Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit

The Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) is a tri-service unit is an Air Warfare Centre Unit located at RAF Brize Norton. Commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel, it has a combined strength of approximately 115 military personnel and civil servants. Its primary role is to conduct operational trials and evaluation and to develop the delivery by air of manpower, machines and materiel on behalf of sponsors. In addition it provides advice/recommendations to MOD sponsors, other government departments, civilian industry and foreign governments on all air transport matters. It received ISO 9001 accreditation in 1997, this a requirement of holding Design Approved Organisation Scheme approval.

The JADTEU traces its history to the Army's Airborne Forces Development Centre and the RAF's Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit. The Joint Air Transport Establishment was formed in January 1968 to oversee the testing of aircraft and trialling of new techniques. It was renamed Joint Air Transport Evaluation Unit (JATEU) in 1998.

Its mission "To enable the delivery by air of manpower, machines and materiel through development, trials and training, in order to enhance Defence Capability.”

Its chain of command is through the development division of the RAF Air Warfare Centre which comes under Chief of Staff Operations (COS(Ops)) HQ Air Command. The unit is parented for administration purposes by RAF Brize Norton.

The unit, consisting of six lead sections and support staff, undertakes a wide variety of tasks as follows:

Airportability Section: Conduct operational test and evaluation loading trials in order to produce amendments to associated Aircraft Publications

Aerial Delivery Section: The Aerial Delivery Section at JADTEU is responsible for trialling equipment for aerial delivery suitability, and trial and develop new aerial delivery systems

Personnel Parachute Team: The delivery of personnel by parachute, both overtly and covertly, to land or sea

Helicopter Section: JADTEU Helicopter Section is responsible for the assessment and trial of all equipment that is to be underslung from UK military helicopters

Engineering Section: Engineering Section provides specialist engineering support and airworthiness advice to all departments and customers at JADTEU. This support includes the production of Prototype Equipment designed in-house.

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