DORSET aerospace and engineering group Meggitt has secured more than £14 million worth of contracts and options for its Banshee missile target system.

The UK MoD has awarded Meggitt Defence Systems a three-year turnkey contract - with an option for a further two years - to provide Banshee targets.

Banshee has been in service with the MoD for more than 10 years but this is the first time the MoD has contracted with a single supplier to provide the total package for low-speed targetry.

This deal is expected to provide a reference point for future turnkey operating services contracts.

Most recently, Meggitt Defence Systems (MDS) supported the MoD with the provision of Banshee target services for the British Forces' exercises in Oman.

French Weapons manufacturer Thales has signed with Meggitt Defence Systems to provide Banshees in the Middle East to test its ground-to-air Crotale missiles and to train personnel. These services are already being conducted and the Banshees are fitted with MDS thermal enhancement heat sources to simulate aircraft engines and act as a target for heat-seeking missiles.

The German Army is also buying Banshee targets and services in support of its ground-to-air missiles and mobile (tracked vehicle) anti-aircraft cannon systems.

Four Banshee targets are being operated simultaneously by the German Army and fitted with MDS thermal enhancement heat sources and MDI scoring systems.

Meggitt Defence Systems designs, manufactures and operates aerial target systems, unmanned aircraft and electronic scoring systems for defence departments world-wide. Its Banshee system is currently in service in 42 countries.