Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence

QinetiQ wins $170m US TARS contract

QinetiQ Group plc has won a five-year $170 million contract with the US Department of Homeland Security for the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS).

Image courtesy QinetiQ

TARS is the largest new business competitive win for Avantus since our acquisition last year and builds on recent significant contract awards, reported in our Interim Results last week.

This win takes the total new contract awards this year for Avantus to $827 million, equivalent to more than over two and a half years of revenue cover. These major contract wins deliver new incremental business, building momentum to deliver strong revenue growth in the second half of this year and beyond, underpinning our confidence that Avantus will deliver double-digit revenue growth at stable margin into the medium term.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Avantus has transformed our customer access in the US, expanding our customer base and creating a disruptive mid-tier business in the US. During the first half of the year, we have also identified new business opportunities worth an additional $1.5bn over the next five years, created through the combination of capabilities across the US and our other markets to drive our future growth plan.

TARS provides detection, tracking and monitoring capabilities in diverse environments at and beyond the US borders. Under this five-year contract, QinetiQ will deliver aerostat operations, air-surface radar operations, ground control and data networking systems monitoring, and data analysis in support of border security and air sovereignty missions. The programme will be delivered through the provision of mission support, operations and maintenance, and lifecycle and programme management.

Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer of QinetiQ, said: “Winning TARS is another significant and exciting milestone in the US – a clear demonstration of Avantus delivering growth. TARS is an integral part of our customer’s mission to protect the US border and a critical capability to US national security. This win further reinforces our growth plan for Avantus and our wider business in the US.”
 

 

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Babcock Announces Capability Centre Location in Heart of Plymouth

Defence

Babcock Announces Capability Centre Location in Heart of Plymouth

2 April 2026

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has today confirmed the location for its new Capability Centre in Plymouth - a major milestone in plans to relocate up to 2,000 highly skilled employees into the heart of the city.

Saab secures UK order for Giraffe 1X radar

Defence

Saab secures UK order for Giraffe 1X radar

2 April 2026

Saab UK has received an order from the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the compact radar system Giraffe 1X.

MGI conducts first TigerShark flights with Auterion

Aerospace Defence Security

MGI conducts first TigerShark flights with Auterion

2 April 2026

MGI Engineering Ltd (MGI) has announced the successful first flights of its TigerShark uncrewed deep strike platform, in partnership with Auterion.

Rolls-Royce secures German Puma propulsion contract

Defence

Rolls-Royce secures German Puma propulsion contract

2 April 2026

Rolls-Royce Power Systems has secured one of the largest defence contracts in its history, for around 200 new mtu PowerPacks featuring the 10V 890 engine for the Bundeswehr’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle.

Advertisement
ODU RT
UK and France to develop next-gen air-to-air missile

Defence

UK and France to develop next-gen air-to-air missile

1 April 2026

The United Kingdom and France have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a joint study into the development of a successor to the Meteor missile, one of the world's most advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air weapons.

Solar array to be installed at Bassingbourn Barracks

Defence Events

Solar array to be installed at Bassingbourn Barracks

1 April 2026

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), working with Custom Solar on behalf of the British Army, held a ground-breaking ceremony for a new solar array at Bassingbourn Barracks.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner