MoD Boscombe Down
Encyclopedia
MoD Boscombe Down is an aircraft testing site located at Idmiston
, south of Amesbury
, in Wiltshire
, England
. It is run and managed by QinetiQ
, the company created as part of the breakup of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
in 2001 by the UK
Ministry of Defence
. It is the home of the Empire Test Pilots' School
.
The site was formerly known as RAF Boscombe Down and since 1939 has evaluated aircraft for the British armed forces.
(A&AEE) moved from RAF Martlesham Heath
in August 1939, as World War II
hostilities commenced, when the airfield was the RAF Station
Boscombe Down.
The site has witnessed many significant developments in the British aviation industry, including trials of many aircraft flown by the British armed forces since the Second World War, such as the first flights of the English Electric P 1, forerunner of the Lightning
, and the BAC TSR.2
. It was also formerly home to the School of Aviation Medicine.
In 1992 the site was renamed the Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment when experimental work moved to the Defence Research Agency
. Responsibility for the site passed from the MoD Procurement Executive
to the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO) in 1993, and subsequently to the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
in 1995.
Following the creation of QinetiQ
in 2001, a 25 year Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) was established with the MOD. Boscombe Down remains a government airfield but operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MOD. The Joint Test and Evaluation Group was established under the control of RAF Air Command
and together with QinetiQ forms the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC). This unique partnership is charged with the test and evaluation of future and in-service military aircraft. The military personnel of the JTEG play a central role in the test and evaluation process alongside their QinetiQ colleagues.
A small part of Boscombe's history is being preserved in the US. The Anglo American Lightning Organisation are returning to flight the former ETPS English Electric Lightning
, XS422. The group is basing the restoration in the US as the CAA is expected to refuse permission for the aircraft to fly in the UK. The voluntary group, made up of RAF and former-RAF engineers, as well as civilian volunteers, has been carrying out a 'floor-up' restoration and as of spring 2008 were around 80% mechanically complete. It is hoped, funds permitting, that XS422 will be ready for flight within the next 12 months. The project is currently seeking investors and supporters.
, Fast Jet Test Squadron, Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron
, Handling Squadron, and the Empire Test Pilots' School
. It is also currently home to the Southampton University Air Squadron
http://www.southamptonuas.co.uk/public/public.php.
Boscombe Down has been associated with rumours concerning U.S. black projects. An incident is reported to have occurred there on 26 September 1994, although evidence is scarce, and both the British and American Governments have refused to comment on it.
In October 2007 it was announced that RAF Boscombe Down would become a quick reaction alert (QRA) airbase from early 2008, offering round-the-clock fighter coverage for the South and South West of UK airspace. Contrary to media reports QRA aircraft will only be based at Boscombe Down if and when a specific threat to the region is deemed to exist.
A well preserved Roman
coffin
was found to the west of the site in 2007, on what is now the 'Archers Gate' development.
Idmiston
Idmiston is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It has a population of 2,025.All Saints Church was built in the 12th century. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building and is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust....
, south of Amesbury
Amesbury
Amesbury is a town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It is most famous for the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge which is in its parish, and for the discovery of the Amesbury Archer—dubbed the King of Stonehenge in the press—in 2002...
, in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is run and managed by QinetiQ
QinetiQ
Qinetiq is a British global defence technology company, formed from the greater part of the former UK government agency, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency , when it was split up in June 2001...
, the company created as part of the breakup of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence until July 2, 2001. At the time it was the United Kingdom's largest science and technology organisation...
in 2001 by the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
. It is the home of the Empire Test Pilots' School
Empire Test Pilots' School
The Empire Test Pilots' School is a British training school for test pilots and flight test engineers of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, England. It was established in 1943, the first of its type...
.
The site was formerly known as RAF Boscombe Down and since 1939 has evaluated aircraft for the British armed forces.
History
Aircraft testing at the airfield started when the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental EstablishmentAeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment was a research facility for British military aviation from 1918 to 1992.-History:...
(A&AEE) moved from RAF Martlesham Heath
RAF Martlesham Heath
RAF Martlesham Heath is a former Royal Air Force airfield in England. The field is located 1½ miles SW of Woodbridge, Suffolk.- RFC/RAF prewar use:Martlesham Heath was first used as a Royal Flying Corps airfield during World War I...
in August 1939, as World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
hostilities commenced, when the airfield was the RAF Station
RAF station
A Royal Air Force station is a permanent Royal Air Force operations location. Many RAF stations are aerodromes, or airbases, being the home to one or more flying squadrons. Other RAF stations are training units, administrative units, headquarters , or carry out ground-based operational tasks...
Boscombe Down.
