Defence

Serco to continue supporting RAF Fylingdales

Posted 18 October 2022

Serco has been awarded a three-year contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to continue to provide operations and maintenance support to the Solid State Phased Array Radar (SSPAR), part of the UK / US Ballistic Missile Early Warning System located at RAF Fylingdales, North Yorkshire.

Above: The SSPAR at RAF Fylingdales with Serco logo on its 30th anniversary on Friday 30th September 2022.
Courtesy Serco

The initial six-year contract ran from 1st April 2014 to 2020 and this contract extension is the second of two three-year options, which will run from 2023-2026.

Under the contract, Serco will continue to be responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of the SSPAR and associated hardware and life support systems including project management, facilities and hardware systems maintenance, analytical and training activities.

Commenting on the contract extension, Keith Hillas, Interim Managing Director of Serco’s UK defence business, said: “Serco’s team at Fylingdales is steeped in history. We’ve been here a long time and the work we are entrusted to do is an important part of the UK’s national security. We’re proud and privileged to offer our continuing service to the MoD and the US DoD in the support of this critical asset.

“We employ a highly skilled and specialised engineering and technical team who are a key part of Serco’s high technology work in the air and space domain. The great work of our Fylingdales team was recognised earlier this year when they were awarded the ‘Space Team of the Year’ award at the inaugural UK Space Command Initial Operating Capability Dinner.”

The Royal Air Force marked the 30th anniversary of the SSPAR on Friday 30th September, having first become operational on 1st October 1992. The introduction of the SSPAR replaced the older, rotating radars that sat inside large, protective radomes or the 'Golf Balls' as they were known locally.

RAF Fylingdales, which forms part of UK Space Command’s operational arm, is considered one of the key components of UK national security providing Ballistic Missile Early Warning Operations for more than 58 years and some of the Serco team has been continuously operating and maintaining the facility ever since while Serco has provided continuous support on site since Serco’s formation in 1987.