"Unique contribution to the defence industry" on show as MP visits systems testing site
MP tours site which plays key role in testing complex defence systems
QinetiQ’s unique contribution to the defence industry was discussed with Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin this week.
Amanda visited QinetiQ’s Portsdown Technology Park site on Portsdown Hill, home to a range of capabilities that support the integration and test of complex mission systems for the Royal Navy and other Defence customers alongside industry partners.
There she met with experts responsible for developing the standards to enable interoperability of autonomous systems across multi-national coalition forces for tasks such as mine hunting, and those who work to integrate combat, communication and information systems (CCIS) onto current and future naval platforms from the site.
Amanda also heard about the site’s connection with local academia, including UTC Portsmouth. A number of QinetiQ experts support engineering courses at UTC with inputs to inspire the next generations of talent into the defence industry. One of those that Amanda met who joined QinetiQ from UTC Portsmouth is Paul Skinner, an engineering degree apprentice.
He said: “It was great to meet Amanda and tell her about how and why I wanted to join QinetiQ. The course at UTC gave me a strong foundation in testing and fault finding skills, which I am now building on and using on a day-to-day basis.”
Rachael Pickwell, senior programme manager at QinetiQ, is responsible for the team that works to integrate CCIS and supports the UTC Portsmouth courses. She said: “Having a connection with our local education partners is absolutely vital to drive the next generation of talent into the defence industry.