Defense

BAE Systems is initiating a $45 million expansion of its facilities in Huntsville, Ala. Strategically sited to foster closer connections with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Defense, the 83,000-sf project will provide engineering development suites, laboratories, manufacturing space, and offices to support new programs and existing businesses, including the design, development, and manufacturing of precision munitions and aircraft survivability technologies.

Northeastern University broke ground in June of 2018 on a $60 million research facility in Burlington, Mass. Located on the Innovation Campus, the three-story, 104,000-sf facility will provide research labs, a meeting area for workshops, and a maker space with 3D printers and other prototyping technologies.

The University at Albany broke ground in April of 2018 on the $180 million Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex (ETEC) in Albany, N.Y. Designed by CannonDesign to foster collaboration with industry partners, the 245,000-sf facility will house UAlbany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity; the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences; the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center; and the New York State Mesonet, the nation’s most advanced weather-detection system.

Idaho National Laboratory and the Idaho State Board of Education broke ground in April of 2018 on two new research facilities in Idaho Falls. The 80,000-sf Cybercore Integration Center will provide advanced electronics labs where industry, government, and academic partners can engage in collaborative cybersecurity research. The 67,000-sf Collaborative Computing Center (C3) will feature a supercomputer for advanced simulation and modeling operations. The estimated construction cost of both facilities is $75 million.

Lockheed Martin broke ground in February of 2018 on a $50 million R&D facility in Orlando. The six-story, 225,000-sf building will accommodate research on autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, human-machine interaction, threat simulation, nuclear missiles, and classified weapons systems. Occupancy is expected in 2019. Lockheed Martin is based in Bethesda, Md.

The Hull McKnight Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center began construction in December of 2017 on a 165,000-sf technology incubator and workforce development facility in Augusta. Slated for completion in late 2018, the five-story project is supported by $35 million in state funding and represents the center's second phase of construction. A $60 million, 167,000-sf cybersecurity research facility is currently under construction at the site and completion is expected in July of 2018.

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center at Fort Detrick was awarded full funding by the U.S. House of Representatives in September of 2017. Although the Department of Homeland Security had previously intended to close the facility, the recent appropriations bill has restored the laboratory’s entire $60 million budget, enabling the 160,000-sf center to continue its research on infectious diseases and pathogens. The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center provides BSL-4, BSL-3, and BSL-2 laboratories.

The University of New Mexico opened the $35 million Lobo Rainforest building in August of 2017 in Albuquerque. Designed by Dekker/Perich/Sabatini as a living laboratory for entrepreneurial education, the six-story, 160,000-sf facility offers accommodation for 300 students, classrooms, collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, videoconferencing suites, and business incubators. Representing the first phase of the Innovate ABQ research district, the building will accommodate programs for the UNM Innovation Academy, as well as

Merrick & Company will support the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate in the development of operational planning, IT infrastructure, biorepository transfer, and acquisition of future contracts for stand-up and operation of the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) now under construction in Manhattan, Kansas.

The University of Kansas is engaged in a $4 million renovation project to create the National Security Laboratory in Lawrence. Sited on the basement level of the Bioscience and Technology Business Center on the West Campus, the 7,000-sf facility will support collaborative research with the Department of Defense and other government agencies on radar, remote sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles, signal processing, and sensors. The secure laboratory will accommodate up to 40 employees and is expected to open in spring of 2018. 

The State of Idaho will begin construction in mid-2017 on two new research facilities at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls. The 80,000-sf Cybercore Integration Center will accommodate cybersecurity research, development, and education. The 67,000-sf Collaborative Computing Center will house a supercomputer for advanced simulation and modeling operations. The estimated construction cost of both facilities is $75 million. The new centers will be owned by the state of Idaho and leased by INL, which is managed by Battelle.

The State of Georgia will break ground in spring of 2017 on the $100 million Hull McKnight Georgia Cyber Center for Innovation and Training in Augusta. Located next to Augusta University’s planned Riverfront Campus, the 332,000-sf facility will enable researchers from academia, industry, government, and the military to collaboratively develop innovative cybersecurity technologies.

NASA Glenn Research Center is planning to begin construction in summer of 2018 on the Research Support Building (RSB) on its Lewis Field campus. Designed by TEN Arquitectos to promote collaboration, the 75,000-sf facility will act as a new campus center, offering conference rooms, a cafeteria, and office space for 240 employees. Occupancy is expected in 2020.

The Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency has completed construction of the Forensic Identification Laboratory in Oahu, Hawaii. Designed by SmithGroupJJR, the three-story, 136,497-sf project will aid in the investigation, recovery, and accounting of Americans lost during the nation’s past conflicts.

The University of Rhode Island opened the $68 million Richard E. Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences in September of 2016. The four-story, 134,623-sf building provides 14 teaching labs, 18 faculty research labs, a 240-seat lecture hall, classrooms, offices, and the Teknor Apex Instrumentation Lab. The facility also houses the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center of Excellence for Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response.