QinetiQ's Zephyr Solar Powered Unmanned Aircraft Soars to New World Records

LONDON, July 16, 2010 - QinetiQ today announced that Zephyr, the leading solar powered
high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) Unmanned Air System (UAS) has been flying
for the past week, smashing a number of long-standing world records.

    Images of the Zephyr can be viewed here:
    www.flickr.com/photos/qinetiq/sets/72157624008459941/

Currently flying high above the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona,
Zephyr has already passed the seven day / 168 hour mark and the clock is
still running. This DOUBLES the unofficial world record for longest duration
unmanned flight of 82 hours, 37 minutes set in 2008 and already held by
Zephyr, and is well in excess of the current official world record of 30
hours 24 minutes set by Northrop Grumman's RQ-4A Global Hawk on 22 March
2001.

As a bold statement of intent QinetiQ invited the Federation Aeronautique
Internationale (FAI), the world air sports federation, to oversee the flight
and an FAI Official has been monitoring progress at the Yuma Proving Ground.
Zephyr's world records will not become official until the aircraft is safely
back on the ground.

The current goal is to fly for a further week and prove Zephyr is the
world's first truly eternal plane, capable of providing a low-cost,
persistent surveillance capability over months rather than days. Potential
applications include earth observation and communications relay in support of
a range of defence, security and commercial requirements.

The current Zephyr aircraft is a genuine breakthrough design, drawing on
the latest technology and represents a massive leap forward in engineering
excellence incorporating an entirely new wing design.

"The team has worked tirelessly over the past few years, making truly
significant leaps forward in overall design and construction - and to see it
successfully soar into the sky was fantastic," explained Jon Saltmarsh,
Zephyr Programme Director. "By being able to remain over a location for weeks
or months at a time, it can usefully deliver a host of practical and more
affordable solutions to both civil and military customers."

Launched by hand, the aircraft flies by day on solar power delivered by
amorphous silicon solar arrays no thicker than sheets of paper that cover the
aircraft's wings. These are also used to recharge the lithium-sulphur
batteries, supplied by Sion Power Inc, which are used to power the aircraft
by night. Together they provide an extremely high power to weight ratio on a
continuous day/night cycle, thereby delivering persistent on-station
capabilities.

Around 50% larger than the previous Zephyr, technical changes now mean it
has a 22.5m wingspan to accommodate more batteries that are combined with a
totally new integrated power management system. The entirely new aerodynamic
shape and high "T" tail also contribute to reduce drag and improve
performance. The payload capacity will meet a number of key surveillance and
communication requirements already demonstrated by Zephyr over the past three
years. Zephyr's ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre design also means it weighs
in at just over 50Kg.

Unlike conventional manned or unmanned aircraft now being operated,
Zephyr does not need to return to base at regular intervals for re-fuelling
or servicing which also helps minimise the logistical supply chain and extend
its operational capability.

    For more information visit:
    www.qinetiq.com/home_farnborough_airshow.html

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Notes for Editors:

A FTSE250 company, QinetiQ uses its domain knowledge to provide technical
advice to customers in the global aerospace, defence and security markets.
QinetiQ's unique position enables it to be a trusted partner to government
organisations, predominantly in the UK and the US, including defence
departments, intelligence services and security agencies. QinetiQ employs
over 13,000 people across the Group. Leo Quinn was appointed Chief Executive
Officer in November 2009 and Mark Elliott became Chairman in March 2010.

Visit the website at www.QinetiQ.com

For further information, please contact Douglas Millard in the QinetiQ Press Office on Tel: +44(0)1252-39-4611 / 3500 Email: DMillard at QinetiQ.com / PressOffice at QinetiQ.com