School of Army Aviation, Middle Wallop

Fact and figures

Part of the South East Regional Prime contract

Interserve has created a modern, bespoke air refuelling training facility at the School of Army Aviation in Middle Wallop.

Middle Wallop is home to the Army Air Corps (AAC), and conducts all levels of flying training to a wide range of tri-service and foreign and commonwealth service personnel. The School of Army Aviation (SAAvn) provides training on the operating procedures of Tactical Aircraft refuellers (TARs) for all Phase 2 students and for all Class 1 courses. The current in-service TAR id the 4,500 litre Mark 5b will be replaced by the Wheeled Tanker (WT), which has a 15,000 litre capacity. Operator handling takes place on the TAR park, unprotected from adverse weather and restricted to daylight hours.

Interserve's new Tactical Air Refuelling Training Facility (TARTF) rectifies this shortfall in provision by providing a weather-proof training environment capable of accommodating the WT and operable regardless of prevailing weather or daylight conditions. The installation of acoustic screening also protects facility users from the noise of aircraft.

Interserve implemented lean construction and procurement methodologies, such as off-site fabrication leading to quicker and easier construction on-site and reduced the risk of watercourse or land contamination with drainage systems that can accommodate up to 25,000 litres of spilt fuel.