Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Cobham expands facilities at RAF Brize Norton

Defence

Cobham expands facilities at RAF Brize Norton

Cobham Mission Systems today announced the expansion of its facilities supporting the AirTanker consortium at Royal Air Force (RAF) Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

Above: RAF A330 Voyager refuelling a Tornado and a Typhoon.
Courtesy Cobham © Geoffrey Lee

Cobham Mission Systems aims to increase the capability, speed and efficiency of its repair and return of parts operations. This supports the Voyager fleet of Airbus A330s, which provide state-of-the-art air-to-air refuelling, air transport and aero-medical evacuation capability for the Royal Air Force (RAF).  

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

“Our team is thrilled to be advancing our Service Centre operations in the AirTanker facility at Brize Norton,” said Jonathan Connell, senior vice president general manager for Cobham Mission Systems in the UK.

“This will allow us to enhance our team’s ability to more rapidly and cost effectively service and repair our equipment installed on the Voyager fleet, which is incredibly critical to the mission of the Royal Air Force. By bringing more of our technology and innovation expertise to benefit broader RAF operations, we’re doubling down on our commitment to helping secure the nation. Additionally, this move gives us a great way to open up more opportunities for repair and service operations through our Service Centre in Wimborne, which will continue to serve as our largest central repair and service hub in the UK.”

By opening more bandwidth of its service and repair team at Brize Norton, Cobham Mission Systems plans to boost service flow and support at its facilities in Wimborne. In total, a core fleet of 10 Airbus A330 Voyager aircraft are supported by a team of designated workshop engineers across the two UK locations.

Cobham Mission Systems continues to invest heavily in further refined technologies, applications and solutions that may inspire future innovations for the aviation marketplace.  

Advertisement
ODU RT

Since being awarded the contract in 2008, Cobham Mission Systems has been providing ongoing support to AirTanker and the Airbus A330 Voyager fleet located at the Brize Norton RAF base. Located about 75 miles north-west of London, Brize Norton is the largest RAF station. Cobham is a core part of the AirTanker team, who provide air transport and air-to-air refuelling capability.
 
Cobham Mission Systems provides the most trusted solutions in aerospace globally today, ranging from cutting edge, reliable air-to-air refuelling solutions that include modern tanker hose and drogue equipment, to modern and fully digital electric systems as well as advanced life support solutions. Now delivering fifth-generation hose and drogue designs, Cobham Mission Systems provides a comprehensive portfolio of air-to-air refuelling products that include wing pods, fuselage refuelling units, buddy-buddy refuelling and a range of refuelling probes.

 

Advertisement
Gulfstream banner
UK Defence Diplomacy Strategy launched

Defence

UK Defence Diplomacy Strategy launched

24 March 2026

UK military personnel will be put through their paces as part of a new diplomacy training programme, upskilling specialists in negotiation and languages as part of the UK's first Defence Diplomacy Strategy launched today. 

DroneShield and OpenWorks Engineering expand C2 interoperability

Defence Security

DroneShield and OpenWorks Engineering expand C2 interoperability

24 March 2026

Counter-unmanned systems (C-UxS) solutions provider, DroneShield, today announced interoperability between DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control software and optical sensing technologies from OpenWorks Engineering.

Fiona Walters takes over as Serco’s UK & Europe CEO

Defence Security Space

Fiona Walters takes over as Serco’s UK & Europe CEO

24 March 2026

Fiona Walters has taken up her role as CEO of the UK & Europe division of Serco, having joined Serco in September 2025 from G4S, where she was Regional CEO for the UK & Ireland, leading a team of more than 30,000 people.

GKN Aerospace delivers upgraded RM12 engine to Swedish Armed Forces

Defence

GKN Aerospace delivers upgraded RM12 engine to Swedish Armed Forces

24 March 2026

GKN Aerospace has successfully delivered the first upgraded RM12 engine to the Swedish Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing RM12EP (Enhanced Performance) programme.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
FNX Ventures invests in Sentinel Photonics

Defence

FNX Ventures invests in Sentinel Photonics

24 March 2026

Sentinel Photonics, a UK defence technology company specialising in laser detection, prevention and intelligence, has secured investment from European venture capital firm, FNX Ventures.

Spectra launches GENSS production version

Defence Space Events

Spectra launches GENSS production version

23 March 2026

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, specialists in delivering secure, reliable and resilient beyond line-of-sight communications for operations in denied and contested environments, has formally launched the production version of GENSS at the Satellite Show.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner