Aquila Air Traffic Management Services

What Aquila Air Traffic Management Services does

Aquila Air Traffic Management Services is a UK-based joint venture between NATS and Thales, founded in 2014, that delivers air traffic management (ATM) and related engineering services primarily to the UK Ministry of Defence. The company's core engagement is Programme Marshall, a £1.5 billion, 22-year partnership to upgrade and support terminal air traffic management capability at 65+ UK and overseas military airfields, involving deployment of 390 control tower communications systems, 30 new primary and secondary surveillance radars, eight Wide Area Multilateral systems with 100+ associated radars, 2,000+ digital radio systems, 18 navigational systems, and 25 simulators. Technology spans communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) equipment including ILS, DME, VOR, and TACAN, alongside a 24/7 Operations Centre at Swanwick providing real-time remote monitoring and control, and a Training Academy producing fully ATSEP-qualified engineers and supporting the Defence College of Air and Space Operations at RAF Shawbury.

The business model centres on long-term managed services contracts with the UK MoD, supplemented by one-time systems integration and commissioning revenue, professional services in windfarm radar mitigation consulting for renewable energy developers, and training services through the Aquila Training Academy. The company employs approximately 315 staff and operates from Fareham, Hampshire, with regional engineering hubs across the UK and dedicated operational teams at RAF Akrotiri (Cyprus), RAF Mount Pleasant (Falkland Islands), and Gibraltar International Airport, providing 24/7 incident management and on-site support. Customer segments span UK MoD, British Armed Forces, civil aviation operators, windfarm developers, and maritime security customers. Distribution is direct enterprise sales through government procurement frameworks, with commercial activity supported by trade body membership in Make UK Defence and targeted participation in defence industry events.

Name

Aquila Air Traffic Management Services

Legal name

Aquila Air Traffic Management Services Limited

Website

https://aquila-atms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Aquila Air Traffic Management Services is a UK-based NATS-Thales joint venture delivering military air traffic management, CNS systems support, training, and windfarm mitigation, anchored by a £1.5 billion, 22-year UK Ministry of Defence Programme Marshall contract covering 65+ airfields.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Traffic Management Services

NAICS

Air Traffic Control (488111), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS) (IMABAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Security Technology & Surveillance Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Intrusion) (TLAHANAC), Security, Safety & Fire/Life Safety Management (BPABAAAE)

Keywords

• Air traffic management services
• Military ATM support
• CNS systems engineering
• Windfarm mitigation solutions
• ATM training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fareham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defence ATM Services Contract: Long-term managed services contract with UK Ministry of Defence for air traffic management. Programme Marshall is a £1.5 billion, 22-year partnership to upgrade and support MOD's terminal air traffic management capability. Includes design, delivery, and through-life support of ATM systems.
2. Systems Integration and Delivery: One-time project-based revenue for installation, commissioning, and transition-to-service of new ATM systems and equipment.
3. Training Services: Training solutions for Flight Simulator Operators and air traffic controllers, including programmes at the Aquila Training Academy and partner colleges.
4. Windfarm Mitigation Consulting: Consulting services for windfarm developers including pre-planning assessment, mitigation solution design, and technical deployment for wind turbine impact on radar systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aquila Air Traffic Management Services delivers comprehensive air traffic management (ATM) services to the UK Ministry of Defence and other customers, anchored by Programme Marshall — a £1.5 billion, 22-year partnership to upgrade and support terminal air traffic management capability across 65 UK and overseas military airfields. The company provides Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) systems support, windfarm mitigation consulting, airside engineering solutions, ATSEP and Flight Simulator Operator training, 24/7 operations and remote monitoring, and air and maritime surveillance services. Aquila is a joint venture between NATS and Thales headquartered in Whiteley, Fareham, UK.

