Ordnance facilities

Aerial and Surface Targets Complex

Point Mugu, CA

We provide operational and engineering support to Navy target users and providers worldwide.The Complex uses land-based launch sites at Point Mugu and San Nicholas Island, California, both of which are on the Sea Test Range; and land-based sites at China Lake, California, on the Electronic Combat Ranges. We provide air launch support with NWTS Pt. Mugu DC-130 and QF-4 aircraft. The Aerial Target Launch Ship (ATLS) is used for seaborne launches. These assets provide the target capability for airborne or seaborne launches to be deployed in support of Fleet operations or weapon system development. The Complex provides aerial and surface target operational support throughout the threat envelope, as well as auxiliary and augmentation systems that enhance target threat replicability. We can also provide our deployable target control system to present the BQM-74 aerial target anywhere worldwide–shipboard or land based.

Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Targets

Orlando, FL

Crew-gunnery and live-fire training is conducted using various unmanned aerial targets. The targets are threat representatives of cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and low-flying, fixed-wing aircraft. These targets must be capable of simulating threat target characteristics and require the ADA weapon system crew to utilize and understand its maximum capability. Numerous types of aerial targets, operated by troop units or furnished and operated by contract personnel, are available for ADA service practice. Training programs must result in demonstrated tactical and technical competence, weapon system confidence, and initiative and abilities of our Warfighters. The most commonly used targets and support devices used for this training are:

All-Caliber Soft Recovery and Vertical Firing Positions

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Recovery capability that allows study of launch effects (setback) on munitions and fuze components such as oscillators, amplifier sections, batteries, and rear fittings

Ammunition Assembly Plant

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Arena Fragmentation Evaluation Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Arena Fragmentation Test is used to evaluate the lethality of fragmenting munitions. Arena’s can be constructed up to 48-feet square, which translates into explosive weights up to 15 lbs. Fragmentation dispersion pattern and velocity are measured through the use of high-speed FASTEX cameras. Fragment size and weights are captured in Celotex panels, then removed and weighed by a computerized weighing system. The resulting information is then evaluated for lethal area and effectiveness.

Armament Technology Facility (ATF)

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Armament Technology Facility is a 52,000 square foot, secure and environmentally-safe, integrated small arms and cannon caliber design and evaluation facility. The ATF collocates simulation modeling, design, validation, and diagnostic engineering with the capability to immediately conduct confirmation experimental firings of interior and exterior ballistics. This concurrent engineering facility supports multi-service infantry, air defense, aircraft and combat vehicle armament systems, and is available to government and private industry. It has four weapons validation bays with an environmental chamber capable of weather conditions between -65°F and +165°F; two indoor ranges, one 100-meter range, one 300-meter range. The latter range can accommodate a Bradley Fighting Vehicle System firing its primary armament, or an Abrams tank firing its secondary armament.

Army Propellant Surveillance Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Army Propellant Surveillance Lab is the only facility of its kind in the world. It is the DoD's lead laboratory for ammunition surveillance and assures the safety, serviceability and economic use of the Army's war reserves by identifying potentially hazardous propellant lots and having them removed from the world wide stockpile before a catastrophic auto ignition can occur. No other facility of its kind exists in the DoD.

Ballistic Range

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Ballistic Test Site Terminal

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Blast Sphere Test Facility (BSTF)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Conventional Ammunition

Crane, IN

The Conventional Ammunition Engineering technical capability provides in-service engineering and sustainment functions to provide safe, reliable and effective munitions to the Fleet and the Marine Corps.

Davidson Advance Warhead Development Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Davidson Advanced Warhead Development Facility consists of a 40’ diameter by 40’ tall reinforced concrete dome, lined w/ armor plate, attached to a 335-ft concrete tunnel for extended warhead to target standoff distances. The blast containment chamber is constructed of 12” thick reinforced concrete, lined w/ 1.5” thick armor plate, & capable of withstanding a 50-lb. explosive charge (TNT equivalent). It will be used to test shaped charges, EFPs & other experimental warheads in support of ARDEC's R&D; mission, & will accommodate heavy metal liners, such as tantalum & tungsten. Instrumentation includes flash radiography, framing/streak camera, digital still camera, & electronic streak array. This facility will provide a safe, secure, cost-effective & environmentally acceptable means of conducting tests for terminal ballistic evaluation of armor defeating warheads.

