A new center dedicated to monitoring nuclear activity around the world is now open in Brevard County.
The U.S. Air Force hopes the new facility will help them detect ever evolving global threats.
The Air Force will have more room -- an additional 60,000 square feet -- for tests and monitoring, now that their new Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) is complete.
“It’s going to be a lot more data processing and a lot more contribution to the national and international mission,” said AFTAC Project Manager Jeff Barrows.
The $158 million facility took nearly two years to build at Patrick Air Force Base.
At AFTAC, sensors underground, underwater, in the atmosphere and space are monitored to detect nuclear activity.
The new center replaces the decade old facility that can be seen from A1A. Demolition is scheduled to begin in about six months.
Nationally and internationally, people know the new center will be key to keeping up with evolving threats.
“Those who are trying to hide tests or try and develop new means to do the tests in a way where we can’t detect it, so it’s always good to keep up the pace with the latest technology,” said Dr. Lassina Zerobo, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Office in Vienna.
The 1,000 employees at AFTAC will be moving into their new facility over the next six months, as they continue their mission to keep the U.S. and world safe.