Capability profile

Hammerhead and Barracuda Naval Target Systems

Deploy remotely controlled uncrewed surface and tow targets that reproduce fast-attack craft, fast inshore attack craft, piracy, explosive-USV and swarm threats for naval training and weapon-system evaluation.

Request an introduction Add to Working List Download profileExplore QinetiQ Target Systems Canada

How to read the record

Know what is sourced, assessed, current or still unknown.

Public-source factA released source supports the statement.
Our assessmentA person reviewed where the evidence may point.
Evidence strengthThe label reflects the quality and depth of public support.
Last reviewedThe date shows when the record was checked most recently.
Not yet verifiedMissing information stays visible instead of being invented.

Uncrewed surface and naval threat-representation systems

Capability overview

Core features

Hammerhead MkII and Barracuda high-speed uncrewed surface targets
Line-of-sight and over-the-horizon remote control
Multi-target swarm scenarios with control of up to 40 vehicles
Configurable payload, radar, visual and scoring augmentation
Deployable field-service launch, recovery and mission operation

Defence and security uses

Naval gunnery and close-in weapon-system training
Surface-to-surface and air-to-surface weapon evaluation
Fast inshore attack craft and piracy threat rehearsal
Explosive-USV and swarm-defence training

What sets it apart

No source-supported differentiators are published yet.

Maturity

Maturity fields are not published because the reviewed sources do not support them.

Uncrewed surface vehiclesNaval targetsSwarm trainingThreat representationLive-fire training

See the clearest reason to explore a conversation

Where this technology may help

Our assessmentModerate public evidence

Defending against air and missile attacks

Hammerhead and Barracuda Naval Target Systems may help teams working on Defending against air and missile attacks by contributing to detection and situational awareness, aerospace operations, and targeting and precision effects.

Supporting sourcesNATO Aggregated Demand Signal to Industry and Innovation Ecosystems Across the Alliance Uncrewed Surface Targets

Public-source alignment only; not eligibility or endorsement.

Our assessmentModerate public evidence

Sovereign defence capability areas

Hammerhead and Barracuda Naval Target Systems may help teams working on Sovereign defence capability areas by contributing to detection and situational awareness, autonomous and uncrewed systems, and aerospace operations.

Supporting sourcesUncrewed Surface Targets Hammerhead MkII Uncrewed Surface Vehicle

Public-source alignment only; not eligibility or endorsement.

This is a reviewed public-source assessment. It is not procurement eligibility, endorsement, customer interest, or classified demand.

Who is building it

QinetiQ Target Systems Canada

Company · Medicine Hat, Alberta

Strong public evidence

Explore the organization

5 public sources

Evidence & sources

Uncrewed Surface Targets
QinetiQ · official company product
QinetiQ's official surface-target portfolio describes Hammerhead, Barracuda, Sprite II and tow targets for naval live-fire readiness, fast-attack-craft and piracy scenarios, including simultaneous control of up to 40 targets.
Hammerhead MkII Uncrewed Surface Vehicle
QinetiQ · official company product
The Hammerhead MkII product page supports line-of-sight and over-the-horizon control, 35-knot operation in Sea State 3, payload customization and swarm threat representation.
Hammerhead USVs put allies to the test
QinetiQ · official company news
QinetiQ's March 2026 report identifies the Canadian Target Systems team and documents deployment and remote control of ten Hammerhead targets in three multinational exercise scenarios.
NATO Aggregated Demand Signal to Industry and Innovation Ecosystems Across the Alliance
NATO · government policy
Defending against air and missile attacks
Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy
National Defence · official policy
Reviewer synthesis of the public end state: Canada can build, sustain or control priority aerospace, ammunition, digital, in-service support, sensor, space, specialized manufacturing, training and uncrewed capabilities through domestic strength, trusted partnerships and sovereign access.

What supports this profile

How well this is supported

Public evidence: Strong
Last reviewed: Jul 24, 2026
Technology areas: Autonomous Systems, Test, Training & Sustainment

Capability overview

Core features

Hammerhead MkII and Barracuda high-speed uncrewed surface targets
Line-of-sight and over-the-horizon remote control
Multi-target swarm scenarios with control of up to 40 vehicles
Configurable payload, radar, visual and scoring augmentation
Deployable field-service launch, recovery and mission operation

Defence and security uses

Naval gunnery and close-in weapon-system training
Surface-to-surface and air-to-surface weapon evaluation
Fast inshore attack craft and piracy threat rehearsal
Explosive-USV and swarm-defence training

What sets it apart

No source-supported differentiators are published yet.

Maturity

Maturity fields are not published because the reviewed sources do not support them.

Uncrewed surface vehiclesNaval targetsSwarm trainingThreat representationLive-fire training

Where this technology may help

Our assessmentModerate public evidence

Defending against air and missile attacks

Supporting sourcesNATO Aggregated Demand Signal to Industry and Innovation Ecosystems Across the Alliance Uncrewed Surface Targets

Public-source alignment only; not eligibility or endorsement.

Our assessmentModerate public evidence

Sovereign defence capability areas

Supporting sourcesUncrewed Surface Targets Hammerhead MkII Uncrewed Surface Vehicle

Public-source alignment only; not eligibility or endorsement.

This is a reviewed public-source assessment. It is not procurement eligibility, endorsement, customer interest, or classified demand.

Evidence & sources

Uncrewed Surface Targets
QinetiQ · official company product
QinetiQ's official surface-target portfolio describes Hammerhead, Barracuda, Sprite II and tow targets for naval live-fire readiness, fast-attack-craft and piracy scenarios, including simultaneous control of up to 40 targets.
Hammerhead MkII Uncrewed Surface Vehicle
QinetiQ · official company product
The Hammerhead MkII product page supports line-of-sight and over-the-horizon control, 35-knot operation in Sea State 3, payload customization and swarm threat representation.
Hammerhead USVs put allies to the test
QinetiQ · official company news
QinetiQ's March 2026 report identifies the Canadian Target Systems team and documents deployment and remote control of ten Hammerhead targets in three multinational exercise scenarios.
NATO Aggregated Demand Signal to Industry and Innovation Ecosystems Across the Alliance
NATO · government policy
Defending against air and missile attacks
Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy
National Defence · official policy
Reviewer synthesis of the public end state: Canada can build, sustain or control priority aerospace, ammunition, digital, in-service support, sensor, space, specialized manufacturing, training and uncrewed capabilities through domestic strength, trusted partnerships and sovereign access.