Copernicus Technology wins new MOD training contract for RAF P-8A Poseidon fleet
Published 18 Dec 2018
In 2018 the MOD's Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organisation awarded 2 contracts in support of RAF Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Copernicus Technology Ltd. In May Copernicus Technology won the contract to design and deliver a full range of Visual Recognition Training Packages covering surface, submarine and airborne units that aircrews are likely to encounter and will need to accurately identify whilst on maritime operations. On Tuesday 18th December they officially handed over a full Visual Recognition Training package to senior representatives of the RAF Poseidon MRA Mk1 program, pictured below.
Copernicus Technology also recently won a further DE&S contract to deliver the Training Management System for the RAF Poseidon MRA Mk1 aircraft. The RAF Poseidon fleet is the first customer for this Training Management System, which was designed around the requirements of the UK’s Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) and is equally applicable to industries requiring complex training for high-risk environments such as Oil & Gas and Rail.
Pictured (L to R): Michelle Sanders, P-8A Program Leader, MOD 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 and Giles Huby, Managing Director at Copernicus Technology.
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 3 years."
He went on to say “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.”
Wg Cdr James ‘Snoopy’ Hanson was also present for the presentation of the Visual Recognition Training package. As the first Poseidon Squadron Commander, Wg Cdr Hanson commented that
“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.”
To find out more about Copernicus Technology's MPA services click the following for details on Training and for Consultancy, and you can contact Roo by calling +44(0)1343 842406 or emailing