Integrate U.S. and host nation standards
CDM Smith integrated UFC and UFGS requirements with Saudi Arabian utility and infrastructure standards, ensuring operational compatibility across the base.
Client
US Department of War
Location
Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Practices
Markets
Delivering mission-ready aviation infrastructure for F-15 modernization
The F-15 fleet modernization program required extensive new facilities, rehabilitated aviation infrastructure and hardened utilities to support advanced aircraft operations at King Faisal Air Base. Awarded through an FMS contract, the program had to meet U.S. Department of War standards while aligning with host-nation requirements—all constructed on an active airfield. CDM Smith served as design-build prime and designer of record, executing 100 percent of the work while coordinating closely with U.S. and Royal Saudi Air Force stakeholders.
Construct hardened, resilient utilities
The team designed blast-resistant water, fire protection and power systems using buried precast structures to maintain operations under extreme conditions.
Deliver mission-ready aviation facilities
We developed pre-engineered metal buildings for maintenance and mission support, including a 2,250 m² fuel system hangar with explosion-proof design, foam fire protection and upgraded airfield pavements.
Maintain safe operations on an active airfield
This project entailed coordination with air traffic control, multilingual safety programs and strict FOD controls that enabled uninterrupted base operations during construction.
Deliverables included a squadron operations facility, high-bay mission simulator facility, aircraft maintenance hangar, fuel system maintenance hangar, aerospace ground equipment maintenance shop, weapons release and gun system shop, avionics pod facility, corrosion control facility, a 6,200‑square‑yard aircraft parking apron with sunshades, compass calibration pad and 6,000 ft taxiway, along with supporting utilities, access roads and parking lots.
Completed at a final cost of $83.9 million, the program delivered more than 140,000 square feet of new and renovated facilities, extensive airfield pavements and over 3.5 miles of critical underground utilities. Despite logistical challenges, evolving communications requirements, and extreme climate conditions, the team completed more than 2 million work hours without a lost-time incident. In its final performance review, the U.S. Air Force rated CDM Smith “exceptional” for regulatory compliance and noted the team was “well ahead of the curve in construction knowledge” and highly effective in problem solving and coordination with both U.S. and Saudi partners.
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Client
US Department of War
Location
Tabuk, Saudi Arabia