Defense Security Systems

Crane, IN

Provides acquisition, acquisition engineering, test and evaluation, production engineering, in-service engineering (including alterations) and integrated logistics concepts to achieve total security solutions for safeguarding personnel, property and material aboard Navy ships and at Navy, Marine Corps and other DOD shore installations and activities. By coupling extensive knowledge of physical security with a workforce skilled in design, acquisition, logistics and integration, the capability acts as a technical agent providing dynamic, regionalized, integrated force protection solutions employing the latest in COTS electronic and physical security equipment.

Developmental Firing Range at Wallops Island

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Direct-Fire Ranges B-1/B-2/B-3

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Electric Armaments Range

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Emission Characterization Chamber (ECC)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Evasive Target Firing Range (TW I)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Experimental and Acceptance Weapons Facility

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Exploding Ordnance Emissions Characterization Chamber (OCTAGON)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Explosive Development Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Explosive Development Facility, which consolidates small-scale sensitivity diagnostics & research into one area, & includes: 2 instrumented 10 lbs experimental chambers, on site dark room facilities with an automatic radiographic film developing, explosive preparation rooms, three 100 lbs magazines on site. The location of the building, with a doorway connecting the Explosive Development Facility to the EWD offices, guarantees close ties to EWD's renowned explosive chemists, physicists, computer modelers & warhead designers. Picatinny Arsenal Small Scale Explosive Experimental Sites close ties to other ARDEC explosive preparation facilities & explosive sites provide for the fabrication (casting, pressing and machining) of explosives and associated parts as well as large-scale explosive detonation sites. The support available from these groups allows rapid experimental modifications and diagnostics making ARDEC a unique one-stop location to answer explosive & warhead questions. The site conducts explosive experimentation for government agencies & private industry through cooperative agreements.

Explosive Formulation Pilot Plant

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Pilot Plant for Explosive Formulation supports the development of new explosives that are comprised of several components. This system is particularly beneficial for the development of Insensitive Munition (IM) explosives. The system consists of three remotely operated Brabender screwfeeders (figure 1) which feed the various explosive components to a 150-gallon formulation kettle. The system can be operated remotely from Building 813 and is capable of formulating up to 1,500 pounds of energetic material per day. Explosive material produced using the IM Formulation Facility can be flaked for storage or processing using the Sandvick Belt Flaker.

Explosive Screening and Projectile Nose Drop Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The building's primary use is as a projectile nose drop facility. Melt casted projectiles are nose dropped to bump the cast forward in order to reveal any base separation in the round that may cause the projectile to be rejected during the x-ray process.

Explosive Washout and Pink Water Treatment Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Explosive Washout and Pink Water Treatment Facility is used to steam clean munitions that have been contaminated with an explosive compound. Also, Pink water (water contaminated with explosives) is treated and held in a 40,000 gallon storage tank until it is transported to another treatment facility.

Explosives R&D; Melt Cast Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Cast Testing Fixtures are used for Small Scale Card Gap, Large Scale Card Gap, Detonation Velocity, Cylinder Expansion Test, Dent Test, Setback Test, Aging Test, Exudation Test, Slow Cook Off Test, and Explosives Qualification & Requalification Tests. The facility can load:

Explosives Test Pond

West Bethesda, MD

The explosives test pond was designed for use in conducting underwater explosive (UNDEX) shock testing of ship and submarine models and components. It is the only explosives-rated pond in the U.S. with the capability of providing high-speed underwater photography of UNDEX model response. Explosives of up to 3 pounds can be used in the Pond. Personnel with the necessary expertise are available to safely and efficiently conduct UNDEX experiments in this controlled and environmentally safe location.

Firing Impulse Simulator (FIS)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Flash Radiography

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Hand-Held Mine Detector Test Facility

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

High Explosives Plant and Edgewood Operations

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

High Explosives Research and Development (HERD) Facility

Eglin AFB, FL

The purpose is to provide high explosive formulation, chemical analysis, safety and performance testing, processing, X-ray, quality control and loading support for Air Force nonnuclear weapons development programs and other agency requirements.

High-Speed Film and Electronic Imaging

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

High-Velocity and Barricade C Ranges

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Indirect-Fire Proof and Recovery Ranges

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Instrumented Small Arms Range (Position 5)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Internal Blast Test Site

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Large Caliber Ballistic R&D; Evaluation Area

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This area is used to accommodate ballistic firing of conventional and experimental weapon systems, munitions, and propellant for caliber 40mm through 8 inch. Interior, exterior and terminal ballistic data evaluation includes: pressure vs. time, muzzle flash evaluation, projectile stability, Hadland digital range camera, FASTAX cameras, digital, digital high speed video, thermal measurements and weapon integrity. Data is recorded in real-time, allowing project engineers to evaluate each round as it is fired. Additional capabilities include the loading/modifying of standard and experimental propellant charges, along with support facilities such as service magazines, conditioning chambers, and material handling equipment.

Materials Sciences & Engineering Test

Seal Beach, CA

The Materials Sciences and Engineering Test Branch provides testing expertise in support of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs and other DoD conventional and nuclear weapon systems in the areas of Chemistry Analysis , Materials Analyses, Environmental Simulation, Ordnance Testing, RF and Electrical Testing, NDT Testing. Test and analytical services include: chemistry testing of ordnance materials and Cal EPA hazardous waste identification, physical properties testing of material, failure analysis investigations, vibration, temperature and humidity testing (MIL-STD 810-E), functional testing of electro-explosives (one of a kind test apparatus), RF testing (anechoic chamber 400mhz to 9 ghz, and certified for EMI testing), and ATE electrical testing of component (and bench testing). Sponsors include Strategic Systems Programs, Defense Construction Supply Center, Columbus, OH , Marine Corps, Army, NAVSEA, and NAVAIR.

Michaelsville Small Arms Firing Area

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Moving Target Simulator (MTS)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Multi-Caliber Fragmentation Facility

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Multiple Target Firing Range (TW II)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Multipurpose Indirect-Fire Range

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Munitions New Equipment Training and Media Production Branch

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

NET Managers develop training programs in support of materiel developers at ARDEC and on contract to other major commands. Training Instructors develop and provide Training Support Packages to TRADOC schools and major commands. Operator and maintenance training is provided to selected military occupational specialty qualified personnel in fielded units of active, national guard and reserve major commands.

Ordnance

Indian Head, MD

Production of torpedo warheads and manufacture fuel for virtually all torpedoes in the fleet, a monopropellant named Otto Fuel developed at Indian Head.

Ordnance and Propulsion Laboratories

China Lake, CA

Under the aegis of the Naval Air Systems Command, the Ordnance and Propulsion Laboratories represent the U.S. Navy's most comprehensive and unique center for research and development of missile propulsion, ordnance, and fuzing. The Ordnance and Propulsion Laboratories provide a one-stop shop for propulsion and ordnance: from the synthesis of ingredients for propellant and explosives to their incorporation into weapons systems; from design of warheads, bombs, fuzes, and rocket motors to their implementation in the Fleet; and from computer analysis to demil.

Ordnance Emissions Test Facility (B-2 Firing Barricade)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Ordnance Facilities Development and Engineering

Port Hueneme, CA

Outdoor Armor Test Ranges (Six Ranges)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Pilot Plant for Melt Pour and Cast Cure HE filled Munition

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This is a pilot scale LAP Facility that utilizes melt-pour and cast cure equipment to load munitions. This facility allows for experimental explosives and loading processes to be developed and proven out on a smaller but closely related scale that is transferable to industry.

Projectile Demilitarization Facilities

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Autoclave Demil System was designed and developed by ARDEC. A large scale autoclave system was designed, built and installed based on the ARDEC design and was used to reclaim approximately 10.5 million pounds of TNT which was later used in the production of new bombs for the Air Force. The fully functional prototype system can be used to demil 60mm, 81mm, 120mm, and 155mm projectiles. The system is also used to demil projectiles received from onsite EOD personnel. This includes foreign munitions recently removed from Southwest Asia. Projectiles demilled in the autoclave are sent to Bldg 800 to be thermally decontaminated to 5X status. Explosives drained from the projectiles are captured in a 25-gallon Melt Kettle where the composition of the material can be analyzed utilizing Near Infrared (NIR) Compositional Analysis System.

