From protective aircraft shelters for use by fifth-generation fast jets, to larger structures used for longer-term storage and maintenance of helicopters and larger aircraft, hangars are an important piece of infrastructure. Designs should interface with Aircraft Operating Surfaces for efficiency of operation and maintenance.

Case study: Maintenance hangar at major UK airport
Working for a leading aircraft manufacturer, we designed a 15,000m² hangar for maintaining commercial airliners at a busy UK airport, using DfMA to ensure efficient and safe construction. The scope required various combinations of aircraft to be housed at any one time, as well as challenging height restrictions imposed due to the proximity of aircraft operations. We were engaged to provide engineering design and construction support services on the project. Once the structure was designed, we also undertook a value engineering exercise to reduce construction cost.

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Specialist infrastructure is required to keep modern military aircraft stored, fuelled, washed, maintained and operating smoothly. Key aspects for its masterplanning and design include compliance requirements, lighting, fire safety, drainage and surface water management, compatibility with current and future technology and conformity to international standards.

Case study: AGE facility and fuel cell at RAF Lakenheath
As part of our delivery partner role on the US Visiting Forces F-35 Beddown programme at RAF Lakenheath, we designed a new Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) facility and fuel cell to support the arrival of the F-35 aircraft at the air base in Suffolk. We used design charrettes to capture requirements from the client and end users, worked with specialist experts to review the designed assets for compliance, and oversaw construction until successful commissioning, handover and operational use.

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Parking aprons, taxiways and runways range from those used by the largest transport aircraft such as the C-17 at RAF Brize Norton to smaller Remotely Piloted Air Systems such as PROTECTOR at RAF Waddington. For optimal design, aerodrome design and safeguarding requirements must be carefully considered alongside operational requirements and environmental factors. Surfaces in heavily used areas of an airfield can have an average lifespan of as little as 10 years, and so asset management and maintenance are key.

Case study: RAF Lossiemouth Aircraft Operating Surfaces (AOS) Design & Build Contract
We delivered a detailed design for runway surfaces and infrastructure that enabled RAF Lossiemouth to accommodate larger, modern aircraft and supported successful construction against a challenging schedule. We were engaged by VolkerFitzpatrick, on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), to upgrade two runways and associated infrastructure; this included strengthening and widening the runways and the construction of a new Aircraft Servicing Platform.

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There is a lot to consider when designing and delivering facilities for use by aircraft operators, trainers and maintainers. Buildings and other infrastructure must flow together to support safe, secure and efficient operation while ensuring operational readiness and resilience. Spaces for living and working must be secure, comfortable and efficient for a modern, highly skilled workforce.

Case study: Creating a safer airspace at RAF Coningsby
We managed the project to build a new air traffic control facility at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to replace the original 1940s structure. We liaised with the project sponsor and end-user to form a dedicated team, and took the scheme through project viability and derived design, site investigations, planning liaison, procurement and construction. A combination of our strong relationship with the client, a detailed knowledge of site services and base operating procedures, and a large team of experienced, site-base staff ensured success.

Armouries and munitions storage buildings are functional structures designed for security, strength and safety. Safety and security requirements dictate many design requirements including layouts, stand-off distances and lines of sight, while choice of materials and construction processes can aid sustainability.

Case study: Munitions inspection facility at RAF Lakenheath
Acting as technical services provider for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and United States Visiting Forces (USVF) in the design of a munitions inspection facility at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, we led a three-day design charrette, a collaborative design activity with end users and other stakeholders, which helped inform holistic solutions and a shared vision for the facility. The charrette helped us to identify systems and construction methods that could significantly reduce energy usage, while meeting all necessary standards and regulations.

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With military bases needing to be ever vigilant against the changing threat environment, security systems and processes must be designed and incorporated within infrastructure facilities. Designs are developed to take account of stand-off distances and physical protection against explosives, while modern technology can assist in security monitoring to provide a layered and secure environment from which to operate.

Our experience:
As a trusted partner for many complex defence equipment and infrastructure programmes in the UK, including Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) projects, we have a deep understanding of security requirements and standards. Engaging with Ministry of Defence security stakeholders, we work in partnership to define the right security arrangements for all the projects we are involved in.

