Electronics research and development business Roke Manor Research (RMR) has announ-ced it will be supplying Flight Refuelling (FRL) with the hardware and software that will enable accurate height positioning of its Blackjack airborne threat simulation system.
Blackjack is produced by aerospace and defence supplier FRL and used by the UK Ministry of Defence for air defence training against a wide variety of missile and gun systems.
The unmanned aircraft vehicle simulates a sea-skimming missile attacking a ship. It is launched from an aircraft and towed from a cable up to 9km (14 miles) long, ensuring that the target is a safe distance away from the aircraft.
The Siemens-owned company (Hall 4, Stand D6) will supply FRL with its Miniature Radar Altimeter (MRA) Mark IVa, flight control avionics and target control software. The MRA Mk IVa will be incorporated into the design of the Blackjack to provide accurate, low-level height positioning at a distance of just 25ft (7.5m) from sea level.
The Blackjack itself will be fitted onto the special mission aircraft that Flight Refuelling Aviation operates for the UK Ministry of Defence.
"As well as providing the MRA, Roke Manor Research has also supplied the associated Blackjack control electronics, including a GPS tracking system," says Julian Dean, engineering team leader, Tactical and Training Products, Flight Refuelling.
"Future expansion capability has also been built into the hardware to enable control of additional equipment in the Blackjack at a later date."
Source: Flight Daily News
