Defense facilities in NJ

Automatic Test Equipment Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Automated Test Systems Division (ATSD) has assembled facilities to support the on-site development of Test Program Sets (TPS) for Weapon Systems. The facility occupies over 13,000 sq. ft. and houses over eighteen million dollars of equipment and material. The facility houses and utilizes the following Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) platforms: IFTE V3, IFTE V5, Aurora (Mantech VTS-1000), Marine Corp TETS, ADADS, AN/USM-410 EQUATE, AN/USM-465 (Genrad 2225A), DSESTS, Huntron, and DIT-MCO.

Hot Air Decontamination Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility provides for an environmentally compliant way to decontaminate scrap metal at ARDEC and provides a means of safe disposal/recycling. The 1350 cu ft oven is utilized to decontaminate metal/process equipment that has been exposed to energetic material. Per Army Decontamination Regulations, the XXX (3X) contaminated metal is elevated and maintained at temperatures over 500ºF for a period of 3 hours. This controlled heating process destroys the energetic contamination on the metal/equipment. This facility provides the Army with ability decontaminate material to a certifiable XXXXX (5X) contamination level by ARDEC Safety Office. It can decontaminate equipment with little to no disfiguration for safe reworking/welding/disposal, depending on type of metal and equipment configuration.

Manufacturing Complex

Lakehurst, NJ

Navy Lakehurst has a 240,000 sq ft prototyping and manufacturing complex with over 300 computer controlled and conventional machines and 130 expert machinist, welders and trades artisans. Capabilities, in addition to machining and welding, include fabrication, electronics, heat treating, wood, fabric, plastic, packaging and preservation.

Nanotechnology and Characterization Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The facilities include a wide range of apparatus for production, potential scale up and characterization of nanostructures. Facilities for production of nanostructures includes: a chemical vapor deposition oven system for production of carbon nanostructures, radio frequency generated plasma systems to scale up production of metal nanoparticles, rapid expansion of saturated solution (RESS) of fluids for production of nanocrystals, as well as facilities to chemically make and coat metal nanoparticles in oxygen free environments.

New Equipment Training Center-Video Production Center

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Audiovisual Production Specialists prepare training/marketing media (CDs, DVDs) to include script writing, storyboarding, shooting, editing and final production preparation with narration and music. Video Production Capabilities:

Non Destructive Evaluation Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility is used to nondestructively evaluate a wide variety of products and materials. Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) is the examination of an object or material with technology that does not affect its future usefulness. NDE can be used without destroying a product or material. Because it allows inspection without interfering with a product's final use, NDE provides an excellent balance between quality and cost-effectiveness.

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.

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.

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.

Advanced Materials Characterization Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Advanced Materials Characterization Laboratory performs materials failure analyses and corrosion analyses on ammunition and weapons in support of ARDEC, PEO Ammo Production Base, PM-Mortars, PM-MAS, PM-CAS, PM-OCSW, PM-LtWt, the Army Judge Advocate General (JAG), FBI, LANL, LLNL, and various defense contactors. Work requires quick turn-around time and technical responsiveness. A partial list of equipment used as follows:

Corrosion Testing Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Corrosion Testing Facility is part of the Army Corrosion Office (ACO). It is a fully functional atmospheric exposure site, called the Corrosion Instrumented Test Yard (CITY), provides the ACO the capability to conduct long-term corrosion studies on Army related material in accordance with ASTM G50 "Standard Practice for Conducting Atmospheric Corrosion Tests on Metals" at Picatinny. In addition to the atmospheric exposure site, the ACO has electrochemical testing equipment that is capable of running numerous electrochemical tests in the laboratory as well as in the field. Further specialized equipment includes a cyclic corrosion chamber (for running ASTM B117 and GM 9540P tests), xenon arc chamber, gravel meter, contact angle meter, scratch tester, etc. Metallurgical facilities are also on-site to provide extensive corrosion failure analysis.

