Integris and QinetiQ Join Forces to Enhance Survivability of Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)

TYSONS CORNER, Va. - PrZen -- Integris Composites, a leading supplier of advanced armor systems, recently announced it is partnering with QinetiQ US to provide armor systems for the U.S. Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)—the next-generation helicopter program that addresses the U.S. Army's 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 the positioning of Integris Composites in the cutting-edge military aviation sector," said David Cordova, chief commercial officer of Integris, Inc.

Integris has 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 said this is the latest collaboration in the history between QinetiQ and Integris.

The FLRAA program has entered the engineering and manufacturing development phase, with Bell reporting it has commenced detailed design work on six prototypes.

"We are extremely proud to be part of the team behind this innovative rotorcraft that is ushering in what will become the U.S. Army's new long-range assault aircraft," Cordova continued. The QinetiQ-Integris collaboration leverages Integris' expertise in lightweight, fit-for-purpose composite military armor, which has been successfully applied to various aerospace projects.

Cordova said 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.

Global Helicopter Armor Resource

"Integris is today 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. We are a credentialed tier one supplier to aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and prime defense contractors throughout the world," said 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 continued.

Integris has provided ballistic protection for various international helicopter platforms, including:

• Airbus H-125 – special lightweight, high-performance kits for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
• Airbus Military – H135, NH90, H145, H225M (Super Puma), H175, and potentially the H160
• Leonardo Helicopters – AW159, AW101, and AW169

Trusted Resource

In addition to armor kits for rotorcraft, the company has been contracted to support Velocity Systems, the Battelle Memorial Institute, Mack Defense, American Rheinmetall Vehicles, and the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Integris also has a strong reputation for the body armor plates that protect military personnel around the world. "We are pleased to report that our Cratus™ Wave ballistic armor, an innovative thinner and heat stress-reducing body armor insert, was ordered by the U.S. Air Force 582nd Helicopter Group.

About Integris

Integris is a global engineering company and manufacturer of composite armor for land vehicles, aircraft, naval craft, protection housings for optronics and other sensitive technology and personal protection gear. The company was known as TenCate Armor until the company was renamed in 2023.

Photo: Redstone Arsenal, Ala. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.