Remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) experts from Inzpire – part of the QinetiQ Group - have delivered tailored training to the British Army in support of Project TIQUILA.
Led by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, known for its rapid prototyping and innovation of cutting-edge aircraft and advanced technologies - Project TIQUILA sees more than 250 portable and packable mini drones delivered to the UK Armed Forces.
While integrated into the British Army’s 32 Regiment Royal Artillery for approximately nine months, our instructors delivered operational and maintenance training for the rotary-wing KESTREL devices and fixed-wing EAGLE VXE30 drones. In addition, the team provided theory and practical training to the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the platforms.
Used for cutting-edge imaging and surveillance, both TIQUILA systems can locate and identify targets far from the operator, with the portable EAGLE UAS providing over eight hours of imaging capability and the ability to cover approximately 60 miles. The packable KESTREL, weighing only 2.27kg, can be folded and carried in a soldier’s backpack and deployed in just two minutes with a range of approximately eight miles.
Gareth Banning, Director of Platform Training Services, said:
“Project TIQUILA marks a significant milestone in the land Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance programme and demonstrates the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to using British industry partners to support the delivery of new and innovative technology.
“As the Project TIQUILA training provider for the British Army, our natural focus is on ensuring that frontline operational users are trained to the highest standards possible to maximise the effectiveness of the new equipment and it’s place within the wider ISTAR ecosystem.”
We provided further subject matter expertise to 32 Regiment UAS instructors, as they delivered a three-week Train the Operator course for EAGLE, qualifying army UAS crews in how to operate the system. The course includes a theory ground school phase, which covers technical lessons and practical training events utilising the system’s Ground Control Station simulation software, followed by a live flying phase, delivered for the first time in the UK.
As the UAS training provider for the TIQUILA programme since 2023 - operating remotely at locations across the USA as well as Larkhill in Wiltshire - our team has supported the full planning phase. This included an in-depth and complex training needs analysis, through to designing and developing courseware aligned to the MOD’s Defence Systems Approach to Training framework.
Our subject matter experts have a broad wealth of operational and instructional experience on small UAS platforms, particularly in the beyond-visual-line-of-sight ranges, following years of serving in the UK military. Having supported the Royal Air Force with RPAS training for many years, Project TIQUILA marks the first time that Inzpire has delivered UAS training to the British Army.
Craig Brown, Head of Aviation Training Division, said:
“We continue to provide training services into all areas of UK defence and are proud to support the British Army in the smooth integration of their latest fielded uncrewed aerial systems. This area is only expected to grow in scale and complexity, as the battlespace continues to evolve and incorporate more uncrewed vehicles.”
Colonel Richard Ball, Commander UAS Group, British Army, said:
“Project TIQUILA represents a very considerable ISTAR capability enhancement for the Army and both the EAGLE and KESTREL UAS capabilities will play a vital role in increasing the UAS ‘Find’ function at brigade and divisional levels and will become a key part of the Army’s recce-strike complex.
“The practical and theory training support provided by Inzpire to personnel from the Royal Artillery and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers has been first-class; and the collaboration between the Army and Inzpire has significantly contributed towards achieving the Army Project TIQUILA Initial Operational Capability in April this year. I very much look forward to deepening our relationship with Inzpire, as the Army seeks to achieve Project TIQUILA Full Operational Capability later this year.”
