Air Fighting Development Unit

The Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU) was an air technical intelligence part of the Royal Air Force which developed operational tactics and tested captured enemy aircraft. It was based at Royal Air Force Stations at Northolt, Duxford and Wittering.

The Air Fighting Development Unit was under the control of RAF Fighter Command and the Air Ministry, and performed comparative trials and developed and promulgated tactics effective against the enemy. Also sharing Wittering with the AFDU was the Naval Air Fighting Development Unit.

These units were also tasked to carry out a variety of tests and evaluations on a wide range of fighter aircraft, aircraft modifications and new equipment prior to entering Allied service.

The units were absorbed into the Central Fighter Establishment and moved to Tangmere in 1945.

Operation Banquet
The Air Fighting Development Unit, under Operation Banquet anti-invasion plans, was allocated the title No. 550 Squadron RAF.