Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract

Serco has won a five-year contract from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to continue operating and maintaining the UK’s early warning radar at RAF Fylingdales in Yorkshire.

The deal will also see the introduction of a new software tool designed to enhance the tracking and analysis of objects in space.

What is the new Serco contract?

The contract, awarded by the National Armaments Director Group, will see Serco continue to operate, maintain and sustain the Solid State Phased Array Radar (SSPAR).

This radar forms part of the UK and US government’s Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR), at RAF Fylingdales.

Designed to detect and track missiles, the radar acts as a major deterrent as part of the US Missile Defence ground-based radar network. Serco provides uninterrupted support 24/7, 365 days a year at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire, to deliver optimal radar performance. Serco is also responsible for the radar’s hardware and systems operation and maintenance, as well as providing analytical and training activities.

Why RAF Fylingdales is such a critical infrastructure asset

At RAF Fylingdales, the Serco team is integral to the facility’s tracking of objects in Low Earth Orbit every day of the year. During 2025 the SSPAR completed over 5.9 million tracks of satellites in Low Earth Orbit, with real-time analysis provided by Serco of satellite breakups, re-entries, new launches, manoeuvres and more.

Anthony Kirby, Serco Group Chief Executive, said: “We are immensely proud of our dedicated team at RAF Fylingdales who are entrusted to seamlessly deliver this continuous service, helping to defend the nation and protect our skies.”

“We have a long history over sixty years supporting the UK Space Command, US Space Force and the Royal Air Force at RAF Fylingdales, with our people at the heart of this critical infrastructure asset. Our success in securing this contract reflects the strength of our expertise and growing capabilities in defence and builds on our recent strong momentum.”

The contract, which begins in April 2027, has the option of an additional two-year extension period.

How new software will be used to analyse radar tracking data

As part of the contract, a new software analytical tool, developed by Serco – the Enhanced Spacetrack Processor (ESP) – will be used to analyse large amounts of track data to determine the position, orbit and size of objects in Low Earth Orbit.

The ESP has been developed with the RAF and UK Space Command. It replaces the United Kingdom Spacetrack Processor (UKSP), a longstanding Serco-developed system, which was used over three decades.

Local partnerships to help build specific skill sets

During the contract, multiple Level 3 apprenticeships will be available for school or college leavers, as well as Level 5 and 6 apprenticeships for existing employees.

Serco has partnered with Teesside University and Redcar & Cleveland College, to create an RAF Fylingdales-specific apprenticeship, allowing individuals to gain critical skills, achieve qualifications and build sustainable careers in the defence industry.