QinetiQ integrates radar for Type 31 frigate at Portsdown Technology Park

An aerial view of the Portsdown Technology Park (PTP) (BAE Systems)

QinetiQ has integrated the radar for the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) future Inspiration (Type 31)-class frigates at the Portsdown Technology Park (PTP) site in Portsmouth.

The installation of the radar is ongoing, James Anderson, Royal Navy account lead above water & aviation at QinetiQ told Janes during a media briefing at the PTP on 23 June 2026 alongside the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) plenary meeting in Portsmouth.

While not confirmed at the time of publishing, Janes assesses that the new radar installed at the PTP is a Thales NS110 E/F-band radar, to be used for air and surface search on Type 31. The class will also feature the Terma Scanter 6000 I-band radar for air, surface search, navigation, and helicopter control.

Initially, it was not planned to install the Type 31 radar at the PTP, Anderson said. However, not installing the radar would have required the first of class Type 31 to be taken out of service to allow for integration work, and the decision was ultimately taken to install the radar at the PTP to avoid this. Anderson added that it was “worked out that this site [the PTP] saves about two platforms a year” through shore integration as opposed to using a ship in service.

A decision is also to be made on whether a representative Type 31 mast will be installed at the PTP.