DEFENCE technology firm QinetiQ has won a multi-million pound contract to supply a radar device to keep British troops safe from incoming rockets.

The new radar, called Alarm, is specifically designed to warn against short-range, low-trajectory rocket attacks, enabling troops to take evasive action and reduce casualties.

It was designed by scientists in Malvern, and although the components are manufactured elsewhere, the Alarm devices are assembled and tested in Malvern.

The availability of mortars and rockets to a wide variety of groups makes indirect fire a continuing threat to military bases.

Conventional mortarlocating radar systems detect high-trajectory rounds and can predict the point of origin and the point of impact, giving troops valuable seconds warning to take cover.

However, short-range, low-trajectory rocket attacks are difficult to detect, a problem the new system was designed to tackle.

Dr JeremyWard, of QinetiQ, Malvern, said: “I am delighted that our talented radar scientists and engineers have once again demonstrated that we have outstanding capability to solve difficult problems.

“Alarm is a world first for this type of solution, building on our 70-year heritage of developing radar and shows great future promise in being able to address challenging threats of the future to NATO forces.”

Malvern MP Harriett Baldwin said: “I would like to congratulate QinetiQ for developing such an important piece of military kit and I am pleased our own Ministry of Defence is the first customer.

“This deal is yet more good news for Malvern’s brilliant brains.”