- The FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub opened as the first phase of a broader intelligence ecosystem at RAF Wyton
- Partners include Defence Intelligence, Huntingdonshire District Council, CGI, CDS Defence & Security, MAIAR and Vantor
- The project delivers on the UK Strategic Defence Review and anchors a five-to-seven-year investment plan at the station
RAF Wyton has opened the FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub on Aug. 27, during the station’s annual Families Day, the UK government said. The facility is the first output of Project FAIRFAX, a multi-year program to develop an intelligence network at Wyton that connects Defence, industry and local government.
What Is the FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub?
Housed within RAF Wyton’s secure perimeter, the hub is a joint program between Defence Intelligence, Huntingdonshire District Council and four industry partners: CGI, CDS Defence & Security, MAIAR and Vantor. It provides shared space for innovation work, a development lab and STEM outreach activities for the surrounding community.
The hub is the first building of a planned Wyton Campus. Future phases include redeveloping the station’s legacy airfield into a science and technology park to bring industry closer to Wyton’s intelligence operations.
Why Was RAF Wyton Selected?
Wyton already houses the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence and other Defence Intelligence assets. Defence Intelligence sits within Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, providing geospatial and open-source analysis to commanders, policymakers and allied partners. That existing infrastructure made Wyton a practical base for Project FAIRFAX, which is planned to run over five to seven years.
What Did Key Leaders Say?
Air Vice-Marshal Adam Bone, director of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, said the hub addresses the growing complexity of threats facing the country.
“Defence Intelligence’s partnership with industry and academia at Wyton is about staying ahead of those who wish us harm, giving our people the tools and insight they need to keep the UK safe. This Hub is the first tangible step towards an intelligence ecosystem that will strengthen our ability to protect the public and defend the nation’s interests for years to come,” Bone said.
Wing Commander John Grenville, Station Commander of RAF Wyton, noted the project’s implications for the local area as well as Defence.
“FAIRFAX strengthens our ability to deliver for UK defense while also bringing real value to the local community. I am confident that under FAIRFAX, Wyton will retain its crown as a center of intelligence excellence but will also offer opportunities for local people and drive growth in the region,” Grenville said.
How Do Industry Partners View the Collaboration?
Richard Bradley, Managing Director of CDS Defence & Security, said the arrangement changes how Defence and industry work together.
“The FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub marks a real shift from a client and supplier relationship to a genuine partnership with Defence, where we work alongside our valued partners at Wyton to solve problems together. Sharing a dedicated space inside the wire means ideas move from conversation to capability far more quickly,” Bradley said.
Paul March, CGI Vice President of Consulting Services, said the company views the project as a sustained commitment.
“The vision for FAIRFAX aligns perfectly with CGI’s goals to accelerate innovation, strengthen STEM outreach within communities, and support the skills Defence will need for the future. We see this as a long-term commitment to Wyton, and the wider Huntingdonshire community,” March said.
All four partner companies will also support Wyton’s outreach program over the next 12 months, working with local schools and academic institutions to develop future staff for the station.
