RAF Saxa Vord
Royal Air Force air defence radar on Unst, Shetland, Scotland, United Kingdom / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remote Radar Head Saxa Vord or RRH Saxa Vord (aka RAF Saxa Vord), is a Royal Air Force radar station located on the island of Unst, the most northern of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. As of July 2019 it is once more a fully operational radar station,[2] after closure in 2006.[3] The station's motto Praemoneo de Periculis ('Premonition of Peril') reflects its role. RAF Saxa Vord is further north than Saint Petersburg in Russia, and on the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska. The station was named after Saxa Vord, which is the highest hill on Unst at 935 ft (285 m).[4] It holds the unofficial British record for wind speed, which in 1992 was recorded at 197 mph (317 km/h) — just before the measuring equipment blew away.[5]
Quick Facts RRH Saxa Vord, Coordinates ...
RRH Saxa Vord | |
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Unst, Shetland Islands in Scotland | |
Coordinates | 60°49′39″N 0°50′28″W |
Type | Remote Radar Head |
Area | 8 hectares (20 acres)[1] |
Site information | |
Owner | Ministry of Defence |
Operator | Royal Air Force |
Controlled by | No. 1 Group (Air Combat) |
Condition | Operational |
Radar type | Lockheed Martin AN/TPS-77 (Type 92) Air Defence Radar |
Site history | |
Built | 1957 (1957) |
In use | 2006 – present |
Garrison information | |
Occupants | Radar Flight (North) |
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