General Atomics

Serco awarded contract to support NavyX ship XV Patrick Blackett

Serco has been awarded a contract to provide ship support services for the Royal Navy’s XV PATRICK BLACKETT.

Image courtesy Serco

The contract commences on 1st April 2025 and is for an initial period of two years with options to extend it for up to a further three years and is valued at up to £6.6 million for the five years.
 
Under the contract, Serco will provide technical management services as well as ad-hoc work required by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) such as physical maintenance, bespoke capability enhancements and the development of design feasibility studies.
 
Commenting on the award, Doug Umbers, Managing Director of Serco’s Defence business, said: “We are excited that we have been given this opportunity to support the Royal Navy’s unique trials ship, the XV Patrick Blackett. The contract gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to developing our maintain, repair and overhaul specialist maritime services.  
 
“XV Patrick Blackett optimises the Royal Navy’s focus on agility and innovation and we are proud to have been chosen to provide our engineering and technical expertise to ensure the vessel’s maximum availability and utilisation and to support the Royal Navy’s force generation and capability development.”

NavyX’s 270-tonne unique trials ship, XV (eXperimental Vessel) Patrick Blackett, which bears the name of the former Royal Navy Officer and Nobel Prize Winner Patrick Blackett, is paving the way for advanced experimentation, innovation and future capabilities within the Royal Navy and ensuring that the UK stays at the leading edge of naval warfare.

Related

ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
Menzies Aviation launches fuel operations at Aberdeen International Airport
Menzies aviation refuelling at aberdeen
Menzies Aviation launches fuel operations at Aberdeen International Airport
Menzies Aviation has commenced into-plane fuelling and fuel farm operations at Aberdeen International Airport.
Aerospace Member News

15 Jul 2026

London Gatwick gets another new airline as Air China launches Chengdu flights
Air China London Gatwick
London Gatwick gets another new airline as Air China launches Chengdu flights
Air China has launched a new London Gatwick service to Chengdu Tianfu, strengthening the airport’s growing China network during a busy year for new airline and route growth.
Aerospace Member News

14 Jul 2026

Scotland to receive major share of UK’s £26 billion naval base investment
HMS Clyde Royal Naval Base
Scotland to receive major share of UK’s £26 billion naval base investment
Why UK is investing £26 billion in infrastructure upgrades to address the Royal Navy's poor readiness and strengthen resilience.
Defence

15 Jul 2026

ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
Final Jackal 3 vehicle rolls off Babcock production line for British Army
Babcock completes final Jackal 3 vehicle for British Army
Final Jackal 3 vehicle rolls off Babcock production line for British Army
Babcock and Supacat have completed production of 123 Jackal 3 and Jackal 3 Extenda vehicles for the British Army at Devonport.
Defence Member News

15 Jul 2026

ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
More than 600 finance leaders confirmed for Farnborough International Airshow
Aerospace Global News Theatre at Farnborough International Airshow
More than 600 finance leaders confirmed for Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow will bring together more than 600 finance and investment leaders for its first dedicated summit connecting capital with aerospace, defence, space and security.
York completes $300m acquisition of ALL.SPACE
York Space Systems completes acquisition of ALL.SPACE
York completes $300m acquisition of ALL.SPACE
York Space Systems has completed its acquisition of ALL.SPACE, bringing multi-orbit terminal technology together with space infrastructure and mission operations capability.
Member News Space

11 Jul 2026

ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
More than 600 finance leaders confirmed for Farnborough International Airshow
Aerospace Global News Theatre at Farnborough International Airshow
More than 600 finance leaders confirmed for Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow will bring together more than 600 finance and investment leaders for its first dedicated summit connecting capital with aerospace, defence, space and security.
£251m policing package to strengthen protection for Jewish communities
Police on patrol to protect Jewish citizens
£251m policing package to strengthen protection for Jewish communities
The government has announced more than £250 million over three years to increase policing, counter-terrorism capability and specialist protection for Jewish communities across England and Wales.
Security

13 Jul 2026