Acoustics facilities

Acoustic Communications Measurement System (ACOMMS)

Washington, DC

Acoustic Effect

Fort Rucker, AL

Combat aviation and ground environments are replete with acoustic hazards which can result in noise-induced hearing loss for exposed soldiers. USAARL acoustic experts make major contributions to the development of effective hearing protection systems. Our researchers explore prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, test new methods for detection of hearing loss in order to augment traditional, less sensitive hearing tests, and explore and develop techniques and methods to enhance speech intelligibility in noisy environments. As new Army systems are developed, our acoustics team evaluates associated hearing hazards.

Acoustic Research Detachment

West Bethesda, MD

The Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD), Bayview, Idaho, on Lake Pend Oreille, is used for research and design validation using quarter-scale models of methodologies to reduce acoustic signatures on ships. Lake Pend Oreille is a large, deep, and extremely quiet body of water, ideal for acoustic testing. ARD encompasses the Large Scale Vehicle, a quarter-scale fully-autonomous submarine, used for propulsor research and submarine maneuvering studies; the Intermediate Scale Measurement System (ISMS) used to conduct research in acoustic radiation and target strength of submarines; the flow-noise haul-down facility used to conduct research on the impact of fluid flow over and about submarine hulls; and, a facility to test the high speed flow induced noise of towed arrays.

Acoustic Tank Facility - ATF2

Crane, IN

The Crane Acoustic Testing Facility consists of two surplus nuclear reactor vessels that were purchased, transported to Crane, and placed in service as acoustic test chambers in 1994. These stainless steel clad vessels extend the depth, frequency range of measurements, and access port size for testing over the original Anechoic Test Facility (ATF1).

Acoustic Test Facility

Panama City, FL

This facility consists of an oval, freshwater pond, which measures approximately 240 by 145 feet, and is 20 or 30 feet deep depending on the work area. There is a main building on land with a 100-foot covered test pier and a pontoon barge with an equipment building. Both buildings are instrumented with digital acoustic measuring systems consisting primarily of Hewlett Packard equipment. The measurement system in the main building is transitioning to a VXI data acquisition system. Rotating positioners, capable of handling 1,000 pounds, are located at both test sites, as well as 1-ton overhead hoists. Vinyl plastic liners are suspended beneath both the pier and the barge to provide clear, isothermal water in the work areas. Their dimensions are 38 feet long by 20 feet wide by 20 feet deep at the pier, and 45 feet long by 33 feet wide by 30 feet deep under the barge. Both liners extend to the mud bottom of the pond.

Acoustic Wind Tunnel

Newport, RI

The Acoustic Wind Tunnel is a large, quiet, low mach number facility specifically designed for basic hydrodynamic and hydroacoustic investigations. Construction techniques and design flexibility allow the tunnel to support a multitude of test configurations. The test volume is acoustically anechoic and completely isolated, resulting in extremely low background noise levels. These features permit measurement of radiated noise forcing functions at full-scale Reynolds numbers in completely uncontaminated flow. The facility maintains standard air parameters and can be converted from closed flow to open flow using external louvers. Large access doors, cranes, and a flexible testing arrangement make this facility well suited for dual-use projects such as automobile or environmental flow studies.

Acoustical Testing Laboratory (ATL)

Cleveland, OH

The Acoustic Testing Laboratory performs tests to ensure that components, payloads, and racks comply with International Space Station noise emission criteria. Acoustical measurements of noise emissions from aerospace flight hardware and similar noise producing equipment are acquired in a free-field acoustical environment with low background noise levels.

Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Lab (AAPL)

Cleveland, OH

This facility is an acoustically treated geodesic dome. The 130-ft-diameter dome is 65-ft high and acts as a noise barrier, protecting adjacent Glenn buildings and surrounding residential communities from the high levels of noise. The dome serves double duty by providing an anechoic environment for acoustic measurement of aeropropulsion components.

Anechoic Chamber

Newport, RI

The Anechoic Chamber provides a pure environment that is free of all external noise and vibration. The chamber is a research tool aimed specifically at advanced studies in active noise cancellation, directivity, and measurements of sound power levels. The unique combination of acoustic and radio frequency measurement capabilities within a common enclosure allows the entire range of signatures to be easily established in a cost-effective manner. The versatility designed into this facility allows investigations into such areas as environmental/community noise studies, consumer appliance noise, automobile noise, and commercial product airborne sound certification.

Anechoic Flow Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The facility has two areas in which measurements can be made: a nine foot long closed jet test section of eight feet square cross section, and a 21 foot long open-jet test section surrounded by an anechoic chamber of 21 foot square cross section. The maximum air speed in the facility is 200 feet per second. Noise generated at full speed is less than that of conversational speech. Models up to 20 feet may be mounted in the facility. Commercial uses for this facility include the automobile and aircraft industries as well as environmental applications.

Autonomous Acoustic Receiver (AAR) System

Washington, DC

Benefield Anechoic Facility

Edwards AFB, CA

The BAF is an ideal ground test facility to investigate and evaluate anomalies associated with EW systems, avionics, tactical missiles and their host platforms. Tactical-sized, single or multiple, or large vehicles can be operated in a controlled electromagnetic (EM) environment with emitters on and sensors stimulated while RF signals are recorded and analyzed. The largest platforms tested at the BAF have been the B-52 and C-17 aircraft. The BAF supports testing of other types of systems such as spacecraft, tanks, satellites, air defense systems, drones and armored vehicles.

