P-680 GOAT building provides the U.S. Marines’ primary training facility for its CH-53K helicopter.

Haskell completed the design-build, new construction of P-680, the 10,675 SF CH-53K Ground Operations Aircrew Trainer (GOAT) building at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Comprising a high-bay facility with ancillary support spaces, P-680 is the primary training facility for the new CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter airframe. A shallow foundation system over aggregate piers and a reinforced concrete slab-on-grade provide the building sub-structure, while reinforced concrete masonry unit (CMU) exterior walls and a standing seam metal roof provide the building enclosure.

The facility accommodates the simulator and other ancillary functions.

The high-bay facility supports the CH-53K Helicopter Pilot and Crew Chief Training Program by providing a covered, all-weather training environment for the GOAT aircraft, pallet storage and retrieval, and build-out packages associated with troop deployment and mobility. For live training simulations, the primary high-bay interior space accommodates the CH-53K aircraft trainer (helicopter simulator) and the pallet storage and retrieval area. This space is equipped with an overhead crane, compressed air drops, grounding points, clerestory panels and LED lighting. We also provided an Advanced Aircrew Training Device (AATD) room supporting two AATD devices for the training of Pilot and Crew Chief Cockpit procedures in an enclosed trainer space.

A collaborative effort allowed design and construction while the trainer was still being fabricated.

Only 2D plans and elevations of the CH-53K trainer were available for the design team as the helicopter simulator had yet to be fabricated during the contract. A custom-designed hydraulic controller was required for the simulator to permit functionality because the simulator would not have an engine to operate the systems. The simulator itself was to be installed later. Haskell’s team worked meticulously with NAVFAC and the hydraulic manufacturer to meet the RFP criteria for the hydraulic components. All elements had to be considered from what kind of hydraulic oil was used to custom fitting requirements. The manufacturer customized the equipment to ensure NAVFAC’s requirements were feasible since much of the equipment did not exist in a form that met NAVFAC’s criteria. Haskell successfully partnered with the manufacturer to meet NAVFAC’s complex needs.