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NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Awards Contract for Marine Helicopter Facility

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120323-17
3/23/2012

By Tom Kreidel, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic's North Carolina Integrated Product Team (IPT) awarded an $11.5 million contract to Walbridge Aldiner Company of Detroit for construction of a helicopter gearbox repair and test facility at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. March 15.

According to Ab Labidi, who has served as program manager for this project from inception to the awarding of the contract, this facility was designed by one of the North Carolina IPT's architects.

"It really speaks to the talented staff we have here that this unique project was able to be designed in-house," said Labidi.

Beth Brand who designed the project, explained that this project presented special challenges, because of the type of work that occurs there. Helicopter parts and systems are cleaned, repaired, broken down and rebuilt at the facility, then tested in special "test cells" prior to being installed back on the helicopter.

"The test cells are designed to accommodate the helicopter rotor gearboxes being tested at full power," Brand said. "We had to take vibration and special loading conditions into account when we designed these cells, with the help of an outside design consultant."

The building's overall design revolves around a drive path through the building where a mule train carries the helicopter parts from one portion of the building to another. This requires specially designed doors and door hardware, along with high ceilings to move engine parts around efficiently.

Brand added that there are several advantages to in-house designs, particularly for such a specialized project. She said it is more economical, thanks in part to having more direct communications with the design team all under one roof and a faster turn-around time on design submissions.

"Being part of NAVFAC, we are well versed in what the command is looking for in regards to standards and design preferences," she added.

Brand said that there are several "green" aspects to the building that will help make it energy efficient, including day lighting in several of the shops, solar hot water, rain water harvesting and photovoltaics on the roof designed to provide a substantial portion of the building's power, particularly when the building does not have active gearbox testing taking place.

"I really enjoyed working on this project, because with a unique project like this you're working in the problem solving mode most of the time," Brand said. "It really brings a lot of positive energy to the design process."