Op BILOXI: Rising to the challenge of deployable design

27-09-2024

Since 2017, the RAF has contributed to NATO’s Southern Air Policing mission, where member states assist the Romanian Air Force’s fast-jet fleet in protecting Black Sea airspace. The RAF have named this Operation BILOXI.

July marked the end of the RAF’s fifth four-month detachment in Romania.

In each of these missions, the RAF’s Expeditionary Air Wing’s 150 personnel have arrived in Mihail Kogălniceanu Airbase with 20ft ISO containers in tow. Neatly packed inside is Rubb’s deployable hangar system.

This last detachment saw the RAF’s four Typhoon jets supported by three 20.4m EFASS hangars, one 18m sunshade, and one 9.1m ECASS. All of this must be erected, then dismantled in a four-month window—only to be deployed again the following year.

Drilling down

This presented a problem for 5001 Squadron, the RAF team dedicated to the rapid installation of fast-jet and rotary infrastructure.

Typically, Rubb’s EFASS hangars are globe-trotting assets that follow RAF requirements from country to country. These, however, were being erected on the exact same concrete slabs year after year.

The EFASS anchoring system required new holes to be drilled each time it was deployed. 5001 Sqn’s strict safety standards stated a minimum distance between previously drilled holes and new ones.

After so many deployments, they were running out of space.

What may sound like a showstopper was actually an opportunity for Rubb to rise to the challenge and put our engineering expertise to work. Over the course of a few weeks, Rubb’s design team developed a new reusable chemical resin anchor sleeve system that allows 5001 Sqn to return year after year without issue.

The EFASS is so advanced due to countless situations like this. Since 2002, real-world feedback from military personnel has developed it into the ultimate deployable hangar solution.

Rinse and repeat

Following the completion of Op BILOXI’s latest detachment, the RAF’s EFASS assets have been dismantled and returned to storage in their 20ft ISO containers. They won’t be there for long, however, as they are due to be returned to Rubb’s Gateshead, UK plant for refurbishment before redeployment.

Once on site, Rubb will refurbish the hangars and return them to A1 (new) condition. This involves carrying out a full inventory of parts, servicing, repairing and repacking items ready for redeployment.

All refurbished hangars are also brought up to modern specifications, ensuring the hangar’s high-quality performance will continue for multiple deployments over many years.

It was great to work with 5001 Squadron and help them overcome one of the main issues they face when deployed overseas. Working closely with the squadron provides important feedback, that allows us to continuously improve and enhance our deployable hangar solutions.

Military Project Lead, Rubb UK
Adam Bowery

For more information on Op BILOXI: Rising to the challenge of deployable design talk to Rubb Buildings Ltd