AVL and QinetiQ Form Strategic Partnership to Advance Digital Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering and Digital Twin Solutions for Defence Land Mobility

AVL and QinetiQ Form Strategic Partnership to Advance Digital Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering and Digital Twin Solutions for Defence Land Mobility

(IN BRIEF) AVL and QinetiQ have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic partnership focused on advancing Model-Based Systems Engineering, Digital Twin technologies and integrated development solutions for defence land mobility and autonomous systems. The collaboration combines AVL’s expertise in simulation-driven development, virtual validation, advanced modelling and Digital Twins with QinetiQ’s capabilities in defence systems engineering, operational analysis and physical test and evaluation. The companies intend to support customers across the full development lifecycle through a connected digital engineering ecosystem that links physics-based modelling and virtual testing with evidence from real-world environments. The approach is designed to increase design maturity earlier, identify technical issues sooner, optimise physical testing, reduce programme risk and shorten the path from development to operational deployment. Tom Stone, Managing Director of AVL Powertrain UK Ltd, said the partnership can improve lifecycle optimisation and reduce physical testing requirements, while Will Blamey, Chief Executive, UK Defence at QinetiQ, highlighted the value of combining digital and live evidence to provide greater insight and support better-informed decisions.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 10-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — AVL and global security and defence company QinetiQ have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership aimed at advancing capabilities in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Digital Twin solutions and land mobility development.

The collaboration will combine the companies’ complementary expertise in digital engineering, simulation, defence systems engineering, operational analysis and physical testing and evaluation. Together, AVL and QinetiQ intend to identify, develop and pursue opportunities across defence procurement, autonomous systems and land mobility programmes.

The partners aim to provide customers with a connected digital engineering environment spanning the development lifecycle, linking physics-based modelling and simulation with virtual validation and real-world testing.

Partnership connects digital modelling with physical testing

Modern defence platforms and mobility programmes increasingly require development processes capable of connecting virtual engineering with physical test environments.

AVL and QinetiQ intend to address this requirement through an integrated approach combining physics-based modelling, Digital Twins, simulation, virtual testing and field validation across varied operating conditions.

The collaboration is designed to enable engineering teams to work from a common digital foundation throughout development, helping create stronger links between system design, simulation results and evidence gathered during physical testing.

This approach is intended to improve visibility throughout the engineering process while supporting more informed decisions before systems progress into later development and testing stages.

AVL contributes simulation-driven development and Digital Twin expertise

AVL will bring its expertise in simulation-driven development, virtual validation, advanced modelling and Digital Twin technologies to the partnership.

These capabilities can allow engineering teams to model and evaluate system behaviour earlier in the development lifecycle, helping identify potential design issues before extensive physical testing is undertaken.

Digital Twins can also provide a persistent digital representation of systems and their performance, supporting analysis and optimisation throughout development and potentially across the wider operational lifecycle.

The companies expect these capabilities to be particularly relevant to complex defence mobility systems where development programmes must account for a wide range of operational requirements and environments.

QinetiQ brings defence systems and test-and-evaluation capabilities

QinetiQ will complement AVL’s digital development capabilities with its expertise in defence systems engineering, operational analysis and physical test and evaluation.

The combination is intended to connect virtual evidence with results generated through specialist real-world testing.

By bringing these disciplines together, the partners aim to create a more integrated development process in which digital and physical evidence can be assessed collectively.

This can help customers understand system performance earlier, refine designs before final testing and focus physical test programmes on the areas where they provide the greatest value.

Common digital foundation designed to reduce programme risk

AVL and QinetiQ said the integrated engineering approach can help accelerate innovation while reducing risk across defence development programmes.

Greater use of modelling and simulation at earlier stages can improve design maturity before expensive prototypes or test campaigns are required.

This can enable technical issues to be identified sooner and reduce the likelihood that significant design changes will be needed later in the programme.

The partners also expect the approach to optimise physical testing requirements, potentially improving efficiency while maintaining the evidence required to support development and validation decisions.

Partnership targets more efficient lifecycle management

The collaboration extends beyond initial design and development.

By maintaining a connected digital engineering foundation, AVL and QinetiQ aim to support improved lifecycle management of complex defence platforms.

Information generated through modelling, simulation and live testing can contribute to a stronger understanding of system performance and help inform future modifications, maintenance requirements and capability development.

The partners said this approach can ultimately reduce the time required to move new technologies from development into operational use.

Strategic collaboration includes autonomous systems opportunities

Alongside land mobility and broader defence procurement programmes, AVL and QinetiQ intend to explore opportunities involving autonomous systems.

Autonomous and increasingly software-enabled defence capabilities place growing demands on modelling, validation and testing because their behaviour must be assessed across complex and potentially changing operating scenarios.

A combination of Digital Twins, simulation and physical test environments can provide a framework for evaluating these systems before deployment.

The memorandum of understanding establishes a basis for the companies to identify programmes where their combined capabilities can offer customers an integrated development and validation solution.

Tom Stone highlights earlier design maturity and reduced testing requirements

Tom Stone, Managing Director of AVL Powertrain UK Ltd, said the partnership brings together complementary capabilities in digital engineering, simulation and real-world testing.

He said the collaboration can help advance mobility solutions for defence applications by enabling greater design maturity earlier in the development process.

Stone added that stronger use of digital engineering can reduce physical testing requirements and support more efficient optimisation throughout the lifecycle of defence systems.

QinetiQ sees value in combining virtual and live evidence

Will Blamey, Chief Executive, UK Defence at QinetiQ, said the new virtual offering will allow customers to develop and test capabilities more quickly before they progress to final evaluation at QinetiQ’s specialised test facilities.

He said combining evidence from digital and live testing environments can provide customers with greater insight and improved value for money.

According to Blamey, this integrated evidence base should also help technical issues to be identified earlier and enable customers to make better-informed programme decisions.

Collaboration supports increasingly digital defence development

The AVL-QinetiQ partnership reflects the increasing role of digital engineering in the development of advanced defence systems.

As platforms become more complex and software-driven, developers are seeking ways to evaluate systems across a wider range of scenarios without depending exclusively on physical prototypes and live testing.

By integrating modelling, simulation, Digital Twins and test-and-evaluation capabilities, the partners aim to establish a development environment that supports faster learning, more efficient validation and reduced programme risk.

About AVL

With around 12,000 employees, AVL is one of the world’s leading mobility technology companies for development, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry and in other sectors such as aviation, marine, and energy. Based on extensive in-house research, AVL develops innovative technologies and development tools for green, safe, and sustainable mobility.

AVL supports international customers and partners in their sustainable and digital transformation. The company focuses on electrification, software, artificial intelligence, and automation. In addition, AVL supports companies in energy-intensive industries on their path to more sustainable and efficient energy generation and supply.

Innovation is a central driving force at AVL. Together with a global network of experts at more than 90 locations and over 45 tech and engineering centers, AVL is actively shaping the future of mobility.

For more information: www.avl.com

About QinetiQ

QinetiQ is an integrated global defence and security company focused on mission-led innovation. We employ c.7,500 highly-skilled people, testing and evaluating defence and civilian capabilities, supporting live defence operations, developing advanced technologies and engineering complex systems. We also run 16 Ministry of Defence land, sea and air ranges and test facilities under the Long Term Partnering Agreement. Visit our website www.QinetiQ.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and X via @QinetiQ.

Media Contact:

email: press@avl.com

SOURCE: AVL