British defense technology company QinetiQ is establishing a containerized experiment facility for sensor technology to help defeat small boat threats.

The facility was commissioned by Britain's Defense Science and Technology Laboratory, or DSTL, which is part of the Ministry of Defense, and which has developed a proof of concept sensor system for the detection of small boat threats to naval vessels.

"This work is aimed at understanding how data can be most effectively presented to the operator to aid situation awareness and combat the small boat threat," said Philip Smith, Affordable Maritime Presence Program manager at DSTL. "We selected QinetiQ because they are able to bring together knowledge of sensor technology, experience in the discipline of human factors and a systems engineering approach."

Under the contract, the QinetiQ demonstrator will integrate relevant onboard sensors and demonstrate how information can be effectively presented to command personnel for rapid decisions and coordinated response to an identified threat.

QinetiQ said its work will build upon earlier company research performed for the defense organization.

"This is the second contract we have been awarded by DSTL which focuses on the threat posed by small boats to large vessels," said Sarah Kenny, managing director for the Maritime business at QinetiQ, "This contract plays very much to our strengths in that we will be combining our extensive system, sensor and technical capabilities with our knowledge and understanding of human factors."

Details on the value of the contract and its performance period were not disclosed.