Providing day-to-day access for vessels of all kinds, and featuring heavy lifting equipment for loading and unloading, maintenance and repair, docks are the focus of significant infrastructure investment and must be planned carefully to accommodate future needs.

Case study: Creating the Naval Dockyard of the Future at Devonport
As delivery partner supporting Babcock on the 10 Dock Programme and Major Infrastructure Projects (MIP) at Devonport Royal Dockyard in Plymouth, we’re part of a collaborative, integrated team that is leading major improvements to the docks and facilities. The works will enable Devonport to meet the Navy’s needs, including maintaining the new Type 26 frigates and Astute and Dreadnought class submarines, long into the future.

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Education for the families of service personnel who live on military bases is an important component of employee wellbeing and adds value for the community. Educational facilities and environments must be conducive to learning wherever service personnel and their families are based. Modular, repeatable building designs can represent excellent value, while aiding constructability and future adaptability.

Case study: High school and child development centre at RAF Lakenheath
As part of our delivery partner role on the F-35 Beddown programme at RAF Lakenheath, we designed a three-storey high school for approximately 560 students. Since the school’s students would be connected to the US Visiting Forces (USVF) the school was delivered to US Department of Defense Educational Authority specifications, as well as meeting all UK standards. The school featured sport facilities and an outdoor landscaped learning area, and designs achieved a high level of sound attenuation.

Technology in the defence arena advances rapidly, and so deciding what to invest in, and the right time to replace existing equipment, is never straightforward. Scenario planning and roadmapping exercises, together with whole life costing and risk management, can help to de-risk these programmes.

Case study: NATO Alliance Future Surveillance and Control – Risk Reduction Feasibility Study
As part of the Boeing ABILITI Consortium, Mott MacDonald is supporting NATO to redefine how it will conduct aerial surveillance following the retirement of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet in 2035. We conducted roadmapping and assessed the lifecycle costs, risk management and through-life management of over 20 constituent systems capable of providing future surveillance.

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Looking after the health of service personnel and their families is an integral component of military capability and part of the defence sector’s duty of care to its employees. Excellent medical facilities promote individual and collective wellbeing and can provide benefits for the wider community.

Case study: Project Winfra (Wildcat Infrastructure): Medical and Dental Technical Accommodation
As part of the wider £100M project to enhance infrastructure at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, we managed the design and construction of a new-build dental centre, a refurbished medical centre and rehabilitation gym, and a new-build ambulance garage. We undertook the early-stage design of all works and the procurement and management of the detailed design development and construction using a Design and Build Contractor from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) national construction framework.

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To deliver full operational capability in support of the defence of the realm, strategic decision making, transformational projects and sensitive infrastructure is required to support the security and intelligence agencies of the UK and its allies. We work with strategic partners and clients to drive change and improvements, including through the development of strategic roadmaps.

We can help with:

• Portfolio, programme, project, commercial and cost management
• Programme/portfolio management office and project controls
• Transformational and change management
• Design, engineering and construction supervision

Case study: NATO Alliance Future Surveillance and Control – Strategic Decision Making Through Technology Roadmapping
As part of the Boeing ABILITI Consortium, Mott MacDonald is supporting NATO to redefine how it will conduct aerial surveillance following the retirement of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet in 2035. We conducted technology roadmapping for over 20 constituent systems capable of providing future surveillance.

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The defence sector owns and controls a significant estate (2% of all land in the UK) and so it has a role to play in the conservation and custodianship of nature. Storing information on the legal status, ecology and natural characteristics of land is particularly important when land is considered for development or sale.

Our solutions: Moata Land Management
Available through our Moata platform, Moata Land Management is a simple and easy to use GIS-based solution for keeping and maintaining land information. It removes the need for multiple spreadsheets and the transferring of land and engagement data between different parties by supplying a cradle to grave system. You can effectively plan, manage and perform surveys, and record engagement with stakeholders, in one system leading to efficiencies of up to 20% of costs.

