Roke Manor Research's Miniature Radar Altimeters To Be Used in Towed Targets

Roke Manor Research will be supplying its Miniature Radar Altimeter (MRA) Mark IVa, flight control avionics and target control software to Flight Refuelling Limited, the aerospace and defence supplier, to enable accurate height positioning of its 'Blackjack', an airborne threat simulation system.

Roke Manor Research's MRA Mark IVa will be incorporated into the design of the 'Blackjack' to provide accurate, low level height positioning at a distance of just 25 feet from sea level. Flight Refuelling Limited will be supplying the 'Blackjack' to Flight Refuelling Aviation for the special mission aircraft it operates for the UK Ministry of Defence.

The 'Blackjack' simulates a sea-skimming missile attacking a ship, and is used by the Ministry of Defence for air defence training against a wide variety of missle and gun systems. The 'Blackjack' is launched from an aircraft and is towed from a cable up to nine kilometres in length, ensuring that the target is a safe distance away from the aircraft.

"As well as providing the MRA, Roke Manor Research has also supplied the associated 'Blackjack' control electronics, including a GPS tracking system. Future expansion capability has also been built into the hardware to enable control of additional equipment in the 'Blackjack' at a later date", explains Julian Dean, Engineering Team Leader of Tactical and Training Products for Flight Refuelling Limited.

"Roke Manor Research's MRA Mark IVa is ideally suited for use on board unmanned aircraft vehicles such as Blackjack because it provides accurate low level height positioning which is vital for successful target location, says Jason Hall, Avionics skill group manager at Roke Manor Research. "The total solution provided by Roke Manor Research has enabled Flight Refuelling Limited to improve the performance of its 'Blackjack'."

About Flight Refuelling Limited

The Refuelling and Axiliary Mission Equipment Division of Cobham's Aerospace System Group offers a comprehensive portfolio for the design and integration of the refuelling systems, external fuel tanks, weapons carriage and release, tactical UAVs and ATC systems.