General Atomics

Serco awarded RAF Air Cadets glider fleet contracts

Serco has been awarded two new contracts to continue providing support to the Royal Air Force’s Air Cadet glider fleet.



Image courtesy Serco

Under the Glider Support contract, Serco will continue to maintain the RAF’s fleet of 52 Viking T Mk1 gliders, (Grob 103B variant), for a further two years, with an option to extend the contract for another one year.  

The contract is valued at c.£8 million over the initial two years. The gliders are operated by No. 2 Flying Training School, who provide a flying experience in a military environment, including solo flying, for the Air Cadets aged 13 – 17 years.

This flying experience is delivered through a Centralised Gliding School and Volunteer Gliding Squadrons located at nine sites dispersed across the UK.



Serco will also continue to provide an aerotow capability, using Serco’s own Pierre Robin aircraft and the Winchlaunch system, which encompasses the maintenance and support for the fleet of SkyLaunch winches.

Additionally, Serco has been awarded a new contract for the provision of spares for the Viking T Mk1 gliders for the next three years, with an option to extend for a further two years.  

Commenting on the contract awards, Doug Umbers, Managing Director of Serco’s defence business, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded these contracts to continue to maintain and support the RAF’s glider fleet.   

"Every year, No.2 Flying Training School enables over 5,000 Air Cadets around the UK enjoying a flying experience and we are very proud to have been making a real impact by providing these services since 2008.”

Related

Venetz Aerospace secures UK CAA design approval for electric propulsion
Venetz Aerospace
Venetz Aerospace secures UK CAA design approval for electric propulsion
Venetz Aerospace has received UK CAA Part 21 Design Organisation Approval for electric motors and propellers for uncrewed and crewed aircraft applications.
Aerospace Defence

8 Jul 2026

ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace target hydrogen-electric defence aircraft
ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace sign hydrogen-electric defence aircraft collaboration agreement
ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace target hydrogen-electric defence aircraft
ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace have signed a collaboration agreement to explore hydrogen-electric propulsion and power systems for defence aircraft.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
UK and Netherlands sign £2.4bn deal for new NATO amphibious ships
The Damen Enforcer
UK and Netherlands sign £2.4bn deal for new NATO amphibious ships
The UK and the Netherlands will jointly develop and procure eight new amphibious transport ships under a £2.4bn partnership designed to strengthen NATO interoperability, modernise ageing fleets and support future autonomous maritime operations.
Defence

8 Jul 2026

£180 million RAF Brize Norton runway overhaul gets underway
£180 million RAF Brize Norton runway overhaul gets underway
£180 million RAF Brize Norton runway overhaul gets underway
A £180 million infrastructure programme has begun at RAF Brize Norton, replacing the runway and upgrading critical airfield systems to support UK air mobility operations.
Defence

8 Jul 2026

Venetz Aerospace secures UK CAA design approval for electric propulsion
Venetz Aerospace
Venetz Aerospace secures UK CAA design approval for electric propulsion
Venetz Aerospace has received UK CAA Part 21 Design Organisation Approval for electric motors and propellers for uncrewed and crewed aircraft applications.
Aerospace Defence

8 Jul 2026

CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Aeolus 2 by Airbus UK
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Airbus Defence and Space UK has been authorised to begin building Aeolus-2, a next-generation ESA and EUMETSAT weather satellite designed to deliver global wind measurements for more accurate forecasting, aviation operations and climate monitoring.
Space

6 Jul 2026

BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated the ability of its Endura system-on-chip (Soc) space processor…
Space

29 Jun 2026

CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for high-assurance defence operations
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for secure defence operations
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for high-assurance defence operations
Logiq has launched DISX Isolate, a standalone secure workspace designed for organisations handling sensitive information in deliberately disconnected environments.
Police leadership overhaul puts UK security capability under the spotlight
College of Policing image showing officers on the beat
Police leadership overhaul puts UK security capability under the spotlight
A major review of police leadership in England and Wales has warned that future UK security capability will depend on stronger leadership, skills and workforce planning as public safety organisations respond to more complex threats.
Security

7 Jul 2026