Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $117.7 million contract Aug. 20 to construct a new engine test cell facility at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, directly strengthening the installation’s ability to sustain Navy aviation readiness. This critical infrastructure upgrade will expand NAS Jacksonville’s capability to support testing for the cornerstone of modern naval lethality — fifth-generation fighters — as well as legacy jet engines still in use by the U.S. Navy.
"The P620 Engine Test Cell project represents a pinnacle of technical complexity, transforming a legacy facility into a highly advanced testing hub,” said Denver Gray, NAVFAC construction manager at Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) Jacksonville. “This modern test cell ensures our aviation maintainers have the cutting-edge infrastructure required to deliver unmatched engine reliability, keeping our fleet ready and lethal to meet any global threat."
The firm-fixed-price contract was awarded to Red Eagle 3 JV, of Coweta, Okla., and construction is scheduled to be completed in November 2028. Project work includes selective demolition, renovation of the existing facility, construction of building additions, installation and testing of specialized test cell equipment, and site work. The project also features specialized acoustic attenuation, multiple crane hoists on a customized rail system, and robust network infrastructure installation.
“The Engine Test Cell project represents a major step forward in the growth and sustained workload for FRCSE for decades to come,” said Capt. Mike Windom, commanding officer of FRCSE. “This critical investment ensures that FRCSE remains at the forefront of naval aviation readiness for future generations.
It underscores the strategic importance of our mission and the invaluable contributions we make to national defense.”
Ultimately, the transformed facility will serve as a cornerstone of naval aviation support, directly ensuring that tomorrow’s aircrews fly with the absolute highest standards of engine reliability.
About Fleet Readiness Center Southeast
Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) is Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia's largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, employing approximately 5,000 civilian, military and contract workers. With annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, the organization serves as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, and Commander Fleet Readiness Centers by maintaining the combat airpower for America's military forces.
About Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, provides planning, design, construction, contracting, environmental services, real estate and facility maintenance for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Space Force, and other federal agencies across the Southeast. Its area of responsibility covers installations from Charleston, South Carolina, to Corpus Christi, Texas, and extends south to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.