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

Edgewing opens engineering hub in Italy with UK site to follow
The GCAP fighter jet
Edgewing opens engineering hub in Italy with UK site to follow
The first of three engineering hubs designed to support the development of the future GCAP fighter has opening, with similar sites in the UK and Japan coming soon.
Aerospace Defence

9 Oct 2026

Marshall Aerospace begins new chapter as Aurelius acquisition completes
Marshall Aerospace C-130s
Marshall Aerospace begins new chapter as Aurelius acquisition completes
The completion of AURELIUS' acquisition of Marshall Aerospace marks a new chapter in the company's illustrious history, which spans more than a century of engineering excellence, innovation and service.
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
The UK and Germany have agreed to deepen space launch cooperation, with Scotland's SaxaVord Spaceport securing European access to orbit.
Aerospace Defence Space

9 Oct 2026

Sentinel Photonics brings multiple laser detection sensors into one hub
Sentinel Photonics' LASARD MAX Connect
Sentinel Photonics brings multiple laser detection sensors into one hub
With one single hub that joins up laser detection sensors, operators can now see, share and act on laser threats across a wide area in real time.
AI to help SMEs win defence contracts: Inside Strategical’s solution
Aerospace SME using AI to win defence contracts
AI to help SMEs win defence contracts: Inside Strategical’s solution
Smaller suppliers can struggle to turn technical capability into defence orders. Strategical is using AI to make specialist bidding expertise more accessible and help businesses focus on work they can realistically secure.
Defence Member News

10 Oct 2026

Edgewing opens engineering hub in Italy with UK site to follow
The GCAP fighter jet
Edgewing opens engineering hub in Italy with UK site to follow
The first of three engineering hubs designed to support the development of the future GCAP fighter has opening, with similar sites in the UK and Japan coming soon.
Aerospace Defence

9 Oct 2026

UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
The UK and Germany have agreed to deepen space launch cooperation, with Scotland's SaxaVord Spaceport securing European access to orbit.
Aerospace Defence Space

9 Oct 2026

Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
Satellite in Earth orbit
Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
In a project co-funded by the European Space Agency Business Applications and Space Solutions (ESA BASS) and supported by the UK Space Agency, Excelerate Technology will build and demonstrate how space-enabled assets can provide innovative safety and security solutions, including protection of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) at a site in the UK.
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
ESA Argonaut
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
As Europe prepares to return to the Moon, British-developed LEIA LiDAR technology will help ESA's Argonaut lander autonomously identify safe touchdown zones on the lunar surface.
Space

5 Oct 2026

Sentinel Photonics brings multiple laser detection sensors into one hub
Sentinel Photonics' LASARD MAX Connect
Sentinel Photonics brings multiple laser detection sensors into one hub
With one single hub that joins up laser detection sensors, operators can now see, share and act on laser threats across a wide area in real time.
Big cargo drones complete first BVLOS delivery to North Sea wind farm
Skyports and Ørsted North Sea wind farm cargo drone trial
Big cargo drones complete first BVLOS delivery to North Sea wind farm
Skyports and Ørsted conducted a complex North Sea cargo drone trial, illustrating how heavy loads can safely and efficiently be delivered offshore beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
Aerospace Security

9 Oct 2026

UK Government and UKRI invest £54m to prevent future disease outbreaks
Poultry facility
UK Government and UKRI invest £54m to prevent future disease outbreaks
The UK Government and UKRI are investing £54 million in biosecurity research to tackle antimicrobial resistance, improve disease outbreak preparedness, develop next-generation vaccines and strengthen protection against emerging biological threats.
Security

8 Oct 2026