U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian G. Reynolds/Released.
From Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Public Affairs
Jacksonville, Florida (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded last month a $49.8 million contract to Walsh Federal LLC to build a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) logistics facility at Naval Station (NS) Mayport, Florida.
As NS Mayport is going to receive 14 LCSs to the base, construction of an improved logistics facility is expected to support personnel and crew assigned to these ships. The facility will support the LCS program, which includes the LCS Operational Trainer Facility (LTF).
“The LTF is a vital tool for training our Sailors in simulated real-world situations they may encounter while underway,” said NS Mayport Executive Officer Cmdr. Patricia Tyler. “The new facilities allow teams to effectively train in a safe and controlled environment, providing immediate feedback and lessons learned to our Warfighters.”
The contract provides for construction of a new four-story building and renovations to an existing building. Together, the two buildings will house the ashore component of administrative functions for deployed and in-port LCSs, as well as a portion of the training component.
The project also includes adjacent road improvements that will connect the logistics facility directly to a new parking garage that is being designed and constructed under a separate contract.
The work started Oct.1 and expected to be completed by August 2021.
Initiated in February 2002, the LCS program represents a reduction in time to acquire, design and build ships in comparison to any previous ship class. LCS is a fast, agile and mission-focused platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. The LCS class consists of two variants: the Freedom and the Independence.
Currently, 33 LCSs are planned. So far, 16 ships have been delivered (LCS 1-14, 16 and 18), and 10 additional LCSs are under various stages of construction, as three are in the pre-construction phase.