News

QinetiQ today announces it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) that will underpin exploratory discussions on a number of areas relating to KAI’s aircraft programmes. The companies intend to explore opportunities such as the development of advanced data processing methods and leveraging QinetiQ’s expertise in test, trials, training and evaluation.

The MOU was signed at QinetiQ operated MOD Boscombe Down, where the team from KAI were able to see the leading edge test, trials, training and evaluation capabilities QinetiQ provides for the UK Ministry of Defence as well as taking observing and taking part in a series of test flight demonstrations.

Will Blamey, Chief Executive (Interim) UK Defence at QinetiQ said:

QinetiQ has a long history of successful collaborations with industrial partners. We are pleased to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with KAI to explore how we can work together in support of their aircraft programmes.

We were also delighted to welcome back Kang Goo-Young, President of Korea Aerospace Industries, and retired general of the Republic of Korea Air Force to our renowned training school for test pilots and flight test engineers–ETPS. General Kang is an alumni of the school, with personal experience of our world class training facilities. In this, the 80th anniversary year of ETPS, it was an honour to welcome him back.

KAI President Kang Goo-Young said:

We are pleased to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with QinetiQ, which will enable us to leverage their deep expertise in testing, trialling, training, evaluation, and assurance in support of aircraft programmes. It also provides a foundation on which we can explore software solutions for the development of new hyper-connected aerospace platforms for future battlefields.

The team from KAI were in the UK as part of a South Korean government and business delegation to London for a State Visit focused on strengthening relationships and commercial opportunities between the two countries. The official visit included a business forum attended by the President of South Korea and government officials from the Ministry of Transport, Industry and Energy alongside businesses from South Korea and the UK. QinetiQ took part in the cross-sector proceedings, alongside other businesses in defence and security, science and technology, culture and energy.