Energetic and Engineering Materials Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Energetic and Engineering Materials Laboratory (EEML) acts as the principal materials consultant and liaison with RDECOM-ARDEC armaments development and engineering organizations in the materials technology areas of composite/energetic materials, thermoplastics/thermosets, adhesives/sealants, and lubricants. The laboratory seeks transition opportunities within the armaments community and other OGA's for basic research conducted by DOD, academia and industry.

Energetic Material Demonstration Module Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility is unique to DoD. New energetic materials which are synthesized in the laboratory on the scale of grams can be scaled up to 50-100 lb. quantities in order to optimize the process, provide material for further characterization in the laboratory and to provide experimental formulation of these new materials in explosives, propellants or pyrotechnics.

Energetic Material Reclamation/Processing R&D; Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

These R&D; facilities are unique in their construction and equipment enabling the execution of numerous energetic material reclamation/processing programs. These programs include the reclamation of explosives for recycle/reuse; pink water treatment; high explosive loaded munition wash out; advanced explosive de-mil operations; explosive screening; and melt pour of castable explosives.

Lubricants Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility is capable of providing the following services: lubricity determination of oils, greases, and solid film lubricants; corrosion prevention; firing residue removal determinations; compatibility determinations, and, determination of physical properties of hydrocarbon products. Available equipment includes fales pin and vee block lubricant testers, four-ball wear lubricant tester, salt-spray chamber, humidity chambers, grease worker, penetrometer, flash point testers, high and low viscosity baths, cloud and pour point chambers, and an LFW-1 friction and wear tester.

Automatic Test Equipment Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Automated Test Systems Division (ATSD) has assembled facilities to support the on-site development of Test Program Sets (TPS) for Weapon Systems. The facility occupies over 13,000 sq. ft. and houses over eighteen million dollars of equipment and materials.

Ballistic Rail Gun Soft Recovery Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Ballistic Rail Gun Soft Recovery Facility accommodates a 155mm Howitzer, fired horizontally into a 104-foot long water trough to slow the projectile and recover the payload undamaged. Experimental items are loaded into the 155mm projectile and fired with energetic propellant to experience the in bore setback, acceleration and spin of a typical projectile firing. Spin can be minimized by the use of the slip obturator to simulate smoothbore environments. The projectile is recovered intact in the water trough within five (5) minutes of firing. This facility is used to evaluate projectiles, mine components, telemetry packages, components for guidance systems, whole guidance systems, fuzes, and fuze components.

Experimental Weapon/Armament Prototyping Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This complete manufacturing facility contains 250 pieces of equipment to include CNC, NC and conventional machine tools, heat treating, welding, inspection and associated support equipment to meet ARDEC's R&D; mission. This equipment is used for prototype development of test quantities on a wide variety of armaments. The uniqueness of this facility is in the varied type and the quality of the equipment it houses. The building is 85,000 square feet and has three bridge cranes (50 ton, 20 ton, 15 ton) that run the length of the main building. These allow large vehicles to be disassembled, modified and reassembled with ease.

Fire Control Integration Laboratory (FCIL)

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The RDECOM-ARDEC Fire Control Integration Laboratory (FCIL) is capable of accommodating a broad array of combat vehicles and towed weapons systems for integration and testing of various mechanical and electrical on board components and subsystems. The FCIL is a two bay high ceiling shop with double overhead doors and is capable of housing two combat vehicles at a time. Typically, hardware and software undergoing integration, debugging, and testing are intended as a performance upgrade for a specific system through follow-on retrofitting. The FCIL is classified as open secret storage and contains a full complement of electronic instrumentation for system monitoring and data acquisition during testing, common shop tools, overhead lifts/cranes for light component removal and replacement, power supplies with NATO connectors capable of fully powering up any combat vehicle, and is heated for year-round/all seasonal work. The FCIL is approximately 2,000 sq. ft. and the vehicles currently occupying the facility are the Abrams M1A1/M1A2 Main Battle Tank and the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled Howitzer, which are primarily used to provide field support in the form of technical problem investigation and resolution. The FCIL is constantly conducting evaluations of fire control enhancements and navigational capabilities that allow our soldiers to successfully engage in combat activities while using the latest and most technologically advanced weapons.

Fire Control System Integration Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Fire Control System Integration Facility (FCSIF) is a High Bay facility capable of accommodating a broad array of self propelled and towed weapon systems for system-level integration and testing of various fire control components and subsystems. The facility has a floor area of 11,400 square feet with a 50 ft high ceiling and a 35 ton overhead crane. The facility is accessible by the various weapon systems through a 24 ft wide by 14 ft high overhead door. The FCSIF is equipped with outdoor radio antennas mounted on the building's rooftop that facilitate communicating with the FDC M577 and various weapon systems throughout the arsenal area to support navigation and other system-level testing. The FCSIF is flanked on each side by System Integration Laboratories (SILs) that contain a full complement of electrical instrumentation for system interfacing, monitoring and data acquisition during testing. A rooftop mounted GPS antenna provides GPS signal that is networked and re-radiated through out the laboratory, thus eliminating multiple GPS antennas and providing GPS signal in the SILs and Highbay area. The hardware and software systems undergoing integration, debugging and testing are typically developed in-house as a new capability or a performance upgrade for a specific system. The facility contains shop tools, overhead lifts and cranes for removal and replacement of components weighing up to thirty-five tons, and is heated and cooled for year-round, all season work. Systems currently using the facility include the M1064 Mortar Carrier, M577 Fire Direction Center, STYRKER Mortar Variant, M777 Lightweight Howitzer, and the M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer

Fuze Development Facility (Adelphi Laboratory Center)

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Fuze Division at Adelphi applies new and innovative technologies to design and develop safe, reliable and affordable fuzing systems. They specialize in the design and development of proximity sensors, controller circuits, Electronic Safety and Arming mechanisms and inductive setters that provide highly accurate burst height control and improved resistance to Electronic Counter Measures. Their capability can modify and optimize existing proximity sensor designs to satisfy a wide variety of unique requirements and package them to survive gun launch.

Benet Labs Electro-Mechanics & Controls Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The EM&C; Laboratory provides customer support through an environment enabling the Benet workforce to integrate electronic/electrical hardware with computer-based control systems. Hardware activities performed typically focus on armament test equipment & test support items, encompassing multi-axis actuation control, power management & sensor interfacing. Computer-based rapid prototyping of control systems thru use of The MathWorks control development tool suite. Modern electronic test equipment is applied consisting of digitizing oscilloscopes, waveform generators, logic analyzers, digital multimeters, current probes, and PC-based data acquisition.

Electro-Deposition Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The electro-deposition laboratory can electro-deposit various coatings onto small test samples and bench level prototypes. This facility provides the foundation for advanced deposition technologies on the larger scale. Small-scale electro-deposition of numerous refractory metals is available.

Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Fuze Group's E3 team has the capability to expose systems to a wide range of severe electromagnetic environments utilizing laboratory facilities at Picatinny Arsenal and elsewhere. The systems' response to those environments is measured utilizing custom instrumentation designed and fabricated by E3 team personnel. E3 team engineers provide design guidance to ensure developmental systems will not be susceptible to electromagnetic environments to be encountered during their life cycle. Additionally, the E3 team serves as technical liaison between ARDEC elements and the Army Nuclear Survivability requirements community and test facilities. Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) ensure the safety and reliability of electrically initiated explosives in high electromagnetic radiation environments. Electromagnetic Radiation, Operational (EMRO) evaluation ensures the safe, reliable operation of electronic systems in their anticipated electromagnetic radiation environment. This type of system evaluation is similar to the MIL-STD-461 radiated susceptibility test for subsystems.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Laboratory

Lakehurst, NJ

In addition to EMI testing, NAVAIR provides such services as EMI consultation, document review, EMI requirement assessment, analysis, Fleet support, project management, site surveys, and MIL-STD-704 (electrical power quality) compatibility testing. We are also bridging the gap between the research and development and test and evaluation communities to answer measurement concerns and address test requirements and methodology relationships with the intended environment. We remain very active in the continual MIL-STD-461/462 revision process, and our personnel assist with Naval Laboratory Accreditation Program (NAVLAP) activities.

