Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • QinetiQ unifies its US defence and security ops

Defence Security

QinetiQ unifies its US defence and security ops

QinetiQ has signed an agreement with the US Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency (DCSA) to operate all of its US defence and security operations under a new Special Security Agreement (SSA).

Image courtesy QinetiQ

This agreement replaces the prior Proxy Agreement for the QinetiQ North America business and also covers all operations undertaken through the recent MTEQ acquisition (completed in December 2019).

The SSA enables the bringing together of all of QinetiQ’s US defence and security operations under a single entity, QinetiQ Inc, and as a single QinetiQ brand. This agreement fundamentally changes and improves how QinetiQ approaches the largest defence market in the world and is a major milestone in the growth strategy for QinetiQ.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The US business is led by Mary Williams, former MTEQ President and CEO. The Board is set in accordance with DCSA standards and comprises The Honorable John Hillen (QinetiQ Inc Chair), Steve Wadey (QinetiQ CEO), David Smith (QinetiQ CFO), Directors Dr Pamela Drew and Tom Mills, with Mary Williams.

The unified US business employs 700 people across our main sites in Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and combines world leading expertise in robotics and autonomy with our sensors and integration capability. These aligned capabilities and support from the wider Group are key to QinetiQ’s US growth strategy, enabling QinetiQ to create a business focused on ‘mission-led innovation’; a strategy that will deliver solutions critical to next generation warfighting capability for the US.

QinetiQ’s recent win of the Robotic Combat Vehicle Light (RCV-L) programme is a great example of the strength of the combined capabilities of the new QinetiQ US business, leveraging the combination of expertise in advanced sensors, robotics and autonomy.

Steve Wadey, QinetiQ Group Plc CEO, said: “Building on the acquisition of MTEQ, this new Special Security Agreement enables us to fundamentally reset the way we go to market as an integrated global defence and security company. The way we have come together as a new team, and worked with the DCSA, to achieve the signing of this vital change at pace is notable. The SSA will enable much greater levels of collaboration, making it easier to build integrated business capture teams and to leverage investment across the Group. It will have a profound and positive impact on the way we work, building bigger propositions that add value to the US warfighter.”

Mary Williams, QinetiQ Inc President and CEO, said: “We are now able to move to our next phase of integration for our US business, seeking to fully leverage the range of talent within our US business, and tapping into the capabilities and investments of QinetiQ. This is an exciting time as we develop and execute our mission-led innovation strategy to deliver the adaptable products and services that our armed forces need, and at a pace that exceeds their expectations.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard
Apache support drones get £10m boost

Defence

Apache support drones get £10m boost

18 May 2026

Fully autonomous drones which will accompany the British Army’s Apache helicopters are receiving a £10 million investment as Project NYX reaches a new milestone.

RAF Typhoons deploying APKWS in Middle East

Defence

RAF Typhoons deploying APKWS in Middle East

18 May 2026

A new Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is being be fitted to RAF Typhoons on operations in the Middle East, providing a low-cost anti-drone weapon to precisely destroy targets for a fraction of the price of missiles currently used.

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

Defence Space

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

18 May 2026

BAE Systems has delivered the sensor subassembly and sensor system controller components for the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar (NGP) programme, providing advanced missile warning, technical intelligence and battlespace characterisation mission capabilities, for the US Space Force.

QinetiQ supports Typhoon counter drone missile integration

Defence

QinetiQ supports Typhoon counter drone missile integration

17 May 2026

QinetiQ has supported the RAF in rapidly integrating and testing laser guided, low-cost missiles to RAF Typhoons, which are now being used in the Middle East to defend against drone attacks.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Dstl backed robotics advance transforms military manufacturing

Defence

Dstl backed robotics advance transforms military manufacturing

15 May 2026

Rivelin Robotics, supported by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) expertise, has created microfactory technology that automates the slow, risky manual finishing of 3D printed parts.

Defence firms incentivised to deliver on time

Defence

Defence firms incentivised to deliver on time

15 May 2026

The UK Government is cracking down on waste and delays as defence companies are to be incentivised to deliver equipment on time and on budget with new reforms to Single Source Contract Regulations.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner