Construct Air Traffic Control Tower, Air Force Plant 42

Air Force Test Center, Air Force Plant 42
Palmdale, CA

Stronghold Engineering Inc. was awarded the contract to build a new Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at the US Air Force Plant 42. Located in Palmdale (CA), Plant 42 is operated as a component of Edwards Air Force Base and is primarily used as an aircraft manufacturing & test plant. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are just a few private enterprises that operate out of this US Air Force Plant 42, utilizing an arrangement known as “GOCO” or Government Owned Contractor Operated. Operators within the Plant produce and test some of the most advanced aircraft in the world and all jointly share the runway complex.

To keep up with the most current technology and better manage the flow of aircraft traffic within the plant, the US Army Corps of Engineers enlisted Stronghold to construct a new, 160’ Air Traffic Control Tower. This new tower will replace the older existing tower at the plant. The structure has twelve base stories, with the main Cab Pedestal on the 13th floor and a smaller Cab center on the top 14th floor. The structure measures approximately 37’ X 37’ and features a drilled shaft foundation (Caisson) and an advanced buckling-restrained brace frame that helps minimize potential damage from seismic activity.

Additional features include slat-wall control consoles, advanced access controls, complete plumbing, fire detection/protection, UPS (uninterruptible power supply) system, HVAC, and an elevator for ease of use. Stronghold was also tasked with constructing surrounding infrastructure, including a supporting mechanical building, parking lots, driveways, walkways, and fencing.

Construction is almost complete and is expected to be finished by the 4th quarter of 2022. Stronghold is happy to play a small part in helping to keep our nation safe and strong!