US Navy Spends $14m On Vindicator Target UAVs From Qinetiq

The U.S. Navy will be testing its air defence systems against threats simulated by an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by the Canadian arm of U.K. firm Qinetiq.

As per a recent press statement from contracting agency Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), it has helped Qinetiq to win a $14 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to supply its Vindicator drones to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD).

The "robust" all-weather UAV has been designed to act as a target simulating aircraft and missile threats.

Customer account manager at QinetiQ Ryan Peterson commented: "QinetiQ is proud to offer the Vindicator to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, to help enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of the U.S. Navy.”

And Diane Montambault, CCC's Vice President of Contract Management and Operations, called the Vindicator "a world-class UAV solution that exemplifies Canadian engineering at its best."  

The Canadian arm of U.K.-based firm QinetiQ is based in Medicine Hat, Alberta; it specializes in autonomous systems, robotics, and cybersecurity. NAWCWD provides testing, evaluation, and research for naval aviation weapons systems; it primarily operates from two bases in south California, China Lake in the Mojave Desert and Point Mugu, just over 50 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

• You can read more details on the CCC website