Aerospace and Defense - In 2001, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), privatized their laboratories and test ranges, creating QinetiQ and entering into a long term partnership. In 2004, QinetiQ acquired the U.S. companies Westar and Foster-Miller, the first two of a string of acquisitions that would eventually become QinetiQ North America. In 2006, QinetiQ (LSE: QQ) became a public company. While it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of QinetiQ, QinetiQ North America is an independent U.S. company separated from QinetiQ by a proxy agreement that protects the national interests of the United States. Our employees reflect our values in their dedication to our customers’ missions.