Picatinny, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and contractor Benard Associates representatives break through a wall to officially begin construction of ARDEC's new fuze engineering complex. The five-building complex is scheduled to open in October 2011. (Photo credit: Todd Mozes)

During a ceremony November 13 at the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., officials kicked off the first of six renovation and construction projects that will collectively create Picatinny's Fuze Engineering Complex.

Construction of this multi-building complex will bring the entire ARDEC Fuze Division to Picatinny as part of the 2005 Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) recommendation to establish a joint center of excellence for guns, weapons and ammunition research, said Vicki Naujokas, Picatinny BRAC Project Manager. Forty-five of ARDEC's more than 100 Fuze Division employees are stationed in Adelphi, Md., where they work on fuze science and technology efforts. These positions will relocate to Picatinny as a part of the 2005 BRAC decision, Naujokas said.

The Fuze Division is responsible for the entire life cycle of fuzes, including safing and arming devices, and setters for fuzes in a wide variety of munitions.

The complex will be located in various buildings throughout Picatinny, but collectively these buildings will create a state-of-the-art fuze compound that will increase ARDEC's ability to provide service members with the most advanced weapons technology in the world, said Dr. Joseph A. Lannon, director of ARDEC.

Lannon and Brig. Gen. Jonathan A. Maddux, Picatinny Commanding General, were the featured speakers during the groundbreaking ceremony for building 6, the first building to be renovated for the project. According to Maddux, "Today's groundbreaking... is an important part of our installation's future as it transforms (Picatinny) from the largely Army research, development and acquisition facility it was during the last 30 years to a joint center for excellence for guns and ammunition that the 2005 BRAC commission envisioned."

"Once viewed by some as a candidate for relocation and closure, Picatinny's immediate future appears bright," he continued. "The importance of our mission in support of our nation's warfighters is recognized at the highest levels of government, judging by the new construction we are experiencing."

Lannon said the groundbreaking was significant because it represents an awareness at Picatinny, and in the Department of Defense, of how crucial it is for ARDEC to continue to evolve and enhance its research capabilities if it is going to remain relevant for our nation's warfighters.

While building six will be renovated to include the administrative office space and a fuze laboratory, other complex developments will include:

• Construction of a fuze explosive research building
• Construction of a fuze electromagnetic research building
• Renovation of the anechoic chamber in building 407
• Construction of two ammunition storage bunkers to support the increased fuze mission.

Once completed, the $18 million Fuze Engineering Complex will centralize fuze engineering expertise and facilities, ensuring ARDEC's continued leadership in fuze technology and the development and production support of a wide range of munitions for joint-service warfighters, Naujokas said.

The new facility is expected to open in the fall of 2011, she said. This was Picatinny's second recent groundbreaking event. Officials also broke ground on a new naval packaging, handling, shipping and transportation facility on November 9.