duct requiring inspection
drone flight (one of the longest sub-terranean drone flights undertaken)
approx. saved through drone inspection
Overview of the challenge
Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall is a is a Royal Air Force station located near Mildenhall in Suffolk, England.
Mitie faced the challenge of inspecting the condition of a 130m duct located beneath RAF Mildenhall’s runway. This was under exceptional stress due to take-off and landing activities. Traditional inspection methods weren’t feasible as the duct was too small for anyone to enter to complete an inspection. Using remote-controlled vehicles or cabled systems posed the risk of snagging or damage. The focus was finding a safe, efficient, and cost-effective method to assess the duct’s condition without disrupting runway operations.
Our approach
Mitie’s solution to carrying out the inspection involved a customised drone with modified firmware to meet the client’s enhanced IT security and operational standards. The 400mm diameter drone was flown through the 130m long duct under operator control, providing real-time guidance and 4k HD data capture. The 22-minute flight, following 18 months of intensive planning, has been highlighted as one of the longest subterranean drone flights undertaken. This allowed structural engineers to view the data, assess the duct’s condition, and make a conclusive decision without risking damage to the infrastructure or causing disruption to runway operations.
The results
The drone survey resulted in the successful inspection of the duct’s condition without causing any damage or disruption to runway operations. In fact, the runway was only closed for a 45-minute window thanks to meticulous planning and co-operation from stakeholders. The drone flight revealed that the duct was in good condition and didn’t require any further works. As a consequence, costly repairs and potential runway downtime were avoided, which was anticipated to be approximately £200k in replacement costs with around seven to 10 days of runway disruption. The next inspection is scheduled to take place in four years’ time.
Why choose Mitie?
Mitie’s Defence base services are enhanced by over 20 years’ experience in the sector, making sure your operations run smoothly and efficiently. The combined power of our dedicated teams, the latest technology and an innovative approach help you safeguard global security.
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