Laboratory Information:
Fleet Readiness Center East - Vertical Lift Center of Excellence
PSC Box 8021
Cherry Point, NC 28533-8021
Website: www.navair.navy.mil/frce/
Technology Transfer Website: www.navair.navy.mil/FRCE/VLCOE/www/index.html
Agency/Department: Dept. of Defense - Navy
Region: Southeast
Background/History of the Laboratory:
Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) East, one of the six Fleet
readiness centers operated by the U.S. Navy, has been in
operation since the 1940s, supporting the long-term
sustainment of vertical lift aircraft by performing
maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) functions on
airframes, engines, and components. In addition to MRO
functions, we also provide engineering and logistics support
to many Navy/Marine Corps platforms.
FRC East has grown to become eastern North Carolina’s
largest industrial employer, with about 4,000 civilian,
military and contractor personnel working in a wide variety
of skilled technical and professional positions. Customers
include 202 different Navy and Marine Corps activities, 18
foreign nations, 5 U.S. Air Force activities, and 3 U.S. Army
activities. As a service provider specializing in support of
Marine Corps aircraft, engines and components, FRC East is
the only source of repair within the continental U.S. for
many jet and rotary wing engines, as well as turbofan
vectored thrust engines.
In 2005, we were established by Congress as the Vertical Lift
Center of Excellence (VLCOE) to advance the state of DOD
vertical lift MRO technologies through research, education
and training, and technology transfer. In 2010, we were
designated as a federal lab.
We are located on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,
N.C., and our facilities are spread over more than 100
buildings and structures, on a footprint of approximately 150
acres. Our physical location offers several advantages: no
encroachment problems, area available for expansion, no
restrictions on aircraft or engine testing, adjacent to the
2nd Marine Air Wing, allowing in-house training.
In addition, our proximity to the Fleet helps us to stay in
close contact with the customer.
Mission of the Laboratory:
The VLCOE at FRC East sets the standard for long-term
sustainment, repair excellence, cost-effectiveness, and
quality for all vertical lift aircraft in the DOD.
Our mission is to advance vertical lift MRO technologies
throughout the DOD by:
-
Establishing a model facility with advanced production,
engineering, logistics, environmental, energy, and
sustainable installation technologies to provide our
country with the best vertical lift assets at the best
cost
-
Developing and maintaining a highly skilled workforce by
continuing artisan and professional education and
training in partnership with others, including
degree-granting institutions.
Develop Infrastructure Technology in partnership with
specialist organizations to improve advanced maintenance
practices.
Facilities:
-
CNC Manufacturing
-
Metallurgical Laboratory
-
Polymer/Composites Laboratory
-
Advanced Wet Chemistry Laboratory
-
Non Destructive Inspections
-
Precision Measurement Center
-
Whirl Tower
-
Automated Robotic Blade Stripping System
-
Cold Spray Booths
Technology Transfer Mechanisms:
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
- Education Partnership Act (EPA)
Technology Areas of Expertise:
- Nondestructive Inspection
- Advance Composite Repair Technologies
- Agile Manufacturing Technology
- Cold Spray Metallic Processing
- Corrosion
- Low Rate Manufacturing (LRM) Requirements
- Reverse Engineering
- Workplace Chromium Mitigation Technologies
- Additive Manufacturing
