Sky Sabre tracked, targeted and engaged QinetiQ’s Banshee Jet 80s and a Banshee Whirlwind aerial target during the exercise. Formidable Shield involved 11 allied nations operating across land, sea and air domains to counter representative threats including drone swarms, ballistic and supersonic missiles.
QinetiQ operated the ranges at MOD Hebrides throughout the two-week exercise, ensuring the safety of 1.1 million square kilometres – an area four times the size of the United Kingdom. This allowed the safe inclusion of Sky Sabre in the mission scenarios.
Simon Galt, Managing Director Air, QinetiQ, said: “Our expert staff played a vital role in supporting the live firing of Sky Sabre, from ensuring the safety of the exercise and all those involved, planning the scenarios and operating the ranges at MOD Hebrides throughout. Formidable Shield has been running for 10 years now and every year gets bigger and better. It’s testament to the reputation of the exercise and the unique facilities, that the British Army chose to bring Sky Sabre to the Hebrides for its first UK live firing.”
Sky Sabre uses the next-generation Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) and is being introduced into service with the British Army as a replacement for the Rapier system. Compared with Rapier, Land Ceptor has more than triple the range, exceeding 25 km, and can intercept the most challenging targets in any weather conditions, including cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions.
