Image: An aerial view of IWM Duxford© IWM Duxford
A partnership with University of Cambridge college Duxford AvTech will see the creation of a 45,000 sqm development
Imperial War Museums has announced plans to develop a new research and development centre for sustainable air transport at Cambridgeshire’s IWM Duxford.
The new Duxford AvTech centre will be developed in partnership with Cambridge University’s Gonville & Caius College, and will carry out prototype testing, certification and manufacture of new low and zero carbon aircraft technology.
The 45,000 sqm development will be set on land adjacent to the existing IWM Duxford site, which houses the museum’s existing aircraft, military vehicles, artillery and minor naval vessels in seven main exhibition buildings.
Duxford AvTech will focus on small, short distance transport for cargo, as well as small passenger transport aircraft and non-commercial passenger transport. IWM said its Duxford will remain an airfield and will not become a commercial passenger or cargo airport.
Once operational, the centre is expected to deliver an additional £64m GVA to the region’s economy.It will sit alongsideIWM’s new collections facility and a new, energy-efficient conservation engineering centre, The IWM Lab.
IWM and Caius will next week begin a search for its developer, before putting plans to public consultation. No date for its expected completion has been shared.
Caro Howell MBE, Director-General of Imperial War Museums said: “Throughout the First and Second World Wars, Duxford was a centre for aviation, embracing pioneering developments in technology and research, and in 1938 Duxford’s No. 19 Squadron was the first RAF squadron to re-equip with the new Supermarine Spitfire.
“Through Duxford AvTech, this tradition will be embraced once again as we aim to create an internationally recognised centre of excellence for the research and manufacture of new, low carbon aviation technologies.”
Robert Gardiner, Senior Bursar at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge: “With centuries of both a presence in Duxford and of nurturing leaders and cutting-edge research within the University, the College is proud to support delivery of the next generation of aviation technology.”
