General Atomics

QinetiQ selected as awardee on US Army’s PD Aerostats MATOC

QinetiQ US has been selected as an awardee on the US Army's $4 billion Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) under the US Army Product Director (PD) Aerostats programme.



Image courtesy QinetiQ

This 10-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract supports system integration, hardware procurement, engineering, logistics, operations and programme management for the PD Aerostats programme office.

The PD Aerostats MATOC encompasses support for Persistent Surveillance System – Tethered (PSS-T) platforms, future Elevated Sensing requirements and the Persistent Surveillance Dissemination System of Systems (PSDS2) programme. As the only Prime contractor operating multisite strategic and tactical class aerostat sites, supporting US border security and defence missions, QinetiQ US is positioned to deliver and sustain these critical capabilities for systems both within the United States and at overseas locations, leveraging the company’s experience and expertise to deliver persistent surveillance solutions to the US and its international allies.

QinetiQ US brings comprehensive capabilities in prime contract management, sensors integration and interoperability, including aerostat platforms, hyperspectral imaging systems and multimodal detection technologies that provide enhanced situational awareness. The company established itself as a trusted partner in advancing sensor technology for the US Army, developing intelligent processing algorithms and imaging technologies that support key modernisation initiatives. Through this integrated approach, QinetiQ delivers cohesive systems that transform sensor data into actionable intelligence across domains.

"Our integrated sensor and aerostat solutions deliver effective and affordable multidomain awareness solutions to meet the evolving threat in today’s defence and security environment," said Jonathan Riksen, executive vice president and general manager of QinetiQ US’ National & Global Security Solutions. "By combining advanced sensor technologies with our persistent surveillance platforms, we provide decision makers with actionable intelligence that creates a decisive information advantage in evolving threat environments."

QinetiQ US’s persistent surveillance solutions operate aerostats and payloads at altitudes up to 15,000 feet with 30-day continuous deployment capabilities, delivering best-in-class efficiency and the lowest cost per flight hour to meet and exceed mission requirements. The company’s turnkey approach integrates the Secure Persistent & Aware Data Ecosystem (SPADE) with comprehensive mission planning, sustainment and lifecycle management services to optimise operational effectiveness throughout the entire mission lifecycle.

Related

IndiGo suspends Manchester flights as airspace restrictions push up costs
MAG Manchester Mumbai IndiGo
IndiGo suspends Manchester flights as airspace restrictions push up costs
IndiGo has temporarily suspended flights from Manchester to Delhi and Mumbai, blaming longer flight times, airspace restrictions and rising operating costs.
Aerospace

2 Sep 2026

RAF Air Command becomes Air and Space Command as Britain elevates military space operations
An RAF-operated Typhoon FGR4 is displayed alongside two Storm Shadow ALCMs during an event at RAF Marham, Norfolk, on 1 September 2019. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/SAC Simon Armstrong
RAF Air Command becomes Air and Space Command as Britain elevates military space operations
With the growing importance of military space operations, the new name reflects the widening remit of the RAF’s primary operational division.
Aerospace Defence

1 Sep 2026

TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
FIA 2026
TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
The move is designed to expand TEKEVER's autonomous capabilities with advanced propulsion technology.
Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract
RAF Fylingdales
Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract
As part of the contract, a new software analytical tool developed by Serco - with the RAF and UK Space Command - is set to enhance RAF Fylingdales' detection and tracking system.
ALL.​SPACE to support adaptive space manufacturing for US Department of War DIU
ALL.SPACE sat comms
ALL.​SPACE to support adaptive space manufacturing for US Department of War DIU
In an effort to improve space manufacturing readiness and deployment of resilient solutions, the US Department of War Innovation Unit (DIU) has contracted ALL.​SPACE to assist in its rapid delivery of mission-critical multi-orbit satellite comms capabilities.
UK can’t assume wartime ship requisition will guarantee access to sealift, new report warns
A Royal Navy-operated Merlin HM4 hovers over the deck of the sanctioned Cameroonian-flagged crude oil tanker and suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' vessel, Smyrtos, during a maritime interdiction mission to seize the vessel on 14 June 2026. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Royal Navy
UK can’t assume wartime ship requisition will guarantee access to sealift, new report warns
The UK may be able to requisition commercial vessels in a crisis, but modern shipping networks mean access to crews, specialist skills and support services is far from guaranteed.
Defence

2 Sep 2026

Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract
RAF Fylingdales
Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract
As part of the contract, a new software analytical tool developed by Serco - with the RAF and UK Space Command - is set to enhance RAF Fylingdales' detection and tracking system.
ALL.​SPACE to support adaptive space manufacturing for US Department of War DIU
ALL.SPACE sat comms
ALL.​SPACE to support adaptive space manufacturing for US Department of War DIU
In an effort to improve space manufacturing readiness and deployment of resilient solutions, the US Department of War Innovation Unit (DIU) has contracted ALL.​SPACE to assist in its rapid delivery of mission-critical multi-orbit satellite comms capabilities.
Teledyne passes 1,000 sensors in orbit with NASA Roman Telescope launch
The infrared focal plane with H4RG-10 detector
Teledyne passes 1,000 sensors in orbit with NASA Roman Telescope launch
The launch of NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope marks a major milestone for Teledyne, whose detector technology will enable the mission to investigate dark energy, hunt for exoplanets and survey billions of galaxies.
Member News Space

1 Sep 2026

Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract
RAF Fylingdales
Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract
As part of the contract, a new software analytical tool developed by Serco - with the RAF and UK Space Command - is set to enhance RAF Fylingdales' detection and tracking system.
Royal Navy support ship programme reaches key milestone at Appledore
Three Fleet Solid Support vessels being delivered for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary through a partnership between Navantia UK, BMT and Harland & Wolff.
Royal Navy support ship programme reaches key milestone at Appledore
Construction of the first Fleet Solid Support ship reaches a key milestone as work progresses on the Royal Navy's future replenishment fleet.
Defence Security

1 Sep 2026

TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
FIA 2026
TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
The move is designed to expand TEKEVER's autonomous capabilities with advanced propulsion technology.