The US Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS) mission module readiness center is nearing completion with construction works set for a March 2018 finish.
Once completed, the 44,200 square-foot facility will become the US Navy’s East Coast hub for mission module maintenance and sustainment in support of LCS.
Similar to the Mission Package Support Facility (MPSF) located in Port Hueneme, Calif., the building will serve as the center for testing, configuring, and maintaining mission modules. The MMRC will also prepare for and conduct embarkation and debarkation of mission packages.
“Being at an LCS homeport location, we support many different aspects of the LCS Mission Module Sustainment Program,” said Laura Lazaro, Mayport MMRC site lead. “This building will be considered a detachment of the MPSF. It is larger than most MMRCs due to its East Coast hub status.”
The new building is one of several currently under construction throughout the world to support LCS mission package sustainment, including one in Singapore and another in Bahrain. All three will join the ranks of the first MMRC built in San Diego, Calif..
Currently, the Mayport team is working in a temporary facility where they are able to work on one mission package at a time. According to Lazaro, the space is somewhat small, but is serving its purpose in support of the initial stages of the Mayport LCS program.
“We knew we needed the capability of a temporary MMRC with the LCS-5 and LCS-7 coming to the East Coast,” she said. “We are making do with the current facility, but the new one will meet our requirements. We are looking forward to its completion.”