The Station

MOD Boscombe Down is the tri-Service home of military aircraft Test & Evaluation, the RAF Base Support Squadron provides administrative support to the military lodger units.

The site is managed under the Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) between QinetiQ Ltd (QQ) and the UK Ministry of Defence. Under the Agreement, QQ is responsible for the operation of the MOD Boscombe Down Aerodrome and specialist test facilities, and the provision of specialist technical expertise and support services.

Address

MoD Boscombe Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JF.

Who's based here

Key dates

  • 1917 - First opened as Royal Flying Corps Redhouse Farm.
  • 1920 - Closed and the land returned to agricultural use.
  • 1939 - Began test flying with the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment moving in.
  • 1992 - The site was renamed the Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment (AAEE).
  • 2001 - The responsibility for the airfield was given to QinetiQ, in conjunction with the Air Warfare Centre.