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Military bases are homes for soldiers, sailors, aviators and their families through the year. High quality accommodation is important for their health and wellbeing as well as being a secure and safe place to live. Modular designs can provide cost-effective construction and economies of scale, while being easy to maintain and adapt for future needs.

Case study: Wildcat Infrastructure at RNAS Yeovilton
We managed the design, procurement and construction of this £100M project to enhance Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton as an operational base for the Wildcat helicopter, serving both the Royal Navy and the British Army. We were given responsibility for procuring and managing a contractor to develop the design and construct the main works for the programme. The work included over 450 units of single living accommodation (SLA).

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One of the central pillars of military capability, logistics involves the transport of equipment, personnel, material and supplies. It requires both permanent and temporary infrastructure, and organisation that can be supported by modern digital tools and information management.

Case study: RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus – Passenger and Freight Handling Facilities
We acted as Technical Service Provider (TSP) for the DIO providing engineering, management and development services for the creation of a new terminal and freight buildings. The new, enlarged facilities will be seismically compliant and will include a bigger arrivals lounge and a 445-seat departure lounge. The facilities have been designed to minimise energy use, using features such as solar control glazing and intelligent lighting controls, and will utilise solar PV renewable energy.

Regular maintenance for vehicles, ships and aircraft alike requires accessible, secure facilities and workshops that are appropriately sized; fire safety, ventilation and temperature control are important considerations. For newly developed equipment, maintenance infrastructure should ideally be developed alongside the equipment programme.

Case study: Leuchars Station Army Basing Programme Phase 5
We developed the designs for new and refurbished facilities that converted a former RAF base for use by the British Army. The project included new and refurbished office accommodation, vehicle inspection, garaging and workshops, and specialist storage facilities. We drew on our experience in architectural, civil, structural and building services design, together with our environmental, sustainability and cost analysis expertise, to design modern and compliant facilities, obtain planning and listed building consents and deliver all tender documentation for business case approval.

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The UK’s nuclear submarine fleet, which includes the continuous at sea deterrent, needs to be accompanied by infrastructure that is also continuously available for operation. That means careful management of maintenance needs, and a relentless focus on safety, security and the environment. We’re supporting the developing infrastructure needs for the new Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS class submarines both in the UK and Australia.

Case study: HMNB Clyde Nuclear Support Hub
As part of a £750M programme to upgrade all the existing services and facilities at HM Naval Base Clyde, we designed and developed replacement processing facilities – including a new liquid effluent treatment plant (ETP), nuclear repair active workshop, docking pontoon and discharge pipeline – that will allow the safe and environmental disposal of nuclear waste from the naval base for decades to come.

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Specialist working buildings and facilities are required across every military domain including offices and stores for vehicles, equipment, weapons and ammunition. Working closely with end users and stakeholders can ensure we understand and meet their particular needs.

Case study: Leuchars Station Army Basing Programme Phase 5
We developed the designs for new and refurbished facilities that converted a former RAF base for use by the British Army. The project included new and refurbished office accommodation, vehicle inspection, garaging and workshops, and specialist storage facilities. We drew on our experience in architectural, civil, structural and building services design, together with our environmental, sustainability and cost analysis expertise, to design modern and compliant facilities, obtain planning and listed building consents and delivered all tender documentation for business case approval.

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Generating renewable energy aids resilience and security as well as saving money and making operations more sustainable. The availability of land on the defence estate makes solar PV a particularly attractive option, whether through grid or private wire connections. Utilities and site wide infrastructure are crucial to supporting existing and new facilities, be that high-voltage (HV) power supplies, wastewater and drainage systems or public services.

Case study: Solar energy for a net-zero future
A public sector client asked us to support development and delivery of a portfolio of solar PV projects on land that it owns across the UK. We carried out a high-level assessment of the technical feasibility of installation across 25 sites identified by the client. We identified risks, opportunities and priorities for roll-out and provided technical and commercial expertise. Working closely with the client, we achieved concept designs for nine of the most attractive sites.

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When delivering infrastructure for classified projects, contractors and suppliers must be subject to a higher level of security clearance, and understand the physical and technical security specifications and best practices for meeting standards needed of users, including for users of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF).