Fuze Development Center

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Fuze Development Center is equipped with Industrial grade facilities so that the processes can be worked out prior to production hand off during development. There is a full SMT line, highly capable machine shop for fixturing and low quantity component runs, as well as explosives handling capability. There are also assembly benches to simulate assembly operations as one would see in a production facility. The set ups are flexible depending on the item being assembled. This facility will allow for documented processes that provide consistency, and “true to life” prototypes that give accurate and reproducible test results. “Do it right the first time”.

Nanotechnology Center

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The facilities includes a induction plasma system to produce nanopowders, a state-of-the-art x-ray diffraction & x-ray scattering equipment, and variety of other apparatus needed to characterize physical, thermal, chemical, and metallurgical properties of nanomaterials. Imaging equipment such as electron microscope shall be installed in the near future.

Directed Energy Research Center

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Directed Energy Research Center is supplied with 2.5 million volt-amp power developing and testing of advanced energy based systems. Building contains a grounding grid the capability to discharge 1 million amps without damage to equipment and facilities or Picatinny Infrastructure. Two Shielded Rooms are capable of shielding against Low Frequency magnetic fields and High Power Microwaves simultaneously with secure areas allowing real-time Classified Data Processing. There are two Highbay areas for integrating technologies onto mobile platforms. Equipment and facilities include: Anechoic Chamber (EM and RF Shielded), High Bay with Crane, Ultra Short Pulse Laser Laboratory Annex, and laboratory work benches. This World Class High power Laboratory is capable of providing High Voltage and High current requirements. The Directed Energy Facility integrates specialized diagnostics and data acquisition equipment with capability of measuring and processing high power RF systems being developed for the future Warfighter. High Voltage capabilities Up to 1 million Volts with Directed Energy Technologies include:

Energetic Materials Analysis Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Energetic Materials Analysis Laboratory is a recognized leader in the field of energetic materials chemistry and provides support to the tri-services, other government agencies (FBI, DEA), approved foreign governments, academia, and private industry through analysis and testing in support of development of new ammunition, qualification of energetic material used in DoD munitions, life-cycle testing of fielded munitions, development of demilitarization and disposal processes, and investigations of field malfunctions. The extensive test and evaluation capabilities of the lab play a key role in ensuring material quality and ordnance reliability. State of the art laboratories and instrumentation are used for the characterization and assay of new explosive compounds, MIL-STD, NAVSEAS, and STANAG qualification, exploitation of foreign ammunition, compatibility of energetic and ammunition components, methods development, and investigations of manufacturing deficiencies, malfunctions, accidents, bombings, and criminal fraud. The laboratory consists of a physical properties laboratory, a thermal properties laboratory, a metals laboratory, a wet chemistry laboratory, and an instrumental laboratory for both organic and inorganic analyses. Instruments include GC-MS, DSC, TGA, FTIR, ICP-AES, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Reaction Rate Calorimeter, Accelerated Rate Calorimetry, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Karl Fischer Automated Titrator, and Ion Chromatography. With our qualified staff of chemists, scientists, and technicians, EMAL can provide a wide variety of on-site sampling and testing services. Whether the situation calls for using a state-of-the-art portable instrumentation or downloading and obtaining a representative sample from a munition, EMAL possesses the personnel, equipment and expertise to perform routine or highly specialized sampling and testing services. With more than 70 years of experience in responding to emergencies involving energetic materials, EMAL has the capability of identifying unknown substances in hours not days.

Energetic Materials Machining Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This building is currently on line with 8 bays that house numerous machine tools for both contact and remote machining of energetic materials. Current upgrades include a CNC lathe, a CMM Measuring machine and most recent a CNC milling machine installed last week. There are Conventional lathes, Milling machine, band saw and drilling machines. This facility is very active and has been on line and providing quality energetic machining support to our staff for many years and the building itself although quite old is often used to showcase our capabilities within the group.

Energetics Conditioning Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Energetics Conditioning Facility is used for long term and short term aging studies of energetic materials. The facility has 10 conditioning chambers of which 2 are equipped with humidity control, 1 with refrigeration, and 1 at ambient conditions. Temperature control and recording are available in all 10 chambers. The facility can accommodate up to 1,000 pounds of energetic material per study.

Energetics Laboratory Facilities

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

These energetic materials laboratories are equipped with explosion proof hoods with blow out walls for added safety, that are certified for safe handling of primary as well as secondary high explosives. Modern instrumentation for thorough analysis and characterization of new energetic materials is available. Analytical techniques available on site include high field nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry and UV-visible spectrometry, scanning electron microscope/transmission electron microscope. Equipment for process development and scale-up of energetic materials is available including jacketed reactor vessels and programmable heating and cooling circulators. Analysis of thermal properties of new materials is carried out using differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. Computational facilities include various personal computers and workstations and software for advanced molecular modeling and prediction of energetic performance characteristics of new materials. Availability of these capabilities under one roof make these laboratories a premier site for the research, design, development and scale-up of new energetic materials for the next generation weapon systems.

Energetics Rheology Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Energetics Rheology Laboratory houses a variety of instruments and equipment for the characterization of energetic materials, which include propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics, precursor materials and non-energetic materials such as epoxies, composites and polymeric resins. All instruments are remotely controlled from a centralized control room via CCD surveillance cameras and computerized monitoring systems. The ERL is used to conduct various experiments and analyses of energetic and non-energetic materials. The ERL uses specialized software and data analyses programs, making the ERL a technically competent and unique site for performing energetic materials characterizations

CASS Product Verification/Evaluation Facility

Lakehurst, NJ

The Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS) Product Verification/Evaluation Facility provides the means to perform single site testing on the CASS hardware and associated Test Program Sets (TPS). It contains the resources to perform RDT&E, TECHEVAL and OPEVAL testing on all aspects of the CASS development, including lifecycle and P3 testing. The facility combines the Class Desk, Test Engineer, Development Contractor and Military User into a cohesive team focused on the development of the various assets of CASS. The CASS Software Support Activity (SSA) has achieved a Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity Model (SEI CMM) rating.

Computer Based Image and Signal Processing Analysis Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility is dedicated to image processing and signal processing as related to the design and implementation of measurement systems that support research and development. At its core is a supercomputer capable of 200 million 64-bit floating-point operations per second. This facility has unique peripherals. They include a one gigabyte per second Local Area Network which links the computer to high performance graphics workstations for visualization; a 14.4 million byte per second, digital, video tape recorder for the importing and digitization of images; and a million byte per second analog-to-digital converter for the digitization of analog data.

Electric Modeling Laboratory

Lakehurst, NJ

Microprocessor boards are tested through the use of ROM emulation software. A fault dictionary is generated for each type of board tested and is maintained as new faults are encountered. Fault analysis allows designers to track faults and components that may need repair or replacement during the unit’s life cycle

Experimental Explosive Pressing Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility supports R&D; press loading for various warhead configurations including conventional warheads and those in early concept phase incorporating new explosive formulations. The facility houses a computer controlled 190 ton press and a 420 ton press, an explosion proof electrical oven, and pressing support equipment such as hydraulic and vacuum systems. The 190-ton press supports double-acting press loading of conventional and other novel explosives up to 105 mm in diameter for warheads. The 420-ton press can press warheads up to 155 mm in diameter. The computer control capability provides accurate control, reading and recording of all pressing parameters, such as pressure, pressing cycles, vacuum, ram speed, and temperature to provide optimal procedures for maximum performances of explosive formulations. This facility is operated remotely thus providing safe, cost effective, and environmentally friendly pressing operations.

Instrumentation and Measurement System Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This suite of collocated facilities supports armament research, development, evaluation and manufacturing by addressing the needs of instrumentation and measurement systems. These instrumentation and measurement systems can be used for research, design and development across a broad spectrum of disciplines including:

Rapid Prototyping and Reverse Engineering Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Equipment utilized in support of this expertise include a variety of high end CAD programs, High Speed CNC machining and programming, Laser and Probe scanning for Reverse Engineering and inspection, Stereolithography modeling and Quick Cast casting. The mixture of equipment and technical capabilities provides the foundation for delivering quality products on a repeated basis.

Armament Software Engineering Center

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Armament SEC applies requirements definition analysis, architectural design, systems software design and analysis, software engineering and integration, software verification testing, software fielding, software acquisition support, configuration management, and process assurance towards weapons and munitions, training devices, chemical/biological detectors. The M109A6 self-propelled howitzer " Paladin Automatic Fire Control System, Paladin AFCS PC-Based Trainer, the Mortar Fire Control System (MFCS), the Lightweight Handheld Mortar Ballistic Computer (LHMBC) and the M1A1 Abrams Ballistic Computer are among some of the software intensive systems that the Armament SEC has recently developed or updated and fielded. Additional software development and acquisition support programs of the Armament SEC include the M777A1 Towed Artillery Digitization, America's Army " the official game of the US Army, Multi-purpose Integrated Chemical Agent Detector (MICAD), SPIDER Networked Munition, Excalibur, Precision Guided Mortar Munitions (PGMM), and Intelligent Munitions System (IMS). When systems are no longer in production, the Armament SEC supplies Post Production Software Support (PPSS) services to maintain the software and software baseline for the Army.

Combat Vehicle Diagnostics/Prognostics Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

ARDEC maintains a full-range Diagnostics/Prognostics Laboratory for the research, development, testing and support of Embedded Diagnostics/Prognostics, Built-In Test, At-System Diagnostics, Software Downloaders (also known as Software Loader/Verifiers), Automated Software Testing and System Emulators. The lab is equipped with full diagnostics development environments for supported weapon systems, consisting of actual system hardware and subsystem emulators. Our facility is also equipped with all At-System ATE (Automated Test Equipment) required to support our customers, including the IFTE Soldier's Portable On-System Repair Tool (SPORT) and Maintenance Support Device (MSD) utilized by the Army and the Panasonic ToughBook utilized by the Marines. The laboratory staff consists of engineers, scientists, technicians and contractors specializing in Diagnostics, Software Downloaders and Automated Software Testing. Some of the systems supported include the Paladin M109A6 Self-Propelled Howitzer, M777 Lightweight Towed Howitzer, Mortar Fire Control System (used on M1064 and Stryker), Crew Remote Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), and the IPADS inertial navigation system.

Lightweight 155mm Software Support Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The TAD Software Support Environment (SSE) occupies 600 square-feet. It contains the hardware and software tools required to support the Light Weight 155mm M777A2 Digital Fire Control System (DFCS) operational software, which includes integration testing and software formal qualification testing. The DFCS SSE consists of 3 complete DFCS test environments, 1 level A test environment and 6 DFCS simulators where each environment can support testing individually or combined together as an 9-gun firing unit configuration to perform mutli-gun testing. Additionally, Gun 1008, equipped with the DFCS, can be added as an additional station by relocating the tethered Chief of Section Display into the lab. The TAD SSE is also equipped with outdoor radio antennas mounted on the building's rooftop that facilitate communicating with the M777A2 throughout the arsenal area to support navigation testing. A rooftop mounted GPS antenna provides GPS signal that is networked and re-radiated through out the laboratory, thus eliminating multiple GPS antennas and providing GPS signal in the laboratories and highbay area. Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) are connected to over 8 PC based test equipment in the test environment. The UPS conditions power and prevents the potential loss of data during testing.

Paladin Software Support Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Paladin Software Support Environment (SSE) occupies 2,241 square-feet. It contains the hardware and software tools required to support the Paladin Automatic Fire Control System (AFCS) operational software, which includes software engineering, integration and software qualification testing. The Paladin SSE consists of 8 complete Paladin test environments, where each environment can support testing individually or combined together as an 8 gun battery configuration to perform mutli-guns testing. Additionally, the Paladin SSE contains 4 of the AFCS PC-Trainers. The SSE incorporates the tactical command, control and communications systems, e.g., AFATDS and DMD to replicate field communications and operations, as well as emulations for the inertial and servo systems to provide realistic representations of the entire weapon. The Paladin SSE is also equipped with outdoor radio antennas mounted on the building's rooftop which are capable of communicating with the Paladin howitzer through out the arsenal area and supports the actual vehicle movement testing. An outside GPS antenna is being connected and the signal is being re-radiated through out the laboratory, thus eliminating multiple GPS antennas and providing GPS signal in the laboratories and highbay area. Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) are connected to over 70 PC based test equipment in the test environment. The UPS will prevent any power glitches from effecting our lab equipment and the potential lose of data during testing.

