A new milestone has been reached on the delivery of a new first permanent home in Europe for the US Air Force F-35 Fighter Jet. The Kier VolkerFitzpatrick joint venture has been appointed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to deliver new infrastructure at RAF Lakenheath. Since 2016, the Mott MacDonald Jacobs joint venture is supporting DIO in developing the infrastructure requirements and have been a key part in driving the delivery of this project.
The F-35 Beddown Programme, which is part of a wider programme of work to support the US Air Force operations in the UK, involves construction and renovation of a number of buildings and infrastructure projects on the Suffolk site, including a six-bay flight simulator, an aircraft maintenance unit, new hangars, and 42 aircraft parking aprons.
Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Commercial Director, Jacqui Rock, said: “We welcome this investment into RAF Lakenheath. This is an incredible opportunity for UK Defence and for the local area and DIO is pleased to be able to support the development of this key infrastructure which will make the beddown of the US F-35s possible.”
Main construction works are set to begin in summer 2019, following extensive enabling works, ready for arrival of the aircraft from November 2021.