Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Cobham supports Full Service Date achievement for RAF Voyager

Defence

Cobham supports Full Service Date achievement for RAF Voyager

On 30th September 2016 the AirTanker consortium, of which Cobham is a shareholder, reached the final milestone in the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme with the achievement of Full Service Date (FSD).

The FSTA project, which is the largest private funded defence project to date, includes a 27-year contract through to 2035 that covers the delivery of aircraft as well as the associated infrastructure, service and support.  Cobham, which has provided its air-to-air refuelling equipment for the aircraft, will be maintaining these systems on the Wing and in the Fuselage of the Voyager for the duration of the contract. 

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

Alan Ephgrave, Vice President at Cobham Mission Systems in Wimborne said “When we stand back and take stock of what has been achieved it is truly magnificent.  Working alongside our colleagues within AirTanker Services Ltd to deliver such outstanding capability to the RAF is ground-breaking and we are very proud of the role played by Cobham in helping deliver this.”


Courtesy Cobham © Geoffrey Lee

The final aircraft, FSTA 14, arrived at RAF Brize Norton in July 2016, completing the aircraft delivery requirements of the FSTA Contract.  The fleet of nine core and five surge aircraft, operate in both the military and civil leasing sectors. 

Phill Blundell, CEO AirTanker Ltd, said: "Today is a landmark date for everyone involved in the Voyager programme. Following the contract award to AirTanker by the Ministry of Defence in 2008, the whole AirTanker team has worked tirelessly together with our industry partners and RAF colleagues to deliver this vital capability. The fact that we have done so on time and on budget is testament to that teamwork and commitment." 

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Peli launches 9730 RALS

Defence Security

Peli launches 9730 RALS

8 January 2026

Peli Products has launched the Peli 9730 Remote Area Lighting System (RALS), a next-generation lighting solution combining power, safety and portability.

First Jupiter HC2 enters service in the UK

Defence

First Jupiter HC2 enters service in the UK

8 January 2026

The Joint Aviation Command (JAC) has officially welcomed the Jupiter HC2 into service, marking a significant milestone in modernising the UK’s rotary wing capability.

Serco secures Asia Pacific defence contracts

Defence

Serco secures Asia Pacific defence contracts

7 January 2026

Serco has reinforced its position in Asia Pacific with contract wins and extensions in the defence sector in Australia, including a successful rebid of the HMAS Watson Navy Synthetic Warfare Training contract for the Royal Australian Navy.

Babcock and Frankenburg Technologies partner on counter-drone system

Defence

Babcock and Frankenburg Technologies partner on counter-drone system

7 January 2026

Babcock has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Frankenburg Technologies to explore the development of a new and affordable air defence system in response to the increase of one-way attack drones.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Cranfield University continues collaboration with HMGCC

Defence Security

Cranfield University continues collaboration with HMGCC

7 January 2026

Cranfield University is continuing to help address national security engineering challenges through an ongoing collaboration with HMGCC (His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre) and its Co-Creation initiative: a partnership with Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory).

IFS to acquire Softeon

Aerospace Defence Security

IFS to acquire Softeon

6 January 2026

IFS today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Softeon, a provider of cloud-native Warehouse Management, Warehouse Execution and Distributed Order Management solutions.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB