Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Airbus awarded MoD contract to support UK's SKYNET

Defence Space

Airbus awarded MoD contract to support UK's SKYNET

Airbus has been awarded the Skynet Design Support Contract (SDSC) to provide design authority services support for the UK’s SKYNET military satellite communications systems.

Image copyright Airbus
 
The contract will provide post-design services to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and its future service providers to support the transition from SKYNET 5, which was procured under a PFI arrangement that began in 2003, towards an MoD-owned, contractor-operated system under SKYNET 6. This includes SKYNET 6A, which Airbus is currently developing.
 
Steven Fisher, the MoD's Director Delivery (Intelligence and Expeditionary Services), said: “SDSC reflects our ongoing commitment to maintain the SKYNET 5 system that forms the backbone of UK military satellite communications.

Advertisement
ODU RT

"It also recognises Airbus as the design authority for SKYNET 5, alongside being a key strategic supplier of UK sovereign space capability in the form of SKYNET 6A, which is a vital first step in our programme to replace and replenish our space-based assets.”
 
Richard Budd, Head of Secure Communications UK, US and Australia, Airbus Defence and Space, said: “The scope of SDSC - which runs from March 2024 for five years - includes both the satellites and the infrastructure on the ground.

"The contract supports the retention of specialist space and ground-segment roles and confirms Airbus’ ongoing involvement in the SKYNET programme, including the production of the SKYNET 6A satellite in our world-leading Stevenage and Portsmouth facilities.”

 

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Vision Engineering appoints Harry Curtis as Technical Director

Aerospace Defence

Vision Engineering appoints Harry Curtis as Technical Director

17 April 2026

Woking headquartered Vision Engineering Group, provider of ergonomic microscopy and metrology solutions, has announced the appointment of Harry Curtis to the position of Technical Director, effective 1st April 2026.

Drone swarms central to AWE26

Defence Events

Drone swarms central to AWE26

17 April 2026

Drones have been at the centre of this year's Army Warfighting Experiment 2026, which each year brings together soldiers, scientists, industry and universities, to test new military technology.

Dstl assesses robotic systems in hazardous incident recovery trial

Defence

Dstl assesses robotic systems in hazardous incident recovery trial

17 April 2026

In a ‘real life’ scenario played out in an empty shopping unit, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has tested the ability of robotic and autonomous systems to navigate through a building and detect, sample and remediate (clean) a contaminated environment.

QinetiQ pays aerial tribute to iconic Spitfire

Defence Events

QinetiQ pays aerial tribute to iconic Spitfire

17 April 2026

The QinetiQ operated ETPS test pilot school based at MoD Boscombe Down has taken part in the historic Spitfire90 commemorative tour, as the only civilian-registered participants in the nine-day national flight schedule.

Advertisement
ODU RT
SitaWare Headquarters introduces Joint Fires and Targeting capabilities

Defence

SitaWare Headquarters introduces Joint Fires and Targeting capabilities

16 April 2026

Systematic has introduced within SitaWare Headquarters 6.22, a dedicated Targeting Application that brings the targeting process into the same C4ISR environment used for operational planning, situational awareness and mission execution.

Thales launches TopStar Smart Receiver

Defence

Thales launches TopStar Smart Receiver

16 April 2026

Thales has launched its TopStar Smart Receiver, a three-in-one ultra-compact solution providing land forces with resilient positioning, navigation and timing capabilities, while maintaining radio communications in increasingly contested electronic warfare environments.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner