Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Airbus' Oberon to enhance UK military operations

Defence Space

Airbus' Oberon to enhance UK military operations

UK armed forces personnel will have access to the latest space-based imagery for military operations, following a £127 million deal signed with Airbus for a new satellite system, named Oberon, which will be designed and built in the UK and support around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, boosting the UK’s space capabilities.

Above: Artist impression of an Oberon project spacecraft.
Copyright Airbus

The Oberon satellite system, made up of two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, will be able to capture day and night-time images of the Earth’s surface, strengthening the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. 

Advertisement
Teledyne

Expected to launch in 2027, Oberon will have advanced imagery sensors, building on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite which successfully launched in August last year.  

The deal comes as UK Space Command has published the first images captured by Tyche. The images of Heathrow Airport, Sydney, Washington DC and the California wildfires, demonstrate Tyche’s ability to capture imagery from anywhere on earth when Defence needs it.  

Both satellites form part of the Ministry of Defence’s space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance programme, known as ISTARI, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.  

These satellites will support military operations, for example by monitoring adversary activities and contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information and tracking the impact of climate change around the world.   

UK Space Commander, Major General Paul Tedman said:  "Through UK Space Command, defence is partnering with industry and continuing to invest in advanced and innovative space technologies.

"Oberon, alongside Tyche and other satellites in our ISTARI constellation, will allow us to observe what’s happening on Earth from space at any time and through any weather. This will enable and enhance UK and allied military operations around the world."

The contract for Oberon was awarded via competitive procurement to Airbus, which worked with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises across the UK to leverage innovative new technologies for the 400kg satellites. The antennas for the spacecraft will be supplied by Oxford Space Systems, which has developed carbon fibre structures that stow away in very small volumes for launch but spring into shape once in orbit.  

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

Oberon will play a key part in securing critical UK skills in the growing global space sector. The aerospace sector added almost £40 billion to the economy last year, a growth of 50% in the last 10 years, and employs tens of thousands of people. The project will also help inform the procurement strategy for future space capability requirements.

Space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance offers unparalleled earth observation, operating over any part of the globe. Constellations of ISR satellites can use different sensors and cameras, allowing focus to move quickly from one area of the world to another. In contrast to conventional cameras, Oberon will use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to capture imagery in all-weather conditions.

Ben Bridge, Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman, said: "Oberon’s satellites will give the UK a much-needed sovereign capability and greatly enhance its space surveillance autonomy.  

"Airbus in the UK has more than 45 years’ experience in the design and build of high-resolution radar satellites and, once in orbit, these spacecraft will play a vital role in keeping our Armed Forces safe around the world."

Paul Russell, Space team leader at DE&S said: "This has been a superb team effort by members of DE&S, Space Command, Dstl and industry.  

"With the award of the Oberon contract, we will deliver the next in a series game changing capabilities to UK Space Command providing the UK military with leading Space Based Synthetic Aperture Radar whilst helping to keep our nation safe and prosperous.  

"We are looking forwards to working with Airbus as our Mission Partner to deliver this important capability together."

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

Defence Security Space

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

3 July 2025

Boeing today announced Stephen (Steve) Parker as president and chief executive officer of its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business, effective immediately. Parker has served as interim leader of the Boeing business unit since September 2024.

Lancashire aims at advancing cyber-enabled defence and security

Defence Security Events

Lancashire aims at advancing cyber-enabled defence and security

3 July 2025

Over 200 senior business leaders, investors, policymakers and academics from across the UK gathered this week at the Lancashire Cyber Festival to discuss Lancashire’s opportunity to become a global leader in cyber-enabled defence and security.

Airframe Designs aligns with US NCAMP standards

Aerospace Defence Security

Airframe Designs aligns with US NCAMP standards

3 July 2025

Airframe Designs has aligned its material systems with the US National Centre for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) which works with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry partners to support its existing testing processes.

Bernd Kögel to spearhead launch of DSEI Germany

Defence Security Events

Bernd Kögel to spearhead launch of DSEI Germany

3 July 2025

Clarion Events Defence and Security has announced the appointment of Colonel (ret) Bernd Kögel as Managing Director of DSEI Germany, effective 1st October 2025.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Raytheon UK recieves Gold Employee Recognition Scheme award

Defence Events

Raytheon UK recieves Gold Employee Recognition Scheme award

3 July 2025

Raytheon UK has been awarded the Gold Employee Recognition Scheme award by the Ministry of Defence, in recognition of Raytheon UK’s ongoing commitment to the armed forces community and their support for the Armed Forces Covenant.

Industry delivers UK defence dividend

Defence

Industry delivers UK defence dividend

2 July 2025

Research by Oxford Economics has revealed that the UK Government’s ambition to deliver a 'defence dividend' is already taking effect, with the nation’s biggest defence company, BAE Systems, contributing £13.7 billion to national GDP in 2024, accounting for one in every £200 of the country’s economic output.

Advertisement
ODU RT