<strong>PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J.</strong> - During a ceremony here Nov. 13, Picatinny officials kicked-off the first of six renovation and construction projects what will collectively create Picatinny's Fuze Engineering Complex.
The construction of this multi-building complex will bring the entire Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center Fuze Division to Picatinny as part of the 2005 Base Relocation and Closure recommendation to establish a joint center of excellence for guns, weapons and ammunition research, said Vicki Naujokas, Picatinny BRAC Project Manager.
Forty-five of ARDEC's more than 100 Fuze Division employees are stationed in Adelphi, Md., where they work on fuze science and technology efforts. These positions will relocate to Picatinny as a part of the 2005 BRAC decision, said Naujokas.
The Fuze Division is responsible for the entire life cycle of fuzes, including safing and arming devices and setters for fuzes in a wide variety of munitions, she said.
The complex will be located in various buildings throughout Picatinny, but collectively, these buildings will create a state-of-the-art fuze compound that will increase ARDEC's ability to provide service members with the most advanced weapons technology in the world, said Dr. Joseph A. Lannon, director of the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center.
Lannon and Brig. Gen. Jonathan A. Maddux, Picatinny Commanding General, were the featured speakers during the ground-breaking ceremony of building 6, the first building to be renovated for the project.
"Today's groundbreaking... is an important part of our installation's future as it transforms (Picatinny) from the largely Army research, development and acquisition facility it was during the last thirty years to a joint center for excellence for guns and ammunition that the 2005 BRAC commission envisioned," said Maddux.
"Once viewed by some as a candidate for relocation and closure, Picatinny's immediate future appears bright," Maddux continued. "The importance of our mission in support of our nation's warfighters is recognized at the highest levels of government, judging by the new construction we are experiencing."
Lannon said the ground-breaking was significant because it represents an awareness here at Picatinny, and in the Department of Defense, of how crucial it is for ARDEC to continue to evolve and enhance its research capabilities if it is going to remain relevant for our nation's warfighters.
While building six will be renovated to include the administrative office space and a fuze laboratory, other complex developments will include:
-Construction of a Fuze Explosive Research building
-Construction of a Fuze Electromagnetic Research building
-Renovation of the Anechoic Chamber in building 407
-Construction of two ammunition storage bunkers to support the increased fuze mission
Once completed, the $18 million Fuze Engineering Complex will centralize fuze engineering expertise and facilities, ensuring ARDEC's continued leadership in fuze technology and the development and production support of a wide range of munitions for joint-service warfighters, Naujokas said.
The new facility is expected to begin occupation in fall of 2011, she said.
This was Picatinny's second recent ground-breaking event. Officials also broke ground on a new naval packaging, handling, shipping and transportation facility Nov. 9.
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