MoD Boscombe Down

MoD Boscombe Down is an aircraft testing site located at 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.

History
The following squadrons were based here between 1930 and 1939:


 * No. 9 Squadron RAF between 1930 and 1935 with the Vickers Virginia.
 * No. 10 Squadron RAF between 1931 and 1937 with the Virginia and the  Handley Page Heyford.
 * No. 51 Squadron RAF between 1937 and 1938 with the Virginia, Avro Anson and the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley.
 * No. 58 Squadron RAF between 1937 and 1938 with the Anson and the Whitley.
 * No. 78 Squadron RAF between 1936 and 1937 with the Heyford.
 * No. 88 Squadron RAF between 1937 and 1939 with the Hawker Hind and the Fairey Battle.
 * No. 97 Squadron RAF between 1935 and 1937 with the Heyford.
 * No. 150 Squadron RAF between 1938 and 1939 with the Battle.
 * No. 166 Squadron RAF between 1936 and 1937 with the Heyford.
 * No. 214 Squadron RAF between 1935 and 1935 with the Virginia.
 * No. 217 Squadron RAF between 1937 and 1937 with the Anson.
 * No. 218 Squadron RAF between 1938 and 1939 with the Battle.
 * No. 224 Squadron RAF between 1937 and 1937 with the Anson.

Aircraft testing at the airfield started when the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) moved from RAF Martlesham Heath in August 1939, as the Second World War hostilities commenced, when the airfield was known as RAF Boscombe Down.


 * No. 35 Squadron RAF during 1940 with the Handley Page Halifax I.
 * No. 56 Squadron RAF during 1940 with the Hawker Hurricane I.
 * No. 109 Squadron RAF between 1940 and 1942 with the Whitley, Anson and Vickers Wellington.
 * No. 249 Squadron RAF during 1940 with the Hurricane.

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 English Electric Lightning, the Folland Gnat and Midge, Hawker P.1067 (the prototype Hunter), Westland Wyvern 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. The project is currently seeking investors and supporters.

Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron
The Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron at MoD Boscombe Down was responsible for the flight testing of heavy aircraft (Multi-engine types). Prior to the title of Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron (HATS) the flight testing of multi-engined aircraft was conducted by 'B Squadron'. Following-on from B Squadron, the department became known as Fixed Wing Test Squadron; however, during the late 1980s, the title once more changed to that of the Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron.

On 16 June 2009, HATS formally handed over its flight testing duties to the newly re-formed 206(R) Squadron, which forms part of the Air Warfare Centre.

Today
The site has two runways, one of 3212 m in length and the second 1914 m. It is home to Rotary Wing Test Squadron, 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.

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) airfield 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.