The Chilbolton Observatory operates many pieces of research equipment associated with radar propagation and meteorology.

As of 2007[update], these include:[1] The observatory also hosts the UK's LOFAR station.

The site at Chilbolton, on the edge of Salisbury Plain, was chosen in part because of excellent visibility of the horizon and its relative remoteness from major roads whose cars could cause interference.

Within several months of being commissioned the azimuth bearing of the antenna suffered a catastrophic failure.

GEC were contracted to repair the bearing and devised a system to replace the failed part while leaving the 400 tonne dish ostensibly in-place.