The proposed technology will offer a crucial capability to develop UK property capable of functioning effectively in even the most extreme electromagnetic environments, thereby supporting successful operations.
Under the newly signed £20 million contract, QinetiQ is set to build a state-of-the-art radio frequency, anti-jamming test facility at the Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down site in Wiltshire.
The ‘silent hangar’ is poised to accommodate an impressive array of military assets, including Protector drones, Chinook helicopters, and F-35 fighter jets, boasting capabilities exceeding those of the UK’s current service offerings.
As the £22 million anechoic hangar prepares to open in 2026, it will provide a unique facility for testing the integrity of the UK’s arsenal, allowing military personnel to thoroughly inspect and evaluate their equipment in a controlled environment free from external electromagnetic interference. The hangar’s isolation ensures that any testing conducted on it does not impact other customers, including emergency responders and air traffic management services.
The innovative capability is designed to support the creation of up to 20 new specialist roles at the Wiltshire-based space facility over a two-year period, further enriching the UK’s collective expertise in electromagnetic technologies and creating high-skilled job opportunities.
Additionally, it should provide a range of alternative solutions beyond traditional defense mechanisms, to better serve broader authorities, industries, and critical national infrastructure.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Trade, Maria Eagle, stated:
Hostile actors have been increasingly employing GPS-jamming tactics to disrupt the military’s navigation systems, rendering essential tools ineffective.
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Our state-of-the-art facility will enable us to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities in our platforms, safeguard national security, and ensure the enhanced protection of our Armed Forces during international deployments.
The facility will be one of Europe’s largest, measuring roughly the size of a plane hangar, where it will simulate hostile environments to test the capabilities of the UK’s most advanced military equipment.
The specialist anechoic chamber will significantly reduce reflections, eliminate echoes and prevent the unwanted emission of radio-frequency waves. The GPS simulators and menace emulators within the chamber will enable the UK to generate multiple hostile environments, thereby testing the effectiveness of tools against jamming and diverse threats seeking to confound or disrupt military assets.
Will Blamey, a highly respected and experienced individual, serves as the Chief Government Advisor for UK Defence at QinetiQ, a leading global provider of innovative technology.
As cyber conflicts escalate, the insidious consequences of digital warfare pose a perpetual threat to our national security?
The testing we will conduct at this new facility is crucial for bolstering the robustness of military equipment, thereby reinforcing the security and safety of our Armed Forces and the UK.
Richard Bloomfield, Head of Digital Warfare (CBRN) Area at Defence Gear & Help, mentioned:
As concerns about GPS jamming have dominated media coverage, establishing this cutting-edge facility is crucial for ensuring the security of our military forces as they safeguard the nation and its allies.
Notably, this will become one of Europe’s largest and most advanced such chambers, capable of recreating hostile environments to test military equipment like fighter jets and drones in simulated scenarios mimicking various external threats.
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