The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Serco a five-year contract to continue operating and maintaining the UK’s long-range ballistic missile-warning radar at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire.
Under the contract, Serco will equip the Solid State Phased Array Radar (SSPAR) with the Enhanced Spacetrack Processor (ESP), a data-analysis system developed with the Royal Air Force and UK Space Command.
The ESP processes raw radar data to help analysts determine an object’s position, orbit, and size. It will replace the United Kingdom Spacetrack Processor, a Serco-developed system used for more than three decades.
Early Warning Radar
The SSPAR is part of the UK and US governments’ Upgraded Early Warning Radar system and can detect objects the size of a Coke can up to 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) into space.
In 2025, it tracked more than 5.9 million objects in Low Earth Orbit, with Serco providing real-time analysis of orbital events.
Serco also provides 24/7 support at RAF Fylingdales, maintaining the radar’s hardware and systems and conducting analysis and training activities.
The new contract begins in April 2027 and includes an option for a two-year extension.
“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,” Serco Group Chief Executive Anthony Kirby said.