Ultrafast electron diffraction using MeV energy beams (MeV-UED) has enabled unprecedented scientific opportunities in the study of ultrafast structural dynamics in a variety of gas, liquid and solid-state systems. The SLAC MeV-UED program began in 2014 and became an LCLS user facility in 2019. This work will review recent R&D efforts for enhancing the resolution, flux and electron detection of the MeV-UED instrument. Additionally, the integration of Al/ML techniques is being explored to optimize facility operations and accelerate scientific discovery. In all, these will open new avenues for explorations in key areas of ultrafast science.