Landmarc Support Services have been awarded the National Training Estate Prime contract (NTEP) for the management, control and operation of the Defence Training Areas and Ranges, management and administration of both the built and rural estates.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) SD Training Scotland & Northern Ireland administers Kirkcudbright Training Centre. The tank range currently being used was designed for the old CVRT Armoured vehicle and is now unable to support the newest and most advanced addition to the British Army’s combat vehicle portfolio. Therefore, the range requires an upgrade to provide the crew with the advanced training required for high-calibre offensive capabilities. The requirement is to support trials and subsequent continuing training aspects for the CVRT Armoured Vehicle.

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Figure of 8 tracks and Aberdeen Proving Ground tracks are internationally recognised as the standard for testing and data gathering of AFV gunnery performance. These are designed to provide consistency of trial results in any country with any weight or type of AFV, allowing international comparisons in vehicle performance.  It is therefore a key requirement that these test tracks are installed at Kirkcudbright to allow testing and data gathering at ranges of 1500m, 1000m and 500m ranges.  All tracks must be orientated identically at all ranges to ensure comparability of data at each range.

Jubb have been appointed by Landmarc Support Services to conduct the geometric and civil engineering design of the tank test tracks and moving target facilities to accommodate an armour target mechanism integrated to a rail-guided system at Kirkcudbright. Working closely with Landmarc, DIO, DES and the wider stakeholder community to design a range to meet the clients’ specific requirements.

Jubb are providing civil, structural, and geotechnical design services to support the engineering development. Due to the multi-disciplinary nature of the project, Jubb appointed a range of sub-consultants to work through the key deliverables including specialist ground investigation contractors, planning advisors, environmental, archaeological and electrical professional services support to develop the scheme design.

The design has been conducted during 2021 with the construction phase commencing in September 2021 with planned completion Summer 2022.

There are no specific range design criteria for this form of tank range and therefore the geometric layouts of the range had to be developed in conjunction with the wider stakeholder community. Utilising Civil 3D design software to position design features in both 2D and 3D to understand the complex geometry of the proposals on the existing site topography to ensure the range meets the requirements of the design brief.

Working within the constraints of existing training centre was a challenge, considering additional risks within the ground such as unexploded ordnance, ecological and other defence training area constraints.  Working to a condensed programme of delivery to meet the client’s timescales was a further challenge to be met by the Jubb team.