Product overview

Aquila Air Traffic Management Services is a joint venture between NATS and Thales delivering a comprehensive air traffic management service portfolio. The core offering is Programme Marshall, a £1.5 billion MOD partnership to upgrade military ATM systems across 65 airfields. Supporting this are CNS Systems Support services covering communications, navigation and surveillance equipment, and Airside Engineering Solutions providing through-life equipment support. The company offers specialized Windfarm Mitigation Solutions to address turbine impacts on radar, and Air and Maritime Surveillance Services for defence operations. Additional capabilities include Safety and Safeguarding Services, a 24/7 Operations Centre for remote monitoring, and the Aquila Training Academy producing qualified ATSEP engineers. The integrated platform combines design, delivery and support services to provide end-to-end ATM solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programme Marshall A £1.5 billion, 22-year managed services partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence to upgrade and support terminal air traffic management capability at 65 UK military airfields and overseas sites. Provides day-to-day service availability, new CNS systems installation, and 24/7 operational support to the UK MOD.
• Communication, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS) Systems Support Engineering support for communications, navigation, and surveillance equipment including radars, ILS, DME, VOR, TACAN, and landing systems. Provides installation, maintenance, upgrades, repair and decommissioning services for defence and civil aviation customers.
• Windfarm Mitigation Solutions Consultancy and technical solutions to mitigate wind turbine impacts on radar and surveillance systems. Includes pre-planning assessment, mitigation solution design, and deployment services for windfarm developments near military and civil aviation operations.
• Airside Engineering Solutions Asset replacement and through-life outsourced support for airport air traffic management systems. Includes systems planning, installation, maintenance, advanced health monitoring, and ATSEP-qualified engineers for legacy and next-generation ATM systems.
• Aquila Training Academy Training programme for trainee Maintainers, Engineers and Flight Simulator Operators. Provides classroom-based training coupled with on-the-job shadowing. Produces fully qualified Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) and supports the Defence College of Air and Space Operations.
• Air and Maritime Surveillance Services Integrated surveillance services for air defence and maritime security operations. Provides day-to-day systems maintenance and long-term planning for naval and coastguard surveillance, air defence, and weather forecasting applications.
• Safety and Safeguarding Services Expert advice on safe and secure siting, use and interoperability of air traffic management and surveillance systems. Includes risk mitigation, simulation and modelling of infrastructure impacts, site surveys, equipment re-calibration, and contingency planning for service outages.
• 24/7 Operations Centre Remote monitoring and control facility providing single-point support for incident management. Includes real-time systems monitoring, remote fault resolution, and coordination with regionally-based engineering teams for rapid response across UK and international sites.
• Air Traffic Management Solutions — Design, Deliver, Support Integrated platform encompassing solution design, delivery, and ongoing support for ATM systems. Combines technical expertise with advanced technology to provide end-to-end capabilities from initial design through operational support, including project management and systems integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• £300 million savings for UK defence budget
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Smallpeice TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Charity partnership to inspire young people into engineering careers. Aquila hosting one day CREST Accredited STEM courses aimed at year 8/9 aged children in schools around the country in high ethnic diversity and/or free school meal areas.
• MITIEminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Supply chain partner involved in decommissioning of old RADAR systems in Gibraltar. MITIE team handled removal and re-purposing of salvageable parts from historic Watchman and Cardion RADARs.
• NATScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014NATS is a joint venture partner in Aquila ATMS. NATS is the UK's leading provider of Air Traffic Management services, providing 24/7 service operation for 2.2m flights per year. NATS provides air traffic control teams and operational expertise.
• ThalescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Thales is a joint venture partner in Aquila ATMS. Thales is a global technology company providing airspace management and control solutions for commercial aviation and drones, as well as navigation aid systems. Thales contributes global systems integration expertise.
• Hounds for HeroesminorOthersCharity sponsorship relationship. Aquila sponsors Hounds for Heroes, a charity providing assistance dogs to injured service personnel.
• Make UK DefenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade body membership representing SME and mid-tier companies operating in the defence sector. Enables keeping up to date with industry developments, policy input, networking, and profile raising. Provides opportunity to share exhibit space at major events including DSEi and DPRTE.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NATS: Joint venture parent and the UK's leading civil air traffic services provider, handling 2.2m flights per year. Directly comparable as a UK-based ATM operator with overlapping CNS expertise and ATSEP-trained engineering workforce.
• Indra Sistemas: Spanish-headquartered ATM and defence systems provider competing for military and civil ATM contracts across Europe. Directly comparable as a Tier-1 supplier of surveillance radars, navigation aids, and ATM automation systems.
• Frequentis: Austrian supplier of ATM communication, information, and tower systems for civil and military airspace. Comparable for voice communication systems, tower solutions, and ATM support services that overlap with Aquila's CNS portfolio.
• Serco: UK-based outsourcing company operating air traffic services and airfield support at multiple civil and military airports. Comparable as a managed services provider delivering ATC and ATM-related support to government customers, including past MOD contracts.

Broad incumbents

• Thales: Joint venture parent and global prime in airspace management, navigation aids, and ATM systems. Comparable as a supplier of military and civil ATM/CNS solutions with broader international footprint than Aquila's UK-focused operations.
• Hensoldt: German sensor solutions house providing surveillance radars, electronic warfare, and air traffic control sensors. Comparable for primary/secondary surveillance radar, IFF, and military ATM-grade sensor offerings that overlap Aquila's deployed radar estate.
• Leonardo: Italian aerospace and defence prime with an established ATM and air traffic control systems business. Comparable as a multi-domain defence supplier with overlapping radar, communications, and ATM integration capabilities serving NATO and allied militaries.
• Saab: Swedish defence and aerospace company with surveillance and ATM-related offerings. Comparable as a supplier of military-grade radar, command and control, and ATM systems serving European and allied defence customers.
• BAE Systems: UK defence prime with broad involvement in air, land, and maritime systems including ATC-related electronics. Comparable as a potential prime integrator or competitor for MOD ATM contracts and airfield support programmes.

Emerging players

• Terma: Danish aerospace and defence company supplying radar surveillance, self-protection systems, and ATM-related solutions. Comparable as a niche supplier of surveillance and ATM components to military customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aquila Air Traffic Management Services