Compact Antenna Range Facility

Washington, DC

Glendora Lake Hydro-Acoustic Test Facility

Crane, IN

The Glendora Lake Hydro-acoustic Test Facility provides a unique capability to functionally test devices that require the integration of ordnance with electronics and acoustics. Located in Sullivan, Indiana, the facility includes a 5200 ft long x 600 ft wide, 100 ft deep Hydro-acoustic Test Area. The Facility is equipped with Test Platforms, a VXI Data Acquisition System, a Target Range, a 100 ft Tow Rail, an Ordnance/Pyrotechnic Test Range, Test Support Building, Floating Pier, Air Deployment Range with Hot Air Balloon, and various support vehicles and items.

Instrumentation Suite for Making Measurements of Acoustic Propagation in Complex Shallow Water

Washington, DC

Isolation Measurement Chamber Facility

Washington, DC

Laboratory for Structural Acoustics

Washington, DC

Machinery Acoustic Silencing Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

This laboratory consists of three large anechoic/quiet rooms with isolated floors containing facilities for the measurement and characterization of low-level airborne, fluidborne, and structureborne generated noise of full-scale shipboard machinery. The large scale machinery anechoic chamber has a 3900 square foot test area and a 50 foot high ceiling; floor loading is 700 pounds per square foot. The total test area of three rooms exceeds 14,000 square feet. Programs to develop quiet machinery technology and prototype hardware for all classes of submarine and surface ships are supported by this laboratory. Research and development is conducted for quiet pumps, fans, ventilation and fluid systems, valves, mounts, electric motors and generators, and other machinery components and systems.

Multichannel Acoustic Data Processing Laboratory

Washington, DC

Physical Acoustics and Special Projects Laboratory

Panama City, FL

The tank is 10 ft long by 10 ft wide by 6.8 ft deep. Two positioning arms, located above the tank and computer controlled by stepper motors, are used to mount and provide precise location of transducers and targets in the tank. The positioning arms also allow clockwise and counterclockwise rotations. Attached to the side of the tank is heater with feed-back circuitry. This heater allows for measurements to be made as a function of water temperature in a range from ambient to over 40 degrees Centigrade. The measurement process is all digital and precise data collection can be computer controlled. A frequency range of 20 kHz to 3 MHz is available. Instrumentation for acoustic measurements includes: numerous transducers, computers, functional signal generators, waveform recorders, spectrum analyzers and filters.

Precision Radio Frequency Anechoic Chamber Facility

Washington, DC

Quiet Water Tunnel

Newport, RI

Overview: The Quiet Water Tunnel (QWT) is a hydro-acoustic research facility designed for measurement of non-acoustic turbulent flow noise (pseudosound) and flow-induced acoustic noise. The QWT is located in Building 122 at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Rhode Island. The facility is acoustically quiet above 30 Hz thus allowing measurements of "low wavenumber" turbulent wall pressure levels in the absence of significant ambient acoustic noise. Fresh water is used as the working fluid (salt water is not used in the system).

Radio Frequency Anechoic Chamber Facility

Washington, DC

RF Anechoic Chamber

Eglin AFB, FL

The J-PRIMES anechoic chamber provides a controlled, isolated environment. It can be used to simulate a variety of in-flight conditions, including electromagnetic interference / electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC). The chamber can house a completely suspended and isolated F-15 aircraft, and has a direct fiber-optic link to the GWEF (Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility). Additionally, jammer signal simulation is provided.

RF Technology Lab

Rome, NY

The facility consists of fully automated electromagnetic measurement and research areas ­ two anechoic chambers, two reverberation chambers, RF source, instrumentation and support equipment. The RF source equipment is capable of generating 1000 volt/meter CW field strength over frequency ranges from 10KHz to 18GHz. High speed computer systems provide full measurement control, data collection and processing capabilities. The two anechoic chambers (40ft x 32ftx 48ft and 12ft x 36ft) provide a "free space" electromagnetic environment for detailed evaluation. Two reverberation chambers (32ft x 17ft x 12ft and 3.8ft x 4.7ft x 4.9ft) provide a "quick look", frequency culling evaluation capability for RF coupling and shielding effectiveness measurements.

Salt Water Tank Facility

Washington, DC

Shallow Water Acoustic Laboratory

Washington, DC

Shallow-Water High-Frequency Measurement Systems

Washington, DC

South Florida Testing Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The South Florida Testing Facility is a fully instrumented test range that encompasses a Shallow Water Acoustic Range; a Shallow and Intermediate Depth Electromagnetic Range; a Forward Area Combined Degaussing and Acoustic Range; and an area with deep and shallow mine fields. The area has extensive current and temperature measurement probes that allow full environmental definition. The facility supports submarines, surface ships, the mine community and oceanographic research

Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility (SEAFAC) is the Navy’s only West Coast asset for making high fidelity passive acoustic signature measurements. SEAFAC includes directive line arrays, data collection and processing systems for real-time data analysis and signature evaluation.

Structural Acoustics In-Air Facility

Washington, DC

Submarine Passive Acoustic Analysis Trainer

Orlando, FL

Depending on selected instructor setup options, the trainer shall have the capability for instructing "groups" of students utilizing the same scenario (Lockstep Mode), or for each student to be assigned a unique scenario (Independent Mode), or a combination of the two. In either case, actions performed by each student are completely independent of the other student stations.

Tactical Oceanography Simulation Laboratory and Wide Area Network (TOSL/TOWAN)

Washington, DC

USNS HAYES

West Bethesda, MD

The USNS HAYES is the Navy’s sole East Coast asset for making high fidelity passive and active acoustic signature measurements on submarines. HAYES includes high gain measurement arrays, data collection and processing systems for real-time data analysis and signature evaluation. HAYES is equipped with the Navy’s only certified Target Strength measurement system and a towed array that can be used for long time data collection of submarine emanating noise sources.