QinetiQ is a British military technology company, created out of the greater part of the government agency DERA when it was split up in 2001.
When QinetiQ was created, the announcement by Defence Minister Lewis Moonie said that company would become, and remain, a British company based in the UK. The Ministry of Defence would retain a 'Special Share' in the company, and safeguards will be in place to prevent conflicts of interest. In February 2003, the U.S. private equity firm the Carlyle Group acquired a 33.8% share in the company.
As a privatised company, QinetiQ is now one of the largest defence research organisations in the world. While part of DERA, the defence research sites that now form QinetiQ were responsible for the invention of LCDs, carbon fibre, flat-panel speakers, infra-red sensors and microwave radar as well as Chobham armour and shaped charges.