MoD Boscombe Down MoD Boscombe Down is an aircraft testing site located at Amesbury in Wiltshire , England . It is run and managed by QinetiQ , the company created as part of the breakup of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in 2001 by the UK Ministry of Defence . It is the home of the Empire Test Pilots ' School . The site was formerly known as RAF Boscombe Down and since 1939 has evaluated aircraft for the British armed forces . History . The following squadrons were based here between 1930 and 1939 : Aircraft testing at the airfield started when the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment ( A & AEE ) moved from RAF Martlesham Heath in August 1939 , as the Second World War hostilities commenced , when the airfield was known as RAF Boscombe Down . The site has witnessed many significant developments in the British aviation industry , including trials of many aircraft flown by the British armed forces since the Second World War , such as the first flights of the English Electric P 1 , forerunner of the English Electric Lightning , the Folland Gnat and Midge , Hawker P . 1067 ( the prototype Hunter ) , Westland Wyvern and the BAC TSR . 2 . It was also formerly home to the School of Aviation Medicine . In 1992 the site was renamed the " Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment " when experimental work moved to the Defence Research Agency . Responsibility for the site passed from the MoD Procurement Executive to the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation ( DTEO ) in 1993 , and subsequently to the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in 1995 . Following the creation of QinetiQ in 2001 , a 25 year Long Term Partnering Agreement ( LTPA ) was established with the MOD . Boscombe Down remains a government airfield but operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MOD . The Joint Test and Evaluation Group was established under the control of RAF Air Command and together with QinetiQ forms the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre ( ATEC ) . This unique partnership is charged with the test and evaluation of future and in - service military aircraft . The military personnel of the JTEG play a central role in the test and evaluation process alongside their QinetiQ colleagues . A small part of Boscombe ' s history is being preserved in the US . The Anglo American Lightning Organisation are returning to flight the former ETPS English Electric Lightning , XS422 . The group is basing the restoration in the US as the CAA is expected to refuse permission for the aircraft to fly in the UK . The voluntary group , made up of RAF and former - RAF engineers , as well as civilian volunteers , has been carrying out a ' floor - up ' restoration and as of spring 2008 were around 80 % mechanically complete . The project is currently seeking investors and supporters . Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron . The Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron at MoD Boscombe Down was responsible for the flight testing of heavy aircraft ( Multi - engine types ) . Prior to the title of Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron ( HATS ) the flight testing of multi - engined aircraft was conducted by ' B Squadron ' . Following - on from B Squadron , the department became known as Fixed Wing Test Squadron ; however , during the late 1980s , the title once more changed to that of the Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron . On 16 June 2009 , HATS formally handed over its flight testing duties to the newly re - formed 206 ( R ) Squadron , which forms part of the Air Warfare Centre . Today . The site has two runways , one of in length and the second . It is home to Rotary Wing Test Squadron , Fast Jet Test Squadron , Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron , Handling Squadron , and the Empire Test Pilots ' School . It is also currently home to the Southampton University Air Squadron . Boscombe Down has been associated with rumours concerning U . S . black project s . An incident is reported to have occurred there on 26 September 1994 , although evidence is scarce , and both the British and American Governments have refused to comment on it . In October 2007 it was announced that RAF Boscombe Down would become a Quick Reaction Alert ( QRA ) airfield from early 2008 , offering round - the - clock fighter coverage for the South and South West of UK airspace . Contrary to media reports QRA aircraft will only be based at Boscombe Down if and when a specific threat to the region is deemed to exist . A well preserved Roman coffin was found to the west of the site in 2007 , on what is now the ' Archers Gate ' development .