The Banshee platform is utilised by over 40 nations worldwide, providing critical support in military training exercises. It is capable of simulating crewed aircraft, missiles, and other UAVs, making it a versatile asset in defence training scenarios.
Manufactured at QinetiQ’s facility in the southeast of England, the Banshee is currently being employed in Formidable Shield, a major military exercise off the northwest coast of Scotland. Known for its adaptability, the Banshee can fly at speeds up to 200 metres per second and has recently been used to generate drone swarms, replicating real-world threats similar to those encountered in Ukraine and the Red Sea.
QinetiQ offers several variants of the Banshee, including the Banshee Whirlwind, Jet 40+, and Jet 80+. Each model can be customised with optional payloads to meet the demands of various defence applications, covering maritime, air-to-air, and land-to-air combat training.
Will Blamey, Chief Executive of QinetiQ UK Defence, commented on the milestone: “Building 10,000 Banshees is more than a production achievement, it’s a symbol of our global impact on defence preparedness. We are proud that every Banshee produced contributes to sharpening the operational readiness of our customers.”
Blamey also highlighted the platform’s continued evolution in response to modern military needs. “With its customisable payloads and technology advancements, the Banshee is a realistic, adaptable and scalable training tool that continues to evolve, ensuring military readiness against evolving threats,” he stated.
