'Skynet 5' military satellite earthstation

Old RAF Oakhanger 1001 Signals Unit (now staffed by Paradigm Services, a private commercial technology company). It is now home to military communications experts, working on the Government's new "Skynet 5" satellite project. The original RAF signals site is now Paradigm's "TCS" - Telemetry and Command Station.

Skynet is a family of military satellites, operated by the UK Ministry of Defence, which provide strategic communication services to the three branches of the UK Armed Forces.

Skynet 5 is the next generation of satellites, replacing the existing Skynet 4 Stage 2 system. The first Skynet 5 satellite is expected to become operational in 2006. [www.secret-bases.co.uk]