Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Dstl and QinetiQ complete TAP trials

Defence

Dstl and QinetiQ complete TAP trials

Dstl and QinetiQ completed trials last October to assess a system to protect combat vehicles and their occupants, marking the completion of the Medusa Technology Assessment Programme (TAP), which has been running for the last 3.5 years.


Courtesy QinetiQ

Dstl and QinetiQ complete trials last October to assess a system to protect combat vehicles and their occupants, marking the completion of the Medusa Technology Assessment Programme (TAP), which has been running for the last 3.5 years.

As part of the overall Dstl Active Integrated Protection Systems Research Project (under the Land Systems research programme), Dstl contracted QinetiQ Ltd to conduct Medusa, assessing a commercial-off-the-shelf soft kill Active Protection System. The Hensoldt MUSS® system was selected and evaluated by QinetiQ supported by a team of industrial and MOD partners (QinetiQ, Hensoldt, BAE Systems, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, Textron ESL).
 
The performance and utility of the system was evaluated with respect to subsystem and system performance, system integration, human factors integration as well as its safety, security and legality, and the operational impacts associated with use and deployment of such a system. The integration assessment included the installation of a MUSS system to a Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, coupled with assessment by the Army to understand the benefits and challenges associated with such equipment across the Defence Lines of Development (DLODs).

Advertisement
Teledyne

The laboratory testing and trialling of the system culminated in a full end-end system evaluation during missile live fire trials held in Woomera, South Australia during October 2018, conducted as part of the AUS/UK bilateral partnership between Dstl and DST Group (Australia) and also supported by the Anglo-German MoU held with BAAINBw.

Medusa has provided vital insights in to the capabilities, benefits and limitations of such equipment, and will be used to inform future direction for both APS research and evaluation activities, and support to potential future acquisition programmes. 

As part of the Army’s future APS strategy, the Leonardo-led Icarus programme is developing an open modular architecture specification for active protection as a cross-fleet capability, with a view to publishing the Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS) standard as a NATO Standardisation Agreement (STANAG). Soft kill subsystems and technologies will form a key part of this future modular and scalable approach to land active protection.

Advertisement
Teledyne

Medusa has demonstrated an effective and productive partnership between industrial partners and MoD and has effectively utilised IRC agreements to deliver a successful and mutually beneficial package of work.


 

BAE Systems

Defence

BAE Systems' Leadership Academy opens in Barrow

14 July 2025

BAE Systems has opened a new Leadership Academy in Barrow to deliver world-class educational facilities for designing and building Royal Navy submarines.

Adarga awarded expanded Defence Support AI contract

Defence

Adarga awarded expanded Defence Support AI contract

14 July 2025

Adarga has been awarded a significantly expanded AI contract by Defence Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

BlueBear demos autonomous containment tech for RAF

Defence

BlueBear demos autonomous containment tech for RAF

14 July 2025

New safety containment technology for autonomous Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) has been successfully proven in a demonstration as part of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) Project CURBER.

Lane Electronics to showcase defence connectivity at MSPO

Aerospace Defence Events

Lane Electronics to showcase defence connectivity at MSPO

11 July 2025

Lane Electronics, a franchised distributor for many of the industry’s major electrical, electronic and optical connector manufacturers, will be Exhibiting at MSPO 2025 (2nd–5th September 2025, Kielce, Poland), where they will be displaying the latest connector innovations and demonstrating their UK based assembling and value add services.

Advertisement
Teledyne
Flitetec secures two distribution agreements

Aerospace Defence Events

Flitetec secures two distribution agreements

11 July 2025

Amersham based aerospace business Flitetec, has confirmed two major deals that it shook on at the recent Paris Air Show.

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

Defence

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

10 July 2025

GKN Aerospace has signed a six-year follow-on contract with BAE Systems for continued manufacture of Eurofighter Typhoon transparencies at its Luton facility, through to the end of 2030.

Advertisement
Teledyne