QinetiQ North America Applies its Wind Profiling Portable Radar Technology for Accurate Single-Pass Airdrops to U.S. Military Ground Forces

WALTHAM, Mass., March 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- QinetiQ North America (QNA) today announced that it has recently received a $3M contract from the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for its Wind Profiling Portable Radar (WiPPR®) technology. WiPPR provides near real-time precision wind measurements which will enable C-130 and C-17 aircrews to airdrop critical supplies more accurately and quickly to U.S. ground forces in austere locations.

Under the contract, QNA will design and build a prototype airborne WiPPR unit that will be tested to demonstrate accurate wind measurement in near real-time. Airborne WiPPR is based on QNA's commercially available ground based WiPPR Wind-Profiling Portable Radar technology. WiPPR systems are available for research, weather, and commercial wind markets worldwide.  

"Airborne WiPPR will provide the airdrop aircraft an organic capability to characterize the air mass and execute a "single-pass" precision resupply of troops in contact," said Bob Polutchko, Vice President of QNA's Emerging Markets. "This capability will reduce the exposure of aircraft and aircrews to enemy countermeasures."

QNA has a long history of providing operational systems to the US military that provide local meteorological data in support of critical operations including airdrop.  WiPPR is the next step in this operational capability.

About QinetiQ North America
QinetiQ North America (QNA) is a subsidiary of QinetiQ Group plc, the FTSE250 company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:QQ.L). QNA delivers world-class technology and revolutionary products to the defense, security, commercial, utility and transportation markets. Customers rely on QNA products to increase situational awareness, aid in personal safety, enhance security and streamline operations. QNA products include unmanned systems, military protection, power sensors and control systems and transportation safety solutions. QNA is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts and operates as the US arm of QinetiQ Group's Global Products division. For more information, visit www.qinetiq-na.com.

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SOURCE QinetiQ North America