BAE Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP)

Client: British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) Systems, Inc.

Location: Radford, VA, U.S.

Map showing the location of BAE Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP)

Executive Summary

Located in Radford, Virginia, the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) is operated by BAE Systems. RFAAP manufactures core propellants for the Department of Defense (DOD) as well as energetic ingredients. BAE Systems is engaged in updating the power, infrastructure and manufacturing facilities on the Radford complex.

Fluor is providing base capital improvement work for BAE for several key RFAAP upgrades. The program includes design/build of a package boiler, a cellulous cutter warehouse and multi-phased new Nitrocellulose Production facility on the installation.

The new gas-fired power plant replaces the decades-old coal-fired boilers and aged structures with more sustainable and energy efficient capabilities.

Client's Challenge

Situated on more than 7,000 acres in southwestern Virginia, the RFAAP was built in the 1940s to support the war effort. Today, RFAAP is operated by BAE Systems and is a propellant manufacturer for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

Radford uses a variety of ingredients to produce single-base and double-base propellants. Nitrocellulose (NC) is used to produce small-, medium- and large-caliber mortar, artillery and tank ammunition for the DOD.

Fluor's Solution

We are providing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services responsible for the design/build of several new structures on the existing site. The main process area of the new NC facility includes the following key buildings/areas, which are constructed adjacent to each other:

Package Boiler Facility - Fast-track project due to air permitting issues with existing coal powered facility
Cellulous Cutter Warehouse
Multi-phase new Nitrocellulose Manufacturing Facility

We executed the project as a firm fixed price, design/build contract. We coordinated concurrent design and construction actives by employing a mix of self-perform and subcontracts to complete the work.

Conclusion

BAE Systems is invested in capital upgrades and execution of DOD Modernization projects at RFAAP to ensure that the U.S. Military continues to have a reliable supply of materials to produce exceptional propellants for the Warfighter for the next several decades.