New Hay Building opens at RAF Cranwell to train UK Mission Aircrew
Published 12 November 2026
A new building was unveiled at Royal Air Force (RAF) Cranwell on 11 November 2026, delivering and modernising state of the art training for the UK’s Mission Aircrew. RAF Cranwell has a long and illustrious history of training aviators, opening the world’s first air academy on the site in 1920.
The new operational support base, delivered by Air Enablers, National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, in partnership with Ascent Flight Training, will facilitate the Future Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Rear Crew Training System (FIRCTS).
FIRCTS is designed to ensure the UK continues to generate highly skilled mission aircrew capable of supporting some of the nation's most critical defence capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and remotely piloted air systems.
This is a step change in training for the United Kingdom Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS), delivering a four-fold increase in critically important Mission Aircrew trainees to 140 per year for the Royal Navy and RAF to meet increased UK and NATO ISTAR pilot and sensor operator demand.
In recognition of our shared heritage, and the finest traditions of the service, the RAF has named this new facility the ‘Hay Building’ after Air Commodore Nicholas Hay CBE MA. As a former ISTAR Force Commander, Air Commodore Hay was a passionate advocate for the development of mission aircrew training. The Hay building is a fitting testament to his leadership and an inspiration to the next generation of ISTAR aircrew.
The Hay Building represents a key step in modernising our training capability at RAF Cranwell and demonstrates the long-term partnership between the Ministry of Defence, Ascent and industry partners, to strengthen UK defence readiness. Purpose-built for training delivery, the facility is designed to support modern, technology-enabled learning while providing a lasting infrastructure legacy for defence.
The Hay family grouped with representatives from Air Capability, Air Enablers and 22 Gp Directorate of Flying Training responsible for delivery of the Hay building as well as representatives from 3FTS, RAF Cranwell and Ascent that will provide Mission Aircrew Training in the Hay Building from Summer 2027.
Cdre Steve Jose, Head of Air Enablers, said:
“This ambitious programme provides a major increase in mission crew training in response to the RAF and Royal Navy’s evolving aircraft for current and future operations. The Hay Building has been delivered ahead of schedule and is a credit to the outstanding collaborative work from the team and Ascent Flight Training, Babcock and Kier employees. This will provide a world class training facility for our students.”
Air Cdre James Radley, Head of Flying Training, said:
“It is fantastic to see the progress being made at both RNAS Culdrose and RAF Cranwell with the FIRCTS programme. Opening only a year after contract signature, the Hay Building at RAF Cranwell will play a vital role in training the next generation of aircrew. It stands as a testament to the late Air Commodore Nick Hay, a former ISTAR Force Commander, who did so much to passionately champion mission aircrew training.”
Chloe Barker, Ascent Managing Director, said:
"The opening of the Hay Building is a significant milestone in the delivery of FIRCTS and demonstrates the pace and commitment with which this programme is being brought to life. Working in partnership with defence and industry partners, Ascent is delivering a modern, technology-enabled training system that will prepare Mission Aircrew for the demands of increasingly complex and data-rich operational environments.”
"FIRCTS represents far more than new infrastructure. It will provide the RAF and Royal Navy with a world-class training capability that combines advanced synthetic environments, innovative courseware and live training to develop highly skilled Mission Aircrew ready for the frontline. The Hay Building is a visible symbol of that investment and of our shared ambition to ensure the UK maintains a mission aircrew training capability that is fit for the future."
(left to right) Air Cdre James Radley - 22 Gp, Head of Flying Training; Mr Richard Curzon, Air Capability - Head of Future Flying Training; Miss Chloe Barker, Ascent- Managing Director; Cdre Steven Jose, Head of Air Enablers.
