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King Salman Air Force Base: Delivering Fast-Track Aviation Infrastructure
The King Salman Air Force Base – Central Sector project reinforced Saudi Arabia’s defense infrastructure through the development of medical evacuation (MVAC) facilities and the Salboukh site. Commissioned by Al Bawani & SAJCO, the program included extensive aviation facilities such as connecting taxiways, aprons, hangar access points, 12 aircraft shelters, and three maintenance hangars. Supporting works covered infrastructure, geotechnical and hydrological studies, landscape design, and building facilities.
Delivered under a fast-track Design & Build framework, the project required seamless integration between design, engineering, and construction to maintain both speed and technical precision. K&A served as main consultant, leading the master plan and design for the 1.5 million m² site.
Meeting the Pressures of Fast-Track Delivery
The project faced significant constraints from the outset. Contractors sought to begin excavation and foundation works during the concept stage, necessitating design packages ahead of conventional timelines. Continuous coordination between site and design teams was essential, while the multidisciplinary nature of the works demanded rapid decision-making and stakeholder alignment. The compressed schedule also required staff availability beyond standard working hours to respond to contractor demands.
A Collaborative and Structured Approach
K&A implemented a structured approach to balance speed with quality. Daily meetings aligned design progress with construction activities, while multiple package managers accelerated deliverables and maintained oversight. Quality assurance processes allowed enabling works to proceed even before shop drawings were finalized, minimizing delays. Experienced D&B leaders ensured technical compliance, while early multidisciplinary coordination enabled timely submission of substructure packages.
Advancing Complex Aviation Works on Schedule
The King Salman Air Force Base project was successfully delivered within the demanding framework of a fast-track program. Prioritized design submissions kept site activity uninterrupted, and efficient contractor coordination ensured construction progress aligned with evolving design stages.
The project produced a comprehensive multidisciplinary knowledge base, from design criteria and calculations to drawings and approvals, strengthening future D&B delivery models. It also enhanced K&A’s expertise in managing scope adherence, RFP compliance, and contractor expectations under tight timelines.
The outcome is a fully coordinated and technically robust aviation facility that reinforces Saudi Arabia’s defense infrastructure and demonstrates the effectiveness of design-led collaboration in fast-track environments.
