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2019-07-10
Houbara on Target to Replicate Next Generation Threats
The well-known military adage “train hard, fight easy” fully extols the virtues of thorough preparation for the full spectrum of threats armed forces personnel face. However, in an era when the blistering pace of technological development is able to create potential threats as fast as military planners are able to devise strategies to counter them, how should training practices reflect this?
Historically, conventional conflicts between technologically matched nations, have driven advances in capability and training designed to stay one step ahead of any foe. Asymmetric conflict, however, or countering threats from technologically inferior opponents using cheap and ready-made devices, has often blunted a nation’s conventional warfighting capability and the ability to seamlessly switch between the two can be very challenging. An expensive anti-air missile system is not the answer to a micro-drone.
Future conflicts are likely to include a strong asymmetric dimension. Militaries will therefore face the threat of inexpensive unmanned platforms through to supersonic and even hypersonic missile systems potentially in the same conflict zone within a very short space of time. This creates a substantial training burden.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) threat, first seen as the unguided Vergeltungswaffe (V1) Rockets which terrified the population of London during the summer of 1944, has evolved considerably and become increasingly prevalent in the region. A small UAV bought online now has the payload capability and reach to cause significant damage in areas previously vulnerable only to traditional military strikes. A large UAV, still available online, multiplies this destructive power even more so. Yet these systems are often so difficult to detect and defeat, and present a threat beyond the scope of traditional air defence systems.
The same is true of the Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) threat. Regardless of whether or not these vessels are manned, (or increasingly) unmanned, they can wreak havoc amongst naval vessels or commercial marine traffic.
Challenges Posed by Asymmetric Threats
Increasingly, military planners are contemplating countering asymmetric threats which may involve elements of ‘swarming’ air, land and sea platforms simultaneously. How do militaries train for the nightmare scenario of a combined swarm of UAV’s and FIAC platforms intent on overwhelming an isolated naval ship’s defences? Training for this is important not only from a weapons effect perspective, but also in terms of how to effectively ‘fight the ship’ through the command, control and coordination of simultaneous engagements of multiple air and surface threats, closing at speeds in excess of 60 knots.
However, the UAE’s defence sector has been working to address them. Houbara, a UAE science and technology company, focuses on developing realistic threat representation systems for these types of scenarios. This joint venture enjoys the backing of the UAE’s Middle East General Enterprises and the technical expertise of UK defence contractor, QinetiQ plc which has conducted military target exercises for over forty customers worldwide.
Based in Tawazun Industrial Park, Houbara provides comprehensive military targets which range from supersonic capable anti-ship missile targets, to swarming UAV’s and high-speed vessels. One particular area of development has been the introduction of the QinetiQ Hammerhead fast attack craft target, which is able to operate at speeds of up to 30 knots and in swarms of up to thirty craft.
Tim Allen, Houbara’s CEO, said, ““where we add value is in our ability to layer different threat types in a complex environment, including the use of electronic warfare decoys, and being able to customise targets to accurately replicate a specific threat profile”.
Houbara’s strategy for the UAE is to move toward a local manufacturing capability of aerial and surface targets and to help design and build new customised target systems. This will prepare the next generation Emirati engineers to effectively face tomorrow’s threats.
New Defence Facility opens at TIP
A new facility has opened at Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP) for the assembly of unmanned aerial and maritime target systems used in military training, test and evaluation. The new joint venture, Houbara Defence and Security LLC, is a partnership between Middle East General Enterprises (MGE), and QinetiQ of the UK.
Guest of honour at the event was Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al Balushi, Head of the Executive Directorate of Industries and Development of Defence Capabilities at the UAE Ministry of Defence.
Saeed Ghanim, Chairman of Houbara, said: “This new facility, part of Houbara’s strategy to build local defence capacity, creates technology systems for training and skills development for the UAE military.”
Houbara, will combine proven expertise of QinetiQ to test, manufacture and distribute specialist unmanned targets, satisfying the increasing demand for operational training and mission rehearsal. The initial product range includes the Jet Banshee aerial target designed to simulate the threat of aircraft for air defence systems and the Hammerhead maritime target, an unmanned speedboat designed to simulate fast inshore attack craft in a multi-vehicle swarm.
Tim Allen, CEO of Houbara said: “We offer unique access in the UAE to QinetiQ’s global resources of 6,000 dedicated professionals, that helps our customers protect and optimise their defence and security capabilities.”
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