Integris, QinetiQ join forces to support FLRAA aircraft advancements
QinetiQ is contracted to provide systems engineering and integration expertise for the materials tech being used for the rotorcraft’s flooring and wing.
The Bell V-280 Valor, pictured here, was chosen by the U.S. Army as the winner of FLLRA program. The new assault aircraft will fly twice as far and twice as fast as the current fleet. Source | Integris Composites Inc.
Integris Composites Inc. (Vienna, Va., U.S.), a global company manufacturing armor protection for military, police and security, has become a Tier 1 supplier of military helicopter armor for (Tysons Corner, Va., U.S.), as part of the U.S. Army’s future long-range assault aircraft (FLRAA). The next-gen helicopter program addresses requirements for increased speed, range and survivability.
“This collaboration builds upon Integris’ initial selection by Bell Textron to provide armor systems for the FLRAA, further solidifying our position,” says David Cordova, chief commercial officer of Integris Inc.
The FLRAA program itself has entered the engineering and manufacturing development phase, with Bell reporting it has commenced detailed design work on six prototypes.
Integris awarded QinetiQ the contract to provide systems engineering and integration expertise for the materials technology that will be used on both the floor and wing of the advanced rotorcraft. Cordova says this is the latest collaboration in the history between QinetiQ and Integris, leveraging Integris’ expertise in lightweight, fit-for-purpose composite military armor, which has been successfully applied to various aerospace projects.
Cordova adds that Integris, in alignment with other industry partners, supports key program objectives, including Bell’s modular open systems approach (MOSA), increased survivability and alignment with the broader Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative, as the FLRAA progresses toward prototype testing in 2026 and fielding by 2030.
“Integris is entering its fourth decade of business as a reliable resource for major military commands as well as a robust partner of choice for the world’s top defense contractors,” says Cordova.
The company is supplying armor kits for the new Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf that will replace the UH-60 Black Hawk for the U.S. Air Force. “We are part of a storied lineage that traces its roots back to the iconic Vietnam-era ‘Huey’ [UH-1 Iroquois] and present-day Black Hawk, which since 1979 has been the Army’s utility tactical transport aircraft system [UTTAS],” Cordova adds.
Integris has provided ballistic protection for other various international helicopter platforms, including the Airbus H-125, Airbus Military (H135, NH90, H145, H225M (Super Puma), H175 and potentially the H160) and Leonardo Helicopters (AW159, AW101 and AW169).
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