Hi, I’m David Salmond and I'm Deputy Head of Major Projects in DIO's Programme and Projects Delivery team. With the DIO project team, we’re responsible for delivering the enabling works at RAF Marham in preparation for the arrival and operation of the UK’s F-35B Lightning II aircraft at the Norfolk base.
F-35B Infrastructure
For those of you unaware of the project, the UK has ordered a number of state of the art F-35 aircraft so that by 2023 up to 24 frontline aircraft will be available to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force for land- or sea-based deployments. This programme is vital to the future capability of the UK’s Armed Forces and will ensure that the UK has a battle-winning fleet of jets deployable anywhere in the world. RAF Marham will be the main operating base for the F-35B Lightning II with the first aircraft arriving in mid-2018. The first UK squadron of Lightning II will stand up, initially in the US, from 2016 and transition to the UK in 2018 – coherent with drawdown plans for the Tornado GR4.
![A United Kingdom F-35B Lightning II taxiing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, USA. [Crown Copyright/MOD2014]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/04/20140620-A-UK-F35B-jet-at-Elgin-Air-Force-Base-California.jpg)
DIO's Role
Our role at DIO is to manage a complex series of projects to provide the vital infrastructure necessary to support the arrival and operation of the Lightning II aircraft and its associated equipment and systems. The enabling works, which are expected to take 21 months to complete, will involve a significant upgrade to the site’s high voltage power supply, the demolition of redundant facilities and the installation of new site-wide utilities. This will enable the later construction packages for the vertical landing pads, hangarage, office and technical facilities, aircraft shelters and servicing platforms plus the refurbishment of runways, taxiways and Hardened Aircraft Shelters.
![An infographic showing the work DIO will complete at RAF Marham. [Crown Copyright/MOD2016]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/04/RAF-Marham-F-35-Lightning-II-Info-Graphic-Alternate-runway-colour-FINAL-Amended-72DPI-FOR-WEB.jpg)
Enabling Air Power
The awarding of these contracts is a significant step towards the arrival of Lightning II aircraft at RAF Marham. The considerable investment demonstrates the MOD’s long-term commitment to the air station, local community and military capability. The F-35s are the most advanced combat aircraft in the world. Whether operating from land or from one of our two new £3 billion aircraft carriers, they will ensure we have a formidable fighting force and we are incredibly proud to be involved in these projects.
3 comments
Comment by David Nairn posted on
Really interesting piece, David, and I can see why you are proud to be involved in this exciting project.
Comment by Paul Dixon posted on
This is the last blog relating to Marham, can we have an update please. I note that, if the NOTAMs are any guide, then the programme for completion of the work on runway 01/19 appears to have been extended by three months, from the beginning of December to the end of February.
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
Hi Paul
We're looking into getting a new one up in the New Year; in the meantime you may find this project overview video of interest: https://youtu.be/kJr3l-RdbaY