RAF Marham
RAF Marham, the UK base of the F-35 Lightning and a key RAF operating station, undertook new testing facility construction in which MM Engineering provided specialist contractor services to design, manufacture, and install internal blast defence.
Chemring Energetics UK (CEUK) provides equipment based on energetic, explosive, and propellant materials for the defence, security, and commercial markets worldwide. RAF Marham is the UK base of the F-35 Lightning stealth fighter and home to a range of engineering support functions, from maintenance to frontline support. With 3,500+ service personnel, civil servants and contractors, the base is seen as one of the RAF’s main operating bases.
As part of the new construction of testing facilities within the base, MM Engineering supplied specialist contractor services under the appointed tier 1 contractor to design, manufacture and install internal blast defence.
Construction would involve two sets of double ‘hanger style’ sliding blast doors capable of withstanding a significant blast, within an already constructed internal space. Designed to be mounted on rollers, the project involved a design and manufacturing period of 9 weeks, as prototype rollers were tested to ensure they remained fully operable against the forces at play.
The critical challenge with the RAF Marham site proved to be location. Installation would involve construction within an existing space, with access openings and turning points in many areas matched to the measurements of the blast door components, which, due to their size and blast defence capabilities, would total around a tonne each in weight. Careful forethought and precision manoeuvring would be required to navigate the restricted internal lifting spaces and get the defences into position.
Comprehensive planning by our UK installation team took into consideration these specific circumstances when planning the installation on site. Our team’s skillset, combined with the use of manual Genie forklifts and Oscar 1000 Glazing Robots, allowed us to navigate restrictive areas without issue and remain on schedule for the planned 5-day install.
Totalling 10 weeks from design to install, the MM Engineering team were able to provide a bespoke, fit-for-purpose defensive solution, on time, and on budget.
