USS Rancocas

USS Rancocas is the former name of an engineering development facility at the border between Moorestown Township and Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey.[1][2] In May 2008, it was formally renamed the Vice Admiral James H. Doyle Jr. Combat System Engineering Development Site (CSEDS).[3]

It is located between Hartford Road and County Route 537 in Moorestown and looks like a warehouse with the superstructure of a planned, but never built naval strike cruiser sitting on the roof. The design of the superstructure was later incorporated into the design of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer. It is used by Lockheed Martin for Aegis research and development, and houses not only Navy and Lockheed Martin personnel, but personnel from numerous subcontractors, such as Mission Solutions Engineering and Northrop Grumman.

While not a commissioned ship in the United States Navy, it is a Navy-owned building, staffed by Navy personnel attached to Aegis Technical Representative (AEGIS TECHREP). Aegis Technical Representative is an Echelon 3 field activity under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).[4]

Because the facility is plainly visible from Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike, it has become something of a landmark for local residents and travelers. Area residents frequently refer to it as the "Cornfield Cruiser" or "Cruiser in a Cornfield."

An AN/SPY-1 antenna array damaged in the USS Cole bombing was later refurbished and installed in CSEDS.[5]

Naval Facilities Engineering Command is constructing a large extension to the original building that will be completed in early 2015.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Aerial Photo, Accessed August 22, 2009.
  2. ↑ USGS Maps, Used to determine municipal boundaries, Accessed August 22, 2009.
  3. ↑ NAVSEA page on AEGIS TECHREP, used to get date that the building was renamed, Accessed December 21, 2014
  4. ↑ Navy Shore Activities and Detachments used to determine relationship of Navy commend, Accessed December 21, 2014
  5. ↑ USS Cole Antenna Refurbished for Fleet Support, Accessed December 21, 2014
  6. ↑ Construction Project P-237 Addition to Combat System Engineering Development Site (CSEDS) Building at Moorestown, NJ, Accessed December 21, 2014

External links

Coordinates: 39°58′49.2″N 74°54′04.4″W / 39.980333°N 74.901222°W / 39.980333; -74.901222

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