Funds Released for Pax Aircraft Prototype Facility
The US Navy awarded $44.2 million this week to the John Grimberg Company to begin construction of the second phase of the Aircraft Prototype Facility at Pax River Naval Air Station.
Delegate John Bohanan, MD-29B
“This is great news for us,” said Delegate John Bohanan, senior adviser to Congressman Steny Hoyer as well as the Maryland Delegate representing the Pax River vicinity. “This represents a significant future business base opportunity for us at Pax.”
The Aircraft Prototype Facility expands and enhances the Navy’s Pax River assemblage of critical, unique facilities for defense, innovation, and aircraft engineering. The first phase opened in 2010. Phase II adds a large hangar for prototyping and quick conversions for very large aircraft. Plans for Phase III include more labs.
At the ribbon cutting for the first phase, as commander of the Naval Air Systems Command VADM David Architzel said, “The name is a bit misleading because this facility will be home to far more than just aircraft — it represents the future of rapid design and prototyping for many different systems.”
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer
The APF was conceived in 1996. Funding sources began to coalesce in 2007 and Congressman Hoyer announced its inclusion in the FY08 budget.
Recognized initially as a good idea, the facility is now a great idea, says Del. Bohanan. Dwindling funds for traditional acquisition approaches coupled with a growing emphasis on bringing Lead Systems Integration responsibility back into government hands heightens the focus on Prototyping.
Prototyping is viewed today as an instrument of Concept Exploration as well as Acquisition Alternatives, Competition Advocacy and direct Fleet Support. So while Phase II of the APF will continue to support ongoing projects, it is also expected to increase opportunities at Pax. NAWCAD current Prototyping work-base at Pax River represents about 20 percent of the annual business.
The growing interest in Prototyping is also anticipated to grow demand in a new dimension and across all levels of classifications and programs making the Patuxent River Complex even more valuable to the taxpayers.
“I was proud to be on hand in June 2010 for the dedication of Phase 1 of Pax River’s Aircraft Prototype Facility,” said Congressman Hoyer upon release of the news that construction of Phase II will move forward.
The APF became the only facility of its kind in the US. It provides research, development, test, and evaluation to modify aircraft for survivability, sensors, electronic warfare, weapons, and low observable systems and subsystems.
“Pax River is already one of the world’s premier centers for research, development, testing, and evaluation of aircraft,” Mr. Hoyer said. The move forward with Phase II “will ensure that [Pax River] can continue to play a leading role in the development and prototyping of new aircraft and weapons systems – and support good jobs and business opportunities in communities throughout the area.”
Prototyping provides the highest order of intellectual challenges to the workforce: Solving problems, explained Joe Hoeg, a NAWCAD senior science advisor recognized as the visionary and propellant for the project.
Participants in the 2009 groundbreaking noted the increased relevance of the APF project in the wake of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 which directs government to assume the role of Lead Systems Integrator for future acquisition programs.
The shift back to a government lead represents a significant shift. It is a positive shift for Pax River, according to both the Rep. Hoyer and Del. Bohanan. It will increase the influence of the intellectual capital gathered at NAS:Pax and further spotlight its superb facilities. And it will save taxpayers dollars.
PAX has a rich history in Prototyping that goes back over three decades and which has resulted in dramatic savings in lives and dollars. Developing prototype equipment, systems and platform modifications will build the Navy’s background as a systems integrator, according to Mr. Hoeg, and will return substantial dividends to the taxpayers.
“Over the years, I have been honored to work with officials both on and off the base to ensure that Congress and the Defense Department fully understand Pax River’s critical role in our national defense. I look forward to continuing to partner together to ensure strong support as it continues to expand its mission and the growth of innovation and technology entrepreneurship in Southern Maryland,” said Congressman Hoyer.
