Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Cobham Mission Systems secures Sabena Technics KC-135 TLS contract

Defence

Cobham Mission Systems secures Sabena Technics KC-135 TLS contract

Cobham Mission Systems announced today it has secured a three-year agreement with Sabena technics to provide comprehensive through-life support (TLS) and air-to-air (AAR) equipment maintenance to help Sabena technics ensure effective continued operations of the French Air Force’s KC-135 refuelling tankers.

Image courtesy Cobham Mission Systems

“Since 2009, we have had the pleasure of supporting the Sabena technics team in Nîmes, and we are extremely pleased to continue this collaboration,” said Russell Bailey, vice president air-to-air refuelling for Cobham Mission Systems in the UK.

“Our TLS agreements provide customers with long-term cost savings and faster access to parts and technical support, and gives us important insight into the full AAR product lifecycle. This ultimately helps to inform and educate product design teams working on next generation AAR solutions.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Under the contact, Cobham Mission Systems will continue to provide dedicated in-service support to the air-to-air refuelling pods fitted to the French KC-135 fleet. This includes exclusive repair and overhaul services, engineering support, obsolescence management and guaranteed availability of spares and consumables, during later stages of the aircraft service life.

Cobham Mission Systems is widely recognized as the most technically advanced AAR supplier in the world, with more than 80 years of experience. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of “nose to tail” AAR products including wing air refuelling pods, fuselage refuelling units, buddy-buddy refuelling and a range of refuelling probes. Through TLS service agreements, the company assists customers to maintain optimal operations and efficiencies throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial development to full in-service support and the end of a product service life.

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard
Apache support drones get £10m boost

Defence

Apache support drones get £10m boost

18 May 2026

Fully autonomous drones which will accompany the British Army’s Apache helicopters are receiving a £10 million investment as Project NYX reaches a new milestone.

RAF Typhoons deploying APKWS in Middle East

Defence

RAF Typhoons deploying APKWS in Middle East

18 May 2026

A new Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is being be fitted to RAF Typhoons on operations in the Middle East, providing a low-cost anti-drone weapon to precisely destroy targets for a fraction of the price of missiles currently used.

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

Defence Space

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

18 May 2026

BAE Systems has delivered the sensor subassembly and sensor system controller components for the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar (NGP) programme, providing advanced missile warning, technical intelligence and battlespace characterisation mission capabilities, for the US Space Force.

QinetiQ supports Typhoon counter drone missile integration

Defence

QinetiQ supports Typhoon counter drone missile integration

17 May 2026

QinetiQ has supported the RAF in rapidly integrating and testing laser guided, low-cost missiles to RAF Typhoons, which are now being used in the Middle East to defend against drone attacks.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Dstl backed robotics advance transforms military manufacturing

Defence

Dstl backed robotics advance transforms military manufacturing

15 May 2026

Rivelin Robotics, supported by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) expertise, has created microfactory technology that automates the slow, risky manual finishing of 3D printed parts.

Defence firms incentivised to deliver on time

Defence

Defence firms incentivised to deliver on time

15 May 2026

The UK Government is cracking down on waste and delays as defence companies are to be incentivised to deliver equipment on time and on budget with new reforms to Single Source Contract Regulations.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB