Qinetiq to supply advanced mast technology to UK Royal Navy

IMAGE Qinetiq.jpg

UK technology company QinetiQ (previously DERA) has won a contract to provide a communications and radar mast for the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal.

All the communications equipment is protected behind an outer skin, to protect the equipment from the elements, reduce the amount of replacement / maintenance required and also make access to the equipment safer. 

The mast is intended to be maintenance free, lighter and stealthier than conventional masts. Equipment is enclosed within the structure, protecting it from the environment.

The mast is due into service in late 2005 and QinetiQ believes it is likely to become common place on future warships.

The mast will carry a wide variety of radio frequency transmitters and receivers ranging from essential systems such as radar through to those carried for purely entertainment purposes such as televisions and radios.  

Maintaining the equipment within the protection of the mast is safer than if they are on a conventional mast, where scaffolding is required. 

The outer skin of the mast is made from frequency selective or 'tuned' composites and allows radar and communications equipment to 'see out'. The skins are manufactured using existing and well-established shipyard techniques. 

The contract follows many years of development funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).