Copernicus Technology delivers RAF Poseidon Visual Recognition Training
Moray-based Copernicus Technology Ltd, which has won two Ministry of Defence (MoD) contracts in support of RAF Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft that will be based at RAF Lossiemouth, yesterday officially handed over a full Visual Recognition Training package to senior representatives of the RAF Poseidon MRA Mk1 programme.
Above:
(left to right) Michelle Sanders, P-8A Program Leader, MOD Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). (Michelle leads the DE&S team responsible for bringing the Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet into RAF service), Wg Cdr James Hanson, OC 120 Sqn (James commands the first RAF squadron to operate the P-8A), Roo Hornby, Business Development Director at Copernicus Technology (Roo leads the delivery of Copernicus Technology's Maritime Patrol Aircraft training & consultancy services) and Giles Huby, Managing Director at Copernicus Technology.
Copernicus Technology – which employs a team of ex-RAF personnel – won this contract in May 2018, to design and deliver a full range of Training Packages covering surface, submarine and airborne units that aircrews are likely to encounter and will need to accurately identify whilst on maritime operations. It also won a further contract to deliver the Training Management System for the RAF Poseidon MRA Mk1 aircraft.
The Poseidon fleet is the first customer for this Training Management System, which is applicable across Defence and any industries requiring complex training for high-risk environments.
Michelle Sanders, senior MoD team leader responsible for the delivery of the RAF Poseidon fleet, said: “The expertise and agility of small businesses such as Copernicus Technology are essential to the success of these large capability programmes. It is also excellent to see businesses local to RAF Lossiemouth playing such a key role in the future of the region.”
Roo Hornby, the Copernicus Technology Business Development Director, said: “We are incredibly proud to have won these contracts to support the RAF Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, close to our HQ in Moray, Scotland. We are delighted to be delivering the Visual Recognition Training package well ahead of schedule, because this will ensure the first crews to start their training in the New Year with the US Navy in Florida are fully prepared. We look forward to continuing our support of this contract over the next three years.
“The Training Management System we and our partners are delivering will play an essential role in the analysis, design and delivery of training to ensure all staff operating and supporting the aircraft exploit it to its full potential whilst operating to the highest standards of safety and assurance.”
Wing Commander James Hanson was also present for the presentation of the Visual Recognition Training package. As the first Poseidon Squadron Commander, Wg Cdr Hanson commented: “Visual Recognition is a vital skill amongst our crews to ensure all our operations are conducted safely and accurately. The exceptional material provided by Copernicus Technology is both timely and of great value to my teams.”