FSB was selected to design a new C-130J flight simulator facility and subsequently provide design services for an upgrade and renovation of the same facility to accommodate the evolving requirements of the latest simulator technology. The original project included a C-130J motion bay, computer room, EMM room, and associated administrative, training, and support areas. The facility was designed to support advanced simulator operations while providing secure training and briefing spaces in accordance with DCID 6/9 Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) requirements.
The design incorporated the latest UFC 4-010-01 Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) criteria for an inhabited facility within a controlled perimeter. Based on the project’s security and structural requirements, FSB recommended reinforced masonry load-bearing construction to meet performance, durability, and security needs. The SCIF portion of the facility included the simulator training room and classified training operations areas. All partitions were designed to extend to the structural deck and provide required acoustic separation, and BMS intrusion detection systems were incorporated at all access points to ensure compliance with DCID 6/9 standards.
Siting the facility was one of the earliest and most complex challenges. The user’s preferred locations were within a floodplain, in areas with congested underground utilities and poor soil conditions. FSB conducted a comprehensive analysis of site risks and costs and produced a detailed map identifying floodplain boundaries, utility corridors, and approximate soil conditions. Using this analysis, the team identified an alternate location that minimized construction risks and costs while maintaining operational requirements. However, this area had previously been reserved for another planned facility. To resolve the conflict, FSB developed a revised installation master plan demonstrating how both facilities could coexist within the same portion of the base while also improving the installation’s visual approach by screening less desirable buildings from the main entry vantage point.
Another major challenge involved coordinating with the simulator equipment manufacturer while the simulator system itself was still under development. The complexity of the project required continuous collaboration and adaptability as design criteria evolved. FSB’s experienced project management team diligently tracked multiple rounds of manufacturer updates, addressed delays in receiving design information, and ensured the design team remained aligned with the latest system requirements. This close coordination was critical to successfully integrating the highly specialized simulator equipment into the facility.
During the course of the project, the available budget was reduced, requiring additional effort to maintain all critical user requirements. FSB worked closely with the client to refine design solutions and prioritize project elements so that operational needs and performance requirements could still be achieved within the revised budget.
Overall, the project’s complexity was high due to the integration of advanced simulator technology, stringent security requirements, AT/FP design criteria, and the need for continuous coordination with the simulator manufacturer. Through proactive planning, technical expertise, and collaborative problem solving, FSB successfully delivered a design that met mission requirements while minimizing site risks, controlling costs, and supporting the long-term operational needs of the C-130J training program.