QinetiQ US has secured a contract to provide survivability solutions for the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program, according to a recent announcement from the company.
The contract, awarded by Integris Composites, involves the use of QinetiQ’s ‘LAST Armor’ Integration solution, which the firm say offers high-performance ballistic protection for both fixed-wing transport and rotary-wing platforms.
The system will be integrated as part of the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program, which aims to develop a next-generation long-range assault aircraft.
QinetiQ has been a leading global provider of add-on aircraft armour for over 20 years, with LAST Armour first introduced during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Since then, it has protected thousands of combat air and land vehicles and is now installed in over 40 aircraft types used by 16 allied countries. The armour solution combines high-performance fibres and advanced ceramics to offer durable ballistic protection while maintaining a lightweight profile.
Christopher Forrest, Executive Vice President of Advanced Robotics and Mission Solutions at QinetiQ US, expressed the company’s commitment to the project, stating, “QinetiQ US is honored to partner with Integris Composites, a long-time supplier partner, to deliver a tailored armored survivability solution for the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program. Utilising high-performance fibres and advanced ceramics, LAST Armor® solutions offer proven traditional ballistic protection for mission success.”
Integris Composites, formerly known as TenCate Advanced Armour, is collaborating with QinetiQ to enhance the FLRAA’s protective capabilities. Andrew Bonham, President of Integris Composites, stated, “All of us at Integris are proud to be part of the team developing what will become the U.S. Army’s new long-range assault aircraft.”
The partnership leverages Qinetiq’s extensive experience in defence and survivability technologies, ensuring the FLRAA program benefits from the latest advancements in ballistic protection. The manufacturing of LAST Armor takes place at QinetiQ’s facilities in Waltham and Franklin, Massachusetts.
Image Danazar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
