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Supporting the RAF’s defence capabilities

Sky Sabre, a Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) project, is high profile for the RAF due to its size, scale and enhancements in technology.

Described as ‘a truly integrated air defence system’, Sky Sabre is intended to enable British forces to identify and engage targets at much greater distance than its predecessor and brings unprecedented speed, precision and reliability.

As a critical part of the overall Air Defence programme, the project required a technical and security upgrade of existing rooms at Baker Barracks on Thorney Island. These secure areas were needed to provide a suitable environment to enable training of personnel on the new equipment.

We provided a complete service including the design, supply, build, and installation of the training areas, delivering a solution that was fully operational.

The RAF approached FCDO Services and we were appointed as Principal Designer and Contractor by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Joint Sensor and Engagement Networks (JSENs). We were commissioned to work in conjunction with subcontracting partners to deliver the secure training areas required for the project.

FCDO Services provided a complete service including the design, supply, build, and installation of the training areas, delivering a solution that was fully operational. We produced design documentation as well as construction services and technical oversight of the architectural, mechanical and electrical fit out.

Our input included subcontractor procurement and supply of security hardware as well. We successfully completed the project on schedule and within budget in May 2019.

The installation was designed to protect against both technical and acoustic attack and intrusion and was uniquely created to the customers’ specific requirements. Our extensive experience in delivering secure speech environments enabled us to work efficiently and innovatively and deliver a solution that was well received by our customer.

The installation was designed to protect against both technical and acoustic attack and intrusion, uniquely created to the customers’ specific requirements.

This work provided a great opportunity for us to collaborate on such an important and high profile project harnessing our expertise in this area.

“Without FCDO Services’ involvement in the Sky Sabre Programme the required secure training facility would not have been delivered in time. The success of this Programme hinged on the ability of FCDO Services to deliver the complete infrastructure solution; the end result is a cutting-edge facility underpinning a transformational capability.” Lieutenant Colonel, HQ Air Command

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