Integris Composites and QinetiQ US have collaborated to enhance the survivability of the US Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).The defense manufacturers will develop armor systems, with Integris using its expertise to supply military armor boosting the future medium-lift tilt-rotor aircraft’s durability, speed, range, and payload capabilities.Meanwhile, QinetiQ is expected to provide the systems engineering and integration expertise for the materials technology used in the advanced rotorcraft’s floor and wing.David Cordova, Integris’ chief commercial officer, highlighted that this partnership “builds upon Integris’ initial selection by Bell Textron to provide armor systems for the FLRAA,” referring to an announcement from November last year. “We are extremely proud to be part of the team behind this innovative rotorcraft that is ushering in what will become the US Army’s new long-range assault aircraft,” Cordova said. Program UpdatesThe FLRAA program, an initiative to replace the US Army’s aging UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopter fleet, was launched in 2019.Bell Textron secured the $1.3-billion contract in 2022 to develop the advanced aircraft, with prototype testing scheduled for 2026 and plans to deliver it by 2030.In August 2024, the program entered its engineering and manufacturing development phase where Bell started detailed design work on six prototypes.Integris Armor KitsApart from the FLRAA, Integris also provided armor kits to the US Air Force’s Boeing-manufactured MH-139A Grey Wolf multi-role chopper fleet, first delivered in August 2024.“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),” said Cordova.The post Integris, QinetiQ Partner to Supply Armor for US Army’s FLRAA Rotorcraft appeared first on The Defense Post.