Qinetiq goes on an intelligence mission

Qinetiq is joining forces with US company L3 Communications on the development of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) programmes.

The UK technology group last week signed a memorandum of understanding with L-3 subsidiary, Integrated Systems, to collaborate on technology developments of ‘mutual interest’.

Qinetiq hopes that its vast experience of defence technology products such as advanced sensors will complement the Texas firm’s expertise in the design, development and integration of special-mission systems for military aircraft.

Steve Brittan, managing director of Qinetiq’s spectrum solutions said: ‘This alliance will enable both parties to offer customers significant value in advancing ISTAR and ISR capabilities for the defence departments of the UK, the US and other close allies.’

This is the second deal Qinetiq has signed in as many months. In October it agreed to share electronic surveillance and processing technologies with its US affiliate Qinetiq Inc and BAE Systems. The agreement will also allow the companies to identify and work jointly toward developing system applications in future partnering opportunities in the UK and US.

Qinetiq is currently working with BAE on the advanced demonstration phase of Project Shaman, an MoD programme to provide communication electronic support measures capability to the Royal Navy.

Andrew Sleigh, managing director of defence at Qinetiq, said, ‘We are working with a number of firms on both sides of the Atlantic to investigate new routes to exploit our wide range of technologies. Our success in winning the Shaman programme was the first example of where we bought technology from the two firms together, and we are looking at other areas.’