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
FIA2026 animated banner
Spectra Group receives first MoD order for GENSS

Defence

Spectra Group receives first MoD order for GENSS

20 May 2026

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd has received its first order from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the recently launched GENSS tactical communications system as a defence unicorn.

Serco awarded £65m US Army mission support contract

Defence

Serco awarded £65m US Army mission support contract

20 May 2026

Serco has been awarded a five-year contract by the US Army worth more than £65 million ($90 million) to support the Planning Programming Budgeting Business Operating System (PPB BOS).

Austability Group acquires majority stake in Nine23

Defence Security

Austability Group acquires majority stake in Nine23

20 May 2026

Austability Group Ltd, which provides expeditionary operational support services for the defence and national security sector, has acquired a majority shareholding (80%) in Nine23 Ltd, one of the UK’s high-assurance managed service providers.

Navantia UK debuts autonomous vessel design

Defence Events

Navantia UK debuts autonomous vessel design

19 May 2026

At the Combined Naval Event in Farnborough today, Navantia UK unveiled its large autonomous surface vessel - LASV75 - as an example of the hi-tech capabilities of its four yards, which are undergoing large-scale modernisation.

Advertisement
ODU RT
QinetiQ to test British Army’s remote-controlled artillery systems

Defence

QinetiQ to test British Army’s remote-controlled artillery systems

19 May 2026

QinetiQ has been awarded a contract from the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group to put the British Army’s newly contracted Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) next generation artillery system through rigorous tests to ensure it is safe to use on operations.

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

Aerospace Defence

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

19 May 2026

Hexagon’s Production Software Division has announced the latest release of NCSIMUL, strengthening its integrated approach to NC programme verification, simulation and optimisation with a new Selective Simulation capability.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard