Engineering that meets the demands of operational defence sites
Defence and military infrastructure covers an unusually broad span of building types and structures — from hangars, maintenance facilities and stores to communications infrastructure, hardstanding, security fencing and specialist equipment platforms. Working within an active RAF station or MoD establishment brings its own set of practical challenges, including restricted access, security vetting, tight operational windows and the need to work sensitively around live operations. At Richard Herrmannn Associates Ltd, our team is well versed in these constraints and structures its approach accordingly, ensuring that engineering work is planned, sequenced and delivered with minimal disruption to site activity.
We understand that defence infrastructure often needs to perform to a higher standard of resilience than typical commercial or public buildings. Structures may need to withstand extreme loading conditions, support heavy or sensitive equipment, or be designed with additional consideration given to security, protection and long-term durability. Our structural and civil engineering input reflects this, drawing on decades of experience solving complex, non-standard engineering problems.
Specialist structural engineering for the UK's defence sector
The Chartered Engineers at Richard Herrmann Associates have provided structural and civil engineering support to defence and military infrastructure projects across the United Kingdom, including work associated with Royal Air Force stations and Ministry of Defence sites. Defence environments demand a level of technical rigour, discretion and resilience that few other sectors require, and it's an area where our depth of experience allows us to add genuine value. If you have a defence-related scheme in mind, speak with our Cambridgeshire-based team about how we can support delivery.
Working within secure and regulated environments
We recognise that defence sites operate under a different set of rules to conventional construction environments. Personnel security requirements, site access protocols, and compliance with MoD and Defence Infrastructure Organisation standards all shape how a project needs to be run. Our team is experienced in adapting to these requirements, maintaining the appropriate conduct, confidentiality and professionalism expected when working on operational RAF and MoD establishments throughout the UK.
We also apply the same rigorous approach to health and safety, quality assurance and documentation that defence clients and their principal contractors expect, ensuring our input integrates smoothly into wider project governance and reporting structures.
Technical capability for specialist and sensitive structures
Defence projects frequently call for engineering solutions that sit outside standard commercial practice. Our experience includes structural design and assessment for:
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Aircraft hangars, maintenance facilities and specialist stores
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Communications, radar and antenna support structures, including foundations and support steelwork for masts, dishes and radome installations
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Hardstanding, aprons and pavement design for heavy plant and vehicle loading
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Security infrastructure, including fencing, gatehouses and perimeter works
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Building movement investigations and remedial structural works to ageing defence estate buildings
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Secondary verification of calculations for specialist contractors and equipment suppliers working within defence sites
Where structures are required to support sensitive or high-value equipment, or where foundations and steelwork must be coordinated closely with specialist installers, our Chartered Engineers work collaboratively with the wider design team to ensure loadings, tolerances and interfaces are correctly understood and accounted for from an early stage. This close coordination is particularly important on communications and antenna infrastructure projects, where structural support work must be integrated precisely with specialist mechanical and electronic systems.
Durable infrastructure built to perform under pressure
Defence infrastructure has to work first time and keep working, often in demanding operational or environmental conditions and with limited tolerance for downtime. Our approach to structural design for this sector prioritises robustness, buildability and long-term performance, ensuring that foundations, structures and supporting infrastructure are engineered to cope with the loading, environmental exposure and operational demands placed upon them.
With over 38 years of experience delivering technically demanding projects throughout the UK, and every scheme designed or overseen by a Chartered Engineer, Richard Herrmann Associates offers defence sector clients and principal contractors a trusted, technically capable engineering partner. Whether supporting new-build infrastructure or the refurbishment and upgrade of existing defence estate assets, we bring the same close attention to detail and problem-solving mindset that underpins all of our work.
For a confidential discussion about a defence or military engineering requirement, get in touch with our team or call 01480 455179.
37
Years Est.
6,500+
Clients
100+
Years' Experience
Discuss your project
If you'd like to discuss a defence or military engineering project, feel free to call 01480 455179 or complete our online enquiry form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you hold security clearance to work on MoD sites?
Our engineers are experienced in undergoing the necessary vetting and site induction processes required to access secure defence establishments, and we can discuss specific clearance requirements for individual projects on request.
Can you support both new-build and refurbishment projects on defence sites?
Yes. We provide structural and civil engineering support for new-build infrastructure as well as refurbishment, upgrade and remedial works to existing buildings and structures across the defence estate.
Do you work directly for the MoD or alongside principal contractors?
We typically work as part of a wider project team, supporting principal contractors, specialist subcontractors and equipment suppliers delivering works on RAF and MoD sites throughout the UK.
What types of structures have you provided engineering support for on defence sites?
Our defence sector experience spans hangars and maintenance facilities, communications and antenna support structures, hardstanding and pavement design, security infrastructure, and structural assessment of existing defence estate buildings.
Can confidentiality be maintained throughout a project?
Yes. We understand the sensitivity surrounding defence infrastructure and maintain strict confidentiality and discretion throughout every stage of our involvement. Our directors have signed the Official Secrets Act.
Are your engineers Chartered?
Every project we undertake is designed or overseen by a Chartered Structural or Civil Engineer, ensuring defence sector work benefits from the highest level of technical oversight.