Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Local suppliers help underpin E-7 facilities build at RAF Lossiemouth

Defence

Local suppliers help underpin E-7 facilities build at RAF Lossiemouth

More than 550 tonnes of steel have been supplied by a company local to RAF Lossiemouth as facilities for supporting the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet continue to take shape.

Image courtesy DE&S

DE&S placed a £83 million contract in March 2023 with Boeing Defence UK who is working with its local supplier McLaughlin & Harvey to build the facilities which are situated alongside the Atlantic Building, from which the UK’s fleet of nine Poseidon MRA Mk1 aircraft already operate.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Also, Simmers Contracts, a family-business from Moray, just 25 miles from Lossiemouth, has been sub-contracted to supply 7,000m2 of cladding and 556 tonnes of steel for building the base frame structure of the Wedgetail Line Engineering Squadron building for routine maintenance and aircraft upgrades and a second building, dedicated to mission systems training.

The E-7 Wedgetail programme is supporting hundreds of jobs in the region, boosting the local supply chain and economy and confirms UK Government’s commitment to investing in Scotland.

Lyndon Jones, E-7 Wedgetail Infrastructure lead at DE&S said: “The E-7 programme is critical, not only in the development of a capability that will equip our Armed Forces with a competitive edge to protect the nation but also by providing UK prosperity.”

As an advanced and reliable Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, the E-7 will provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance for the RAF.

The Wedgetail is capable of simultaneously tracking multiple airborne and maritime targets, using the information it gathers to improve situational awareness and direct assets such as fighter jets and warships. The aircraft has previously been used by the Royal Australian Air Force on operations against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2

Steve Burnell, managing director of Boeing Defence UK said: “Boeing leverages the strength of its local supply chain to support the communities where we are proud to live and work.

“Through our relationship with Mclaughlin & Harvey, we are pleased to have Simmers Contracts play a pivotal role in the construction of the new facilities for the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, as we continue to work with the RAF to prepare the fleet’s entry into service.”

The arrival of Wedgetail further bolsters the reputation of Lossiemouth which enjoys a strategic location and state-of-the-art facilities.

The E-7 Wedgetail infrastructure programme is expected to complete early in 2025.

Advertisement
Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman
Jonathan Powell appointed as UK PM

Defence Security

Jonathan Powell appointed as UK PM's National Security Adviser

8 November 2024

The Prime Minister has today announced the appointment of Jonathan Powell as the Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser based in No10 Downing Street.

Filtronic expands production ahead of purpose-built facility launch

Aerospace Defence Space

Filtronic expands production ahead of purpose-built facility launch

8 November 2024

RF and mmWave technologies specialist, Filtronic, is responding to growing demand by installing two new production lines at its NETPark facility in Sedgefield.

Serco appoints Peter Behrendt as Asia Pacific Managing Director for Defence

Defence

Serco appoints Peter Behrendt as Asia Pacific Managing Director for Defence

8 November 2024

Serco has appointed Peter Behrendt as Asia Pacific Managing Director for Defence.

Northrop Grumman

Defence

Northrop Grumman's first MESA sensor installed on RAF Wedgetail

7 November 2024

Northrop Grumman’s first Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor was successfully installed on an E-7 Wedgetail Mk1 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft for the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF).

Advertisement
ODU RT 2
Galvion delivers 400 MAX-8s to AeroVironment

Defence

Galvion delivers 400 MAX-8s to AeroVironment

7 November 2024

Galvion has delivered the first order of its Nerv Centr MAX-8 Mission Adaptive Charging Station to the US defence tech company, AeroVironment (AV).

Spectra Group opens new Australia office

Defence Events

Spectra Group opens new Australia office

7 November 2024

Spectra Group is announcing the launch of Spectra Group (Australia), at MilCIS 2024 (12th-14th November) in the National Convention Centre, Canberra, marking a significant expansion as it enhances services across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Advertisement
ADS S &P RT