P103 Engineering Test Facility

The D5LE2 X-Flight Program Modernization is part of the U.S. Navy’s broader effort to sustain and modernize the Trident II D5 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile program, which is the sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. The modernization is being led by the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) organization and supports both the U.S. Columbia-class SSBN and the UK’s Dreadnought-class SSBN programs.

To support the D5LE2 X-Flight Program Modernization, RS&H, as lead partner in a Joint Venture, completed full design of a research, development, test and execution facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base along the tropical salt-water coastal environment. The 27-acre site design included wet ponds, concrete and asphalt pavements for staging areas and parking, and a building services equipment yard.

The 130,000-square-foot facility provides for prototyping, development, testing, evaluation and production of support equipment and flight hardware elements of the D5LE2 missile. The facility includes eight separate laboratories with high bays and six bridge cranes alongside administration and support spaces.

The design included resiliency requirements, such as raising the finish floor above existing grades. The team also led the extensive environmental considerations, coordination with 10+ stakeholder agencies, and mitigations were made to protect several endangered species at the project site.

Public Resources: 

• PowerPoint Presentation 
• PowerPoint Presentation 
• SAM.gov