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

UK flights impacted by US nationwide ground stop as knock-on effects continue
Heathrow Airport
UK flights impacted by US nationwide ground stop as knock-on effects continue
The US Transportation Secretary blamed ageing infrastructure and overloaded TDM routers for the nationwide FAA ground stop.
Aerospace Security

14 Nov 2026

Why technical expertise alone will not win aerospace business
Scott Pendry, ADS Head of Aerospace Business Development and International Trade
Why technical expertise alone will not win aerospace business
Technical capability opens doors, but aerospace buyers also need confidence in quality, delivery and capacity, explains ADS’s Scott Pendry.
Aerospace Insights

14 Nov 2026

The British airliner that found a second life fighting fires
BAe 146 Atmospheric Research Aircraft
The British airliner that found a second life fighting fires
Once a familiar sight on regional airline routes, the four-engined BAe 146 has found an unexpected new role on the wildfire frontline.
Aerospace

14 Nov 2026

The history of the Blackburn Buccaneer: from Royal Navy service to the Gulf War
Blackburn Buccaneer
The history of the Blackburn Buccaneer: from Royal Navy service to the Gulf War
Few British aircraft enjoyed a second act quite like the Buccaneer, which proved its worth from the Cold War to Operation Granby.
Defence

14 Nov 2026

UK faces 41% rise in Russian naval activity as undersea threat grows
The Russian Navy's Neustrashimy-class guided-missile frigate is shadowed by an 815 NAS-operated Wildcat HMA2 as it transits the English Channel on 10 October 2026. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Royal Navy
UK faces 41% rise in Russian naval activity as undersea threat grows
Russian naval activity around the UK has increased by 41% this year, prompting fresh warnings over threats to UK security, undersea cables and critical infrastructure.
Defence

13 Nov 2026

New facilities opened for Air C2 Force at RAF Leeming
The new Single Living Accommodation building at RAF Leeming.
New facilities opened for Air C2 Force at RAF Leeming
Delivered under the MoD’s Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio, the opening of new sustainable infrastructure at RAF Leeming will allow the Air C2 (Command and Control) Force to complete their move to the station.
Defence Member News

13 Nov 2026

Serco acquires QinetiQ’s US business
Satellite orbiting earth
Serco acquires QinetiQ’s US business
It was announced today that Serco's acquisition of QinetiQ’s US business has been agreed, substantially expanding the defence capabilities of Serco, whilst strengthening QinetiQ's balance sheet and enabling it to concentrate its resources on the UK, European, NATO and key allied defence and security markets.
Defence Member News Space

12 Nov 2026

UK military satellite Titania reaches orbit as MoD trials space-threat sensors
Titania Satellite
UK military satellite Titania reaches orbit as MoD trials space-threat sensors
The UK's second ISTARI military satellite, Titania, reaches orbit as trials launch for a three-site sensor network to monitor potential threats to spacecraft.
Defence Space

9 Nov 2026

Leicester’s National Space Centre Discovery Team wins Sir Arthur Clarke Award
National Space Centre Discovery Team wins Sir Arthur Clarke Award
Leicester’s National Space Centre Discovery Team wins Sir Arthur Clarke Award
Following delivery of its education and outreach initiatives across the UK to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers, the National Space Centre's Discovery Team has gained national recognition by winning a prestigious Sir Arthur Clarke Award.
Member News Space

5 Nov 2026

UK flights impacted by US nationwide ground stop as knock-on effects continue
Heathrow Airport
UK flights impacted by US nationwide ground stop as knock-on effects continue
The US Transportation Secretary blamed ageing infrastructure and overloaded TDM routers for the nationwide FAA ground stop.
Aerospace Security

14 Nov 2026

Smiths Detection to supply Norwegian Customs with advanced mobile screening systems
Norwegian Customs
Smiths Detection to supply Norwegian Customs with advanced mobile screening systems
Advanced mobile vehicle screening systems from Smiths Detection will enable Norway to enhance its capability to inspect goods traffic across key border and customs locations.
Member News Security

13 Nov 2026

NCSC warns UK businesses of scams following global Microsoft outage
Laptop user pressing Windows key
NCSC warns UK businesses of scams following global Microsoft outage
Cybercriminals could exploit the global Microsoft outage, warns the NCSC, as an AI expert urges UK businesses to have a Plan B when systems fail.
Security

13 Nov 2026