Prototype Munitions Fabrication Lab

Eglin AFB, FL

Areas of responsibility include air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon fabrication, aeromechanic shapes for wind tunnel investigations, flight test models, modular weapon interface units, and suspension and release prototype hardware. These models consist of full-scale and reduced-scale sizes. The Munitions Fabrication Facility can perform extremely accurate work in machining, sheet metal work, welding, fiberglass/plastic work, numerical control machining, and quality control/measuring.

Recoilless Rifle Ranges

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Romney Creek 8000-Meter Mortar Range

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Romney Creek Automatic Weapons Firing Range

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Standardized UXO Technology Demonstration Site

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Supersonic Ballistic Test Rail

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Supersonic Naval Ordnance Research Track (SNORT)

China Lake, CA

Overview. The SNORT facility serves government and industry by providing a high speed testing capability under reliable and controlled dynamic conditions. SNORT combines many of the advantages of laboratory testing with the dynamic conditions of free-flight testing, and also provides the option of test-item recovery for post-test examination or retesting. The G-4 terminal and ballistics test track operates as a backup. Range personnel can perform complete track-test programs from carriage design and fabrication through

Tank Armament Test Range

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Turret Maintenance Facility (TW)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Underwater Explosions (UNDEX) Test Facility

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

UNDEX Pond at Briar Point Test Range

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

UNDEX Test Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The UNDEX Test Facility (UTF) is located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland. The UTF is composed of two ponds used by the Navy to conduct underwater explosion tests. The Briar Point Test Pond is a shallow depth pond used primarily for conducting underwater explosion shock qualification tests of mission critical surface ship and submarine components. The larger Underwater Explosion Test Pond was designed to conduct land-based testing of full-scale submersible shock test vehicles. Concerns related to minimizing environmental effects at previously used protected water sites prompted the Navy to sponsor development of the Aberdeen UTF facility. Explosive charge weights of 350# HBX-1 can be used at Briar Point, and 3500# HBX-1 can be used at the Underwater Explosion Test Pond.

Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection Facility

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Vehicle Vulnerability/Survivability Test Range

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Very Shallow Water Mine Countermeasures Test Area

Panama City, FL

This unique, man-made Test Area was constructed to evaluate new systems and their components in a representative surf zone environment (i.e., water depths of 0 to 10 feet). Specifically, the requirement to develop systems for the neutralization of shallow water mines and obstacles generated the need for a test facility to support underwater explosives testing. The Test Area, with up to 20 feet of earth covering a buried polyethylene liner, is designed to accept up to 3,700 pounds of explosives. Other Test Area applications include testing the vulnerability of equipment, vehicles, and personnel to explosive effects; testing new acoustic and navigational technologies; investigating explosive ordnance disposal techniques; and facilitating electro-optics projects.

Warhead Design Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility is unique to the DOD for chemical energy warheads. The Lab has the capability to design new warhead concepts (including classified) on the computer using the latest 2D and 3D hydro codes. It optimizes warhead designs for increased lethality using these codes. Associated on site facilities exist for machining the metal parts, explosive loading and test firing these designs against a variety of targets. Within this facility state-of-the-art Shaped Charges and Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs) can be designed and tested. New explosives can be loaded and tested in warheads to optimize the explosive/metal interaction. This facility has complete computational capabilities for the design of anti-armor, blast, fragmentation, and multipurpose warheads to defeat the full spectrum of threats as well as for demolition and Active Protection applications. There are capabilities to develop advanced equations of statefor new explosive formulations and liner materials that are essential for the highest fidelity modeling required for rapid design development. In addition, there are ARDEC developed warhead design codes incorporating numerical optimization capability for the most accurate and fastest development cycles which minimize costly fabrication and test phases. These codes produce the most accurate warhead simulations within the DOD. This design capability is supported by state of the art warhead linermachining and explosive loading facilities as well as indoor all weather fully instrumented test facilities. This combination is unique within the DOD.