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

easyJet faces $72 million lawsuit over six Russian-linked Airbus jets
EasyJet Airbus A319-100 (G-EZBR), the hundredth Airbus to be delivered to EasyJet, lands at Bristol International Airport, England, with special livery.
easyJet faces $72 million lawsuit over six Russian-linked Airbus jets
A dispute over six parked Airbus A319s has escalated into a High Court battle that could shape future interpretations of sanctions-era leasing obligations.
Aerospace

9 Sep 2026

AIRCAIRO places first direct Airbus order with deal for 15 A320neos
AIRCAIRO
AIRCAIRO places first direct Airbus order with deal for 15 A320neos
The Egyptian carrier is adding owned aircraft to its fleet strategy as it targets more than 130 aircraft by 2034.
Aerospace Member News

9 Sep 2026

UK aerospace and aviation contribute £11 billion a year to South West economy
Airbus Landing Gear inspection in Filton
UK aerospace and aviation contribute £11 billion a year to South West economy
A new industry report highlights the sector's wider impact, supporting over 89,800 jobs and helping drive investment, tourism and international connectivity across the region.
Aerospace

9 Sep 2026

Filtronic strengthens access to India’s space and defence sectors
Filtronic and Spur Microwave MoU signing
Filtronic strengthens access to India’s space and defence sectors
Following the signing of an MoU with Spur Microwave, Sedgefield based high-frequency connectivity solutions provider Filtronic, aims to increased its access to space and defence opportunities in India.
From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow
From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
This week, Farnborough International Airshow celebrates 78 years since the first airshow took place. Here's how Farnborough has become a global marketplace for aerospace and defence... and what's next.
Aerospace Defence Space

8 Sep 2026

UK military to practise mobilising 95,000 veterans for war
Soldiers on patrol
UK military to practise mobilising 95,000 veterans for war
The UK will test how quickly it can recall and equip former military personnel as the MoD prepares its 95,000-strong Strategic Reserve for a potential major conflict.
Defence

8 Sep 2026

Filtronic strengthens access to India’s space and defence sectors
Filtronic and Spur Microwave MoU signing
Filtronic strengthens access to India’s space and defence sectors
Following the signing of an MoU with Spur Microwave, Sedgefield based high-frequency connectivity solutions provider Filtronic, aims to increased its access to space and defence opportunities in India.
From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow
From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
This week, Farnborough International Airshow celebrates 78 years since the first airshow took place. Here's how Farnborough has become a global marketplace for aerospace and defence... and what's next.
Aerospace Defence Space

8 Sep 2026

SaxaVord secures £60m funding to expand its launch capability
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
SaxaVord secures £60m funding to expand its launch capability
Operating the only licensed vertical launch spaceport in the UK, SaxaVord is looking to advance its launch capability with fresh funding from the UK Government and private investors.
Space

8 Sep 2026

MBDA opens Poland missile facility as UK defence partnership deepens
MBDA facility Czosnow, Poland
MBDA opens Poland missile facility as UK defence partnership deepens
In an initiative that supports the UK’s commitment to reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank by bolstering Polish air defences, a new facility built with British expertise has been opened in Poland.
Chess introduces AI-enabled Low SWaP CHARM50
Low-SWaP-CHARM50
Chess introduces AI-enabled Low SWaP CHARM50
Chess Dynamics has expanded its Vision4ce CHARM portfolio with the introduction of its Low SWaP CHARM50, a new compact AI-enabled edge video processing module which supports growing demand for smart sensors, distributed sensing architectures and low-SWaP ISR applications.
UK firms exposed by simulated attacks on satellites, subsea cables and financial infrastructure
Lockheed martin cybersecurity
UK firms exposed by simulated attacks on satellites, subsea cables and financial infrastructure
How a new FCS exercise brought financial firms and the MoD together to gain a better understanding of modern threats to British financial services and how to better prepare.
Defence Security

8 Sep 2026