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

Rapid Fusion installs robotic cell at Kingston University
Zeus Robotic Cell into the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment at Kingston University
Rapid Fusion installs robotic cell at Kingston University
With its installation of a Zeus Robotic Cell into the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment at Kingston University, Rapid Fusion has enabled staff and students to print, scan and mill in one solution, teaching students the latest additive manufacturing solutions and helping tackle the real skills gap in the UK for robotics and 3D printing experts.
Royal Navy to launch Northrop Grumman’s Talon Blue CCA from aircraft carrier in 2027
Northrop Grumman's YFQ-48A Talon Blue CCA demonstrator takes off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California to undertake its first autonomous flight on 3 October 2026. Image: Northrop Grumman
Royal Navy to launch Northrop Grumman’s Talon Blue CCA from aircraft carrier in 2027
Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue will demonstrate autonomous carrier-based air operations aboard a Queen Elizabeth-class ‘flattop’ as part of trials planned for 2027 under Project Vanquish.
Aerospace Defence

11 Nov 2026

Eaton to support Dassault’s next-gen Falcon 10X on path to certification
Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 10X ultra-long-range business jet.
Eaton to support Dassault’s next-gen Falcon 10X on path to certification
Building on a long-standing collaboration, Eaton is to provide hydraulic and fuel system technologies for Dassault’s next-generation Falcon 10X business jet, supporting its fuel-efficiency and performance objectives.
Aerospace Member News

11 Nov 2026

Ready for war in 1,000 days? Peers demand faster contracts and stronger UK industry
British Army
Ready for war in 1,000 days? Peers demand faster contracts and stronger UK industry
A House of Lords inquiry warns that spending pledges will not deliver military readiness without faster procurement, sustained production and skilled workers. Speaking to Advance, Baroness Hayter says government and industry must change how they work together.
Defence Insights

11 Nov 2026

UK insists military bases are safe as US aircraft leave RAF Mildenhall
USAF KC-135R on ground at RAF Mildenhall on 28-07-26 [USAF - Senior Airman Aidan Martinez Rosiere
UK insists military bases are safe as US aircraft leave RAF Mildenhall
At least 10 KC-135 refuelling aircraft left RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk on Monday, according to commercial flight-tracking data.
Defence

11 Nov 2026

Rapid Fusion installs robotic cell at Kingston University
Zeus Robotic Cell into the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment at Kingston University
Rapid Fusion installs robotic cell at Kingston University
With its installation of a Zeus Robotic Cell into the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment at Kingston University, Rapid Fusion has enabled staff and students to print, scan and mill in one solution, teaching students the latest additive manufacturing solutions and helping tackle the real skills gap in the UK for robotics and 3D printing experts.
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

Astroscale and OHB to collaborate on space security
Astroscale and OHB sign MoU
Astroscale and OHB to collaborate on space security
Following ratification of the Kensington Treaty in October, Astroscale and OHB have signed an MoU to enhance cooperation between the UK, Germany and Japan towards protecting critical infrastructure in space, whilst supporting the safe, sustainable and responsible use of the orbital environment.
Lord Coaker calls for greater UK resilience against cyberattacks and infrastructure threats
Defence Talks podcast episode - Lord Coaker
Lord Coaker calls for greater UK resilience against cyberattacks and infrastructure threats
Speaking in a special Remembrance Day podcast, Lord Coaker paid tribute to those who serve while highlighting the need to strengthen UK preparedness against growing security threats.
Defence Security

11 Nov 2026

Fire Service College demos contribution to UK national resilience
Fire Service College (FSC) demo
Fire Service College demos contribution to UK national resilience
The historic Fire Service College training facility in Gloucestershire recently demonstrated how it combines immersive virtual reality, realistic incident scenarios and specialist expertise to prepare British and allied emergency responders, to support UK resilience.
Member News Security

11 Nov 2026

Royal Navy moves to deter Russian undersea threats with new ‘Atlantic Net’ investment
Image via Royal Navy
Royal Navy moves to deter Russian undersea threats with new ‘Atlantic Net’ investment
A £90m investment in autonomous maritime technology will bolster the Royal Navy’s surveillance capabilities while deterring Russian submarines and safeguarding critical seabed infrastructure in the North Atlantic.
Defence Security

11 Nov 2026