TLF provided engineering services for a facility to test a vertical lift fan developed for use in a new military fighter jet. The lift fan provides the jet with maneuvering capabilities similar to a helicopter. TLF was presented an award by the American Concrete Institute for outstanding achievement in concrete for the design of the project.

In addition to the challenges posed by the tremendous thrust force created by the fan; noise suppression was critical due to the neighboring residential areas. The pressure created by the fan on the interior walls, floors and ceilings exceeds 150 pounds per square foot. The facility houses the lift fan, gearbox and 40,000 horsepower motor; amounting to over 300,000 pounds of equipment that had to be supported independently from the facility due to the high levels of vibration. A 10-ton bridge crane was designed over the platform to install the fans for testing.

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