The site has witnessed many significant developments in the British aviation industry, including trials of many aircraft flown by the British armed forces since the Second World War, such as the first flights of the English Electric P 1, forerunner of the Lightning
English Electric Lightning
The English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed and unpainted natural metal exterior finish. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. The aircraft was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; Royal Air Force ...
, and the BAC TSR.2
BAC TSR-2
The British Aircraft Corporation TSR-2 was a cancelled Cold War strike and reconnaissance aircraft developed by the British Aircraft Corporation for the Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and early 1960s...
. It was also formerly home to the School of Aviation Medicine.
In 1992 the site was renamed the Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment when experimental work moved to the Defence Research Agency
Defence Research Agency
The Defence Research Agency , was an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Defence from April 1991 until April 1995. At the time the DRA was Britain's largest science and technology organisation...
. Responsibility for the site passed from the MoD Procurement Executive
MoD Procurement Executive
The MoD Procurement Executive was the acquisition organisation of the Ministry of Defence.The Procurement Executive was established on 2 August 1971 as a single procurement agency for all three services with Derek Rayner as the first Chief of Defence Procurement...
to the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO) in 1993, and subsequently to the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence until July 2, 2001. At the time it was the United Kingdom's largest science and technology organisation...
in 1995.
Following the creation of QinetiQ
QinetiQ
Qinetiq is a British global defence technology company, formed from the greater part of the former UK government agency, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency , when it was split up in June 2001...
in 2001, a 25 year Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) was established with the MOD. Boscombe Down remains a government airfield but operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MOD. The Joint Test and Evaluation Group was established under the control of RAF Air Command
RAF Air Command
Air Command is the only Command currently active in the Royal Air Force. It was formed by the merger of Royal Air Force Strike and Personnel and Training Commands on 1 April 2007, and has its headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire....
and together with QinetiQ forms the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC). This unique partnership is charged with the test and evaluation of future and in-service military aircraft. The military personnel of the JTEG play a central role in the test and evaluation process alongside their QinetiQ colleagues.
A small part of Boscombe's history is being preserved in the US. The Anglo American Lightning Organisation are returning to flight the former ETPS English Electric Lightning
English Electric Lightning
The English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed and unpainted natural metal exterior finish. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. The aircraft was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; Royal Air Force ...
, XS422. The group is basing the restoration in the US as the CAA is expected to refuse permission for the aircraft to fly in the UK. The voluntary group, made up of RAF and former-RAF engineers, as well as civilian volunteers, has been carrying out a 'floor-up' restoration and as of spring 2008 were around 80% mechanically complete. It is hoped, funds permitting, that XS422 will be ready for flight within the next 12 months. The project is currently seeking investors and supporters.
Today
The site has two runways, one of 3212 m (10,538 ft) in length and the second 1914 m (6,280 ft). It is home to Rotary Wing Test SquadronRotary Wing Test Squadron
Rotary Wing Test and Evaulation Squadron is a tri-service UK military organisation based at MoD Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. Primarily, the squadron is responsible for test and evaluation of rotary wing aircraft and equipment, or their associated modifications.-Squadron Role:To test and evaluate...
, Fast Jet Test Squadron, Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron
Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron
The Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron at MoD Boscombe Down was responsible for the flight testing of heavy aircraft . Prior to the title of Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron the flight testing of multi-engined aircraft was conducted by 'B Squadron'...
, Handling Squadron, and the Empire Test Pilots' School
Empire Test Pilots' School
The Empire Test Pilots' School is a British training school for test pilots and flight test engineers of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, England. It was established in 1943, the first of its type...
. It is also currently home to the Southampton University Air Squadron
Southampton University Air Squadron
Southampton University Air Squadron is a training unit of the Royal Air Force which provides basic flying training, adventurous training and personal development skills to undergraduate students of the University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, Bournemouth University and Southampton...
http://www.southamptonuas.co.uk/public/public.php.
Boscombe Down has been associated with rumours concerning U.S. black projects. An incident is reported to have occurred there on 26 September 1994, although evidence is scarce, and both the British and American Governments have refused to comment on it.
In October 2007 it was announced that RAF Boscombe Down would become a quick reaction alert (QRA) airbase from early 2008, offering round-the-clock fighter coverage for the South and South West of UK airspace. Contrary to media reports QRA aircraft will only be based at Boscombe Down if and when a specific threat to the region is deemed to exist.
A well preserved Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
coffin
Coffin
A coffin is a funerary box used in the display and containment of dead people – either for burial or cremation.Contemporary North American English makes a distinction between "coffin", which is generally understood to denote a funerary box having six sides in plan view, and "casket", which...
was found to the west of the site in 2007, on what is now the 'Archers Gate' development.