Leeds-based comms tech specialist scores £2m contract win

Leeds-based Filtronic, designer and manufacturer of products for the aerospace, defence, telecoms infrastructure and space industries, has clinched a lucrative £2 million contract with the globally acclaimed defence and security company, QinetiQ, to design and supply the full RF chain sub-system for a new radar system that will be used for land, sea and air applications.

QinetiQ has a history of working closely with SMEs in their supply chain. It understands the valuable expertise that companies like Filtronic can bring and how SME engagement contributes to commercial success. Filtronic, being a UK-based SME with specialist RF knowledge and strong manufacturing facilities, was an ideal partner for this complex project and phase one of the collaboration – set to unfold over the next two years – will focus on the development of a radio-frequency (RF) subsystem tailored for integration into a vehicular- or helicopter-based radar solution.

Richard Gibbs, the dynamic Chief Executive Officer at Filtronic, stated: “At Filtronic we solve real-world RF problems. This contract from one of the largest global defence and security companies in the world presents an excellent opportunity for us to establish a long-term relationship with a renowned sensing leader like QinetiQ and expand our presence in the UK Defence market. With our world-leading RF knowledge, we are confident and well-equipped to deliver this project for QinetiQ.

“We are pleased to be selected as the preferred partner on this project to provide an RF subsystem for the upgrade of an established range radar system. Winning this contract with a multinational, world-class defence technology company such as QinetiQ, is an important strategic development as we add a target client to our customer register and broaden the customer base.

“We look forward to working with our new customer to develop the product, deliver the final solution and build further on the relationship.”