RAF eyes the skies in Shetland
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is getting a new remote radar facility at Saxa Vord, Unst, Shetland, to support the tracking of unidentified military and civilian aircraft approaching UK airspace.
The radar will improve RAF and NATO understanding of the airspace north of Britain and further out across the Norwegian Sea at a time of heightened Russian military activity.
The radar will provide key information on aircraft movements to the north of the UK and feed into the nationwide Quick Reaction Alert operation which is responsible for policing international and UK airspace from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, as well as supporting civil air traffic control.
The Ministry of Defence’s procurement organisation, DE&S, is managing the redevelopment of the site and delivering the new infrastructure and capability for the RAF. The Saxa Vord remote radar head will be operated remotely by RAF personnel and contractors will only attend the site for maintenance.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: ‘We will always protect our skies from Russian aggression. This radar is a vital part of the UK’s defences as we react to intensifying global threats and reinforce our ability to tackle them. Russia’s actions are not limited to Europe’s eastern borders – the threat to British livelihoods is severe and real.’
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality]()
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
-
![Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems]()
Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
-
![Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support]()
Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
-
![Thales digital twin system set for trials in UK next year]()
Thales digital twin system set for trials in UK next year
The digital twin system has been designed to evaluate the introduction of new systems onto platforms but could also be used to support procurement, training and battle planning in the future.
-
![The space defence dilemma: Commercial vs. dedicated military systems]()
The space defence dilemma: Commercial vs. dedicated military systems
During a recent space defence event in London, discussions turned to militaries’ growing dependence on commercial satellite systems and how it has fostered an environment for operating space assets that is becoming ever more hostile.
-
![Space defence assets under growing threat says Lockheed executive]()
Space defence assets under growing threat says Lockheed executive
Chinese innovation and interference means it will only continue to get harder for western nations to defend their space assets.
