What is RAF Fylingdales used for?

What is RAF Fylingdales used for?

Its primary purpose is to give the British and US governments warning of an impending ballistic missile attack (part of the so-called four minute warning during the Cold War). A secondary role is the detection and tracking of orbiting objects; Fylingdales is part of the United States Space Surveillance Network.

Can you visit RAF Fylingdales?

All visits to the Station are by appointment only.

When were the golf balls removed from Fylingdales?

1992
The Fylingdale radomes were in use until 1992, when they were replaced by an advanced radar system, the three sided solid-state phased-array radar (SSPAR) grey pyramid. The golf balls were subsequently dismantled.

Are the golf balls still at Fylingdales?

The golf balls were operational between 1963 and 1992. The three golf balls seen from above, showing their position in the middle of the North York Moors. The US built the radars and continue to fund them, whilst the RAF staff and maintain the site. There is one US official currently stationed at the base.

What is fylingdales?

Fylingdales is a civil parish in the Scarborough district of North Yorkshire, England situated south of Whitby, within the North York Moors National Park. It contains the villages of Robin Hood’s Bay and Fylingthorpe and Fyling Hall School.

What is at Fylingdales?

RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning service to the UK and US Governments, ensuring a surprise missile attack cannot succeed. As a key element of the Space Surveillance Network, the Station is capable of tracking objects 3000 miles into space.

What happens at Fylingdales?

THE STATION RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning service to the UK and US Governments, ensuring a surprise missile attack cannot succeed. As a key element of the Space Surveillance Network, the Station is capable of tracking objects 3000 miles into space.

When was RAF Fylingdales built?

The site on the North York Moors was selected and construction work began in 1960. The construction of the iconic golf balls was completed and the site became operational in September 1963.

How many people work RAF Fylingdales?

THE STATION Other objects that come within our field of view include space debris, parts of rocket bodies and old satellites no longer active. Approximately 320 Service Personnel, Ministry of Defence Police, and civilian staff work at RAF Fylingdales.