staff."

QinetiQ delivers Test and Evaluation (T&E) and training support services to the UK military through a 25-year Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) worth up to £5.6 billion over its lifetime and one of the largest PPP/PFI type contracts ever awarded by the MoD to a private contractor.

The contract is based around eighteen core UK MoD T&E sites covering air, land and maritime capabilities.