Our experience:
We have provided client-side support in the design and construction management of secure facilities for mixed use across multiple locations for multiple end users. As a company we have supported SCIF and SAPF facilities.

The space sector comprises of Upstream (the design and launch of rockets and their payloads), Midstream (covering satellite operations and data sales) and Downstream (satellite service provisioning, user equipment manufacturing and services utilising data for people and businesses). The UK Space Strategy, released in Sep 2021 and outlining UK government ambitions in the sector, aligns closely with work undertaken by Mott MacDonald and our experience in adjacent sectors, notably defence and transportation.

Case study: Environmental Marine Litter Monitoring Assessment Study
We led an Environmental Marine Litter Monitoring assessment study for the European Space Agency. The assessment study assessed the technical and commercial feasibility of using earth observation data as part of the solution to monitor marine plastic debris.

Sport and exercise facilities keep service personnel fit and healthy both physically and mentally, helping with injury rehabilitation and developing teamwork. Facilities also benefit service personnel’s families and can be provided as a benefit to the local community as a way of adding social value to infrastructure projects. We can support you with the broad spectrum of facilities including gyms and rehabilitation facilities, pitches and courts (for example, football and rugby pitches, and tennis courts) and outdoor recreational areas.

Case study: RAF Lossiemouth Aircraft Operating Surfaces – social outcomes partnership
The VolkerFitzpatrick – Mott MacDonald partnership which delivered the RAF Lossiemouth Aircraft Operating Surfaces (AOS) project for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) made a commitment to leave a positive legacy to the local community. Elgin Sports Community Trust (ESCT), a charity set up in 2017 in response to the lack of sports pitches and facilities in the Moray area, was selected as a charity partner, and the partnership invested in the design and installation of artificial turf football pitches.

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Like any large enterprise, defence organisations often need to implement strategic change: to articulate a new vision for how things must be done to improve efficiencies and effectiveness, and to ensure employees, stakeholders and commercial partners buy into it. Change programmes are always challenging and require leadership, planning, communication and accountability.

Case study: Transforming project management at Babcock
Together with joint venture partners, we helped transform Babcock’s portfolio, programme and project management (P3M) function, based at HM Naval Base Devonport, which is delivering 14 major projects in the nuclear sector. Using a five-pronged framework (people, organisation, process, information and technology) we created a world class project delivery organisation that integrates people, ways of working and technology to successfully deliver predictable outcomes.

As new and developing equipment is acquired and comes on line or is moved to another location, infrastructure needs to be considered simultaneously; adapting and modernising existing infrastructure, and building new infrastructure where necessary, will ensure a continuously operational and fully functioning military capability. Robust programme management including costing and scheduling, together with collaboration and stakeholder management, is crucial for major infrastructure improvement programmes to ensure that delivery timescales match up.

Case study: Typhoon Maintenance Facility, RAF Coningsby
We provided project management, architectural design, performance specifications, and contractor and site supervision for a state-of-the-art facility designed to maintain and service the Typhoon aircraft at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. The specialist build included an aircraft hangar, ten maintenance bays and offices, and workshops to house support facilities; a secure avionic regional centre was constructed for the sensitive electronic equipment used to control the aircraft. The project was delivered on time and within budget; the facility has achieved a ‘very good’ DREAM rating.

All military personnel require training, but methods and modes of training and the selection of an appropriate learning environment is highly dependent on their role. Close engagement with end users can help you find the correct mix of classroom, practical and virtual modes, in accordance with country-specific security requirements.

Case study: Training projects at HM Naval Base Clyde
We designed three bespoke training facilities for the Royal Navy at HMNB Clyde that will allow the Royal Navy Submarine Service to consolidate submarine training into one location for the first time. This consists of a submarine escape, rescue, abandonment and survival facility which provides underwater experiential training; a five-storey submariner’s school featuring classrooms, workshops, laboratories, experiential learning equipment and welfare facilities; and a specialised training facility offering a mix of classroom and experiential workshops to support the new class of submarine entering service.

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