Corsham Computer Centre
Encyclopedia
Corsham Computer Centre is an underground British Ministry of Defence (MoD)
installation in Corsham
, Wiltshire
, built in the 1980s. According to the MoD, the centre "processes data in support of the Royal Navy
". The centre has been similarly described by Des Browne
in 2007, then Secretary of State for Defence
, as a "data processing facility in support of Royal Navy operations".
In written evidence to the Defence Select Committee
, the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
have suggested that the centre supports the software maintenance of the United Kingdom nuclear deterrent
programme; Trident.
The facility was built in Hudswell Quarry, near Box Tunnel
part of the broader complex of tunnels and quarries in the Corsham area and adjacent to the former Central Ammunition Depot built prior to World War II
.
The site falls within a wider facilities management contract, the Bristol Bath Total Facilities Management project, which was awarded to Debut Services, a Special Purpose Vehicle
of Babcock Defence and Bovis Lend Lease, in September 2007 for a period of three years with the option to extend the contract for a further three years.
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
installation in Corsham
Corsham
Corsham is a historic market town and civil parish in north west Wiltshire, England. It is at the south western extreme of the Cotswolds, just off the A4 which was formerly the main turnpike road from London to Bristol, between Bath and Chippenham ....
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, built in the 1980s. According to the MoD, the centre "processes data in support of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
". The centre has been similarly described by Des Browne
Des Browne
Desmond Henry Browne, Baron Browne of Ladyton is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Kilmarnock and Loudoun from 1997 to 2010...
in 2007, then Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Defence
The Secretary of State for Defence, popularly known as the Defence Secretary, is the senior Government of the United Kingdom minister in charge of the Ministry of Defence, chairing the Defence Council. It is a Cabinet position...
, as a "data processing facility in support of Royal Navy operations".
In written evidence to the Defence Select Committee
Defence Select Committee
The Defence Select Committee is one of the Select Committees of the British House of Commons, having been established in 1979. It oversees the operations of the Ministry of Defence and its associated public bodies, including the armed forces.-Membership:...
, the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
The Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament is part of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament representing Scotland.-History:It was founded in 1958, when CND was founded, and was one of the centres of a CND revival in the 1970s....
have suggested that the centre supports the software maintenance of the United Kingdom nuclear deterrent
UK Trident programme
The UK Trident programme is the United Kingdom's Trident missile-based nuclear weapons programme. Under the programme, the Royal Navy operates 58 nuclear-armed Trident II D-5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles and around 200 nuclear warheads on 4 Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines from...
programme; Trident.
The facility was built in Hudswell Quarry, near Box Tunnel
Box Tunnel
Box Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Western England, between Bath and Chippenham, dug through Box Hill, and is one of the most significant structures on the Great Western Main Line...
part of the broader complex of tunnels and quarries in the Corsham area and adjacent to the former Central Ammunition Depot built prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The site falls within a wider facilities management contract, the Bristol Bath Total Facilities Management project, which was awarded to Debut Services, a Special Purpose Vehicle
Special purpose entity
A special purpose entity is a legal entity created to fulfill narrow, specific or temporary objectives...
of Babcock Defence and Bovis Lend Lease, in September 2007 for a period of three years with the option to extend the contract for a further three years.
External links
- Secret NATO Command Bunker, Phil Chamberlain, Indymedia, 2003-11-11 - Includes photograph of Corsham Computer Centre entrance