RRH Buchan | |
|---|---|
| NearBoddam,Aberdeenshire in Scotland | |
 Radar dome at RRH Buchan. | |
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| Site information | |
| Type | Remote Radar Head |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Controlled by | No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support) |
| Condition | Operational |
| Radar type | Lockheed Martin AN/TPS-77 (AMES Type 92) Air Defence Radar |
| Location | |
  RRH Buchan Shown within Aberdeenshire Show map of Aberdeenshire RRH Buchan RRH Buchan (the United Kingdom) Show map of the United Kingdom | |
| Coordinates | 57°27′30″N001°48′43″W / 57.45833°N 1.81194°W /57.45833; -1.81194 |
| Area | 65 hectares (160 acres)[1] |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1952 (1952) |
| In use | 2004 – present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Radar Flight (North) |
Remote Radar Head Buchan orRRH Buchan is an air defence radar station operated by theRoyal Air Force. It is located at Stirling Hill, 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) south ofPeterhead on theAberdeenshire coast of northeast Scotland.
The unit is based at the operations site of the former RAF Buchan which was downgraded from an RAF station to a remote radar head (RRH) in September 2004.
RAF Buchan opened in 1952 as an Air Defence Radar Unit. As part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System, the station was one of twoControl and Reporting Centres (CRC) which monitored air traffic in and around UK airspace. RAF Buchan was parent station to remote radar heads atSaxa Vord andBenbecula.[2]
In 1979 operations moved into interim facilities above ground whilst the 'R3' underground operations block was refitted as an 'R3A', this involved the excavation of one side of the 'R3' and an auxiliary bunker was constructed alongside to provide secure facilities for stand by generators, power cleaning and air filtration. The equipment used included the GL-161 computer system.[3]
Following the collapse of theWarsaw Pact in 1991, Buchan became aControl and Reporting Centre (CRC), part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System (UKASACS). Buchan was responsible for UK airspace north ofNewcastle, working closely with counterparts inScandinavian countries. The southern CRC was located atRAF Neatishead inNorfolk. Around the same time, Buchan became parent station forRAF Saxa Vord inShetland (91 Signals Unit) andRAF Benbecula (71 Signals Unit) in theOuter Hebrides, both of which were downgraded to reporting posts which feed data into the UKASACS.[4]
Together, the two CRCs processed information which was provided continuously by reporting posts and civilian radars, producing an overview of all aircraft operating within UK airspace, known as theRecognised Air Picture (RAP). Information would also be communicated via digital data-links to neighbouringNATO countries,Airborne Early Warning (AEW) & other aircraft, ground units and ships. Fighter controllers at Buchan also provided tactical control of air-defence aircraft during peacetimeQuick Reaction Alert (QRA) interceptions, during training and in the event of war.[4]
In 1994 Buchan was home to Nos 170 and 487 Signals Unit and the CRC.[5]
In May 2000 theMinistry of Defence announced the downgrading of RAF Buchan from a manned station to a remote radar head, and thatRAF Boulmer inNorthumberland andRAF Neatishead in Norfolk, would continue to operate the surveillance and control system. The measure resulted in the loss of 55 civilian jobs and the transfer of over 200 RAF personnel. Around 92 military and civilian personnel were expected to remain to operate the remote radar head.[6] The radar unit ceased to be a RAF station on 1 September 2004 and the operational part of the station became Remote Radar Head Buchan.[7][8]
The separate domestic accommodation site located inBoddam was sold by the Ministry of Defence to a private developer in 2012.[9]
Buchan's Type T92(B3) radar (more widely known out-with RAF service as theLockheed MartinAN/FPS-117 ) was replaced in 2015 with a new Lockheed Martin AN/TPS-77 system. The new radar was funded bywind farm developers and was installed in order to help reduce the impact ofinterference from wind turbines.[10][11]
In 2017 the unit'sradome was replaced over a six-week period, the existing enclosure having been installed in 1984.[12]
As part of a major upgrade of Remote Radar Head sites around the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Defence began a programme entitled HYDRA in 2020 to install new communications buildings, radar towers and perimeter security.[13][14]
RRH Buchan operates a Lockheed Martin AN/TPS-77 long-range surveillance radar. It collects data as part of the UK Air Surveillance And Control System (ASACS) based atRAF Boulmer and supports the creation of therecognised air picture for the United Kingdom.[11][15]
Radar Flight (North) of the ASACS Engineering & Logistics Squadron based at RAF Boulmer has command and control of RRH Buchan and ensures its operational availability.[4]
As of 1 January 2024, twenty UK Armed Forces Service personnel are based at Buchan.[16]
 Royal Air Force radar stations  | ||||||
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| UK radar stations |
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| Worldwide radar stations |
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| Notes | 1: Still in RAF use as a bombing range | |||||