Awarded by the National Armaments Director Group, the contract covers the Solid State Phased Array Radar at the site. The radar forms part of the UK and US governments’ Upgraded Early Warning Radar network.
Fylingdales is designed to detect and track missiles and operates within the US ground-based missile defense radar network. It also monitors satellites and other objects in low Earth orbit.
The system generated more than 5.9 million satellite tracks during 2025. Serco provided real-time analysis of satellite breakups, re-entries, new launches, orbital maneuvers and other activity.
Serco will continue to provide uninterrupted operational and maintenance support for the radar. Its responsibilities include hardware and systems maintenance, analytical services and training.
The contract will also introduce Serco’s Enhanced Spacetrack Processor, developed with the Royal Air Force and UK Space Command. The software will analyze large volumes of tracking data to determine the position, orbit and size of objects in low Earth orbit.
The new processor will replace the United Kingdom Spacetrack Processor, another Serco-developed system. The existing software has been used at Fylingdales for more than three decades.
“We are immensely proud of our dedicated team at RAF Fylingdales who are entrusted to seamlessly deliver this continuous service, helping to defend the nation and protect our skies,” Anthony Kirby, Serco Group Chief Executive, said. “We have a long history over sixty years supporting the UK Space Command, US Space Force and the Royal Air Force at RAF Fylingdales, with our people at the heart of this critical infrastructure asset.”
Serco will offer Level 3 apprenticeships to school and college graduates under the contract, alongside Level 5 and 6 programs for existing employees. The company has partnered with Teesside University and Redcar & Cleveland College to develop training tailored to RAF Fylingdales.
The award adds to a series of recent defense contracts for Serco, including three Royal Navy maritime-services agreements valued at more than £1 billion and a UK military recruiting contract worth up to £1.5 billion. The company has also secured work supporting the British Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and US Navy.
