Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit

The Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) is a tri-service unit responsible for the evaluation and regulation of all aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force, Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm (Navy). Headquartered at RAF Brize Norton, the team consists of around 124 personnel drawn from each service branch and includes civil servants commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. It received ISO 9001 accreditation in 1997.

History
The JADTEU traces its history to the Army's Airborne Forces Development Centre and the RAF's Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit. The Joint Air Transport Establishment was formed in January 1968 to oversee the testing of aircraft and trailing of new techniques. It was renamed to JADTEU in 1998.

Mission
Its mission "To enable the delivery by air of manpower, machines and materiel through development, trials and training, in order to enhance Defence Capability.”

Its chain of command is through the development division of the RAF Air Warfare Centre which comes under Chief of Staff Operations (COS(Ops)) HQ Air Command. The unit is parented for administration purposes by RAF Brize Norton.

Sections
The unit, consisting of six lead sections and support staff, undertakes a wide variety of tasks as follows:

Airportability Section: Conduct operational test and evaluation loading trials in order to produce amendments to associated Aircraft Publications

Aerial Delivery Section: The Aerial Delivery Section at JADTEU is responsible for trialling equipment for aerial delivery suitability, and trial and develop new aerial delivery systems

Personnel Parachute Test Team: The delivery of personnel by parachute, both overtly and covertly, to land or sea

Helicopter Section: JADTEU Helicopter Section is responsible for the assessment and trial of all equipment that is to be underslung from UK military helicopters

Engineering Section: Engineering Section provides specialist engineering support and airworthiness advice to all departments and customers at JADTEU

Training Section: The training of Helicopter Handling, Fast-Roping and Abseiling Instructors and Unit Emplanement Officers for all 3 services, MOD agencies and foreign governments

JADTEU’s primary output is the management of the status of twenty two Air Transport Aircraft Publications which detail the procedures to be followed and the equipment needed to safely and effectively deliver personnel and materiel. This it does through the conduct of operational trials and evaluation on behalf of sponsors. In addition it provides advice / recommendations to MOD sponsors, agencies, civilian industry and foreign governments on all air transport matters.