RAF Spadeadam
| RAF Spadeadam | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Characteristics | |
| ICAO code | EGOM |
| Coordinates | |
| Transport links | |
| Street | 5 km to the 
|
| Basic data | |
| opening | 1957 |
| operator | Royal Air Force |
| surface | 3600 ha |
The Royal Air Force Station Spadeadam , RAF Spadeadam for short , is a military test site and former missile test site of the Royal Air Force in England , near the border with Scotland . Today it is the location of the Electronic Warfare Tactics Range .
use
With an area of 36 km² it is the largest area of the RAF in the United Kingdom . On the plant families should the Armed Forces of the RAF and NATO for the Electronic Warfare are trained. Other states can use the site for a fee.
history
Spadeadam was a remote and fairly uninhabited area until the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Test Center was built in 1957 to carry out testing for the Blue Streak missile program.
After the Blue Streak program was discontinued, the Royal Air Force converted the site into Europe's first training area for electronic warfare in 1976. Ground-based systems for electronic warfare are stationed on the premises, which emit the typical emissions of enemy systems in order to prepare the crews of fighter aircraft for threats from the ground. Some of these systems were built in the Soviet Union . In addition, various exercise targets (airfields, a portable "village", tanks, planes and truck convoys) have been set up.
Spadeadam's role in the UK's Cold War nuclear weapons program was made known in 2004 when the remains of a missile silo were discovered during tree-felling work. An investigation of the site by the RAF and the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England yielded no results because the facility was so secret that there were no more plans for the facility.
The reason for choosing Spadeadam as the starting base was a combination of seclusion from nearby infrastructure, good access to water and the national electricity grid, as well as road connections. It is believed that Spadeadam was intended as one of 60 medium-range missile launch sites along the English east coast; The ramps were never completed. Instead, the facility was only used for testing rocket engines , electronic systems and ground facilities.
natural reserve
The extensive heathland is becoming increasingly important for nature and species protection . There are large areas of peat in the area . All newt species native to Great Britain can be seen there. The forest areas are a habitat for the squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ) endangered by the gray squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ).
