Royal Aircraft Establishment, Oakhanger

HC Deb 28 June 1984 vol 62 c488W

Mr. Mates

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any developments are planned at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Oakhanger.

Mr. Lee

Yes. We have approved a joint Anglo-American project to establish a communications antenna at RAE Oakhanger. The purpose of this development is to enhance the existing co-operation between ourselves and the United States in the field of satellite communications, in particular in support of the Skynet 4 satellite project and the space shuttle. The possibility of a second Anglo-American project to establish a further tracking dish at Oakhanger is still under consideration.