Software Engineering Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The lab is comprised of five Dell PC workstations, two Panasonic Toughbooks and some Dell PC laptops, which could be used for FBCB2 emulators, Spider component emulators, and/or Spider control station prototypes. Permanent Spider tactical equipment will be routed to the lab as they become available from various test sites or production runs. The lab will have in-room GPS capability and the equipment necessary to run over-the-air tests through hardwire cables in order to prevent radio frequency interference/saturation. The lab has ample lockable storage for both hardware and documentation. The lab currently is secured and requires a combination to enter. Future plans will incorporate state-of-the-art security including double identification verification and inventory tracking system.

Elevated Fixed Platform

Lakehurst, NJ

The height of the EFP deck provides a change in ground effect as the aircraft transitions over the platform, resulting in true flight characteristics. Aircraft having gross weights of up to 90,000 pounds can be landed at 2.67 G’s. This is the only site in the world for evaluating RAST equipment and operational procedures.

Jet Blast Deflector (JBD) Test Site

Lakehurst, NJ

The orientation of aircraft carrier catapults requires that the hot exhaust gases of the jet aircraft turning up to full power during launch operations are deflected so as not to cause heat and blast damage to other aircraft, equipment, and personnel on the flight deck. The JBD, which consists of a series of water cooled panels, achieves this purpose. In the flush deck position, it allows an aircraft to be taxied over it and into launch position. As soon as the aircraft is forward of the JBD, the operator actuates the hydraulic system to raise the JBD for aircraft turn up.

Runway Arrested Landing Site

Lakehurst, NJ

Over 3,000 feet of runway are available to build up speed while the aircraft remains on the runway with over 8,000 feet after the arresting gear. This provides RALS with the unique ability to make both high-speed ground roll-in arrestments and fly-in arrestments. The roll-in process is especially useful because it allows safe, repeatable test conditions. If the aircraft should bolter (miss the arresting gear wire), there are 7,000 feet of runway in which the aircraft can either take off or come to a safe stop.

Support Equipment Staging Warehouse

Lakehurst, NJ

Encompasses 127,500 sq. ft. receiving and staging newly acquired SE, ALRE and aviation equipment for fleet initial outfitting. Items are bar-coded and recorded for fleet visibility. It provides an area for Engineering Investigations (EI) and Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) development

Westfield Airfield

Lakehurst, NJ

Breech and Tube Fatigue Test Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility has the capabilities of duplicating firing pressures in its breech mechanism and tube test facilities. It applies cyclic hydraulic pressure to pressurize vessels through either quasi-static or dynamic loading up to 120,000 psi. This allows the rapid evaluation of new concepts, materials, and the establishment of safe firing lives for these components in the laboratory rather than the much more expensive test firing previously necessary. These combined facilities provide the Army with a capability not available anywhere in the free world. It has been used to evaluate components from Great Britain, France and Germany. The knowledge gained by Benet's scientists allows them to develop and apply the same principles to the evaluation of components for other weapon systems as well.

Electronics and Telemetry Engineering and Test Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Electronics Laboratory is a fully equipped facility providing the capability to support electronic product development from highly complex weapon system sensors, mine electronics and electronic warfare equipment to simple electronic devices. Experienced laboratory personnel provide design, fabrication, test, evaluation, troubleshooting and failure analysis assistance for any type of electronic system, subsystem or component. In addition to a full complement of instrumentation, environmental test equipment and a prototype machine shop, the laboratory has a variety of software for design, simulation and analysis of electronic circuits through the media of computer aided design/engineering (CAD/CAE). The laboratory and its personnel are an ideal source of electronic "know how" for small and medium businesses seeking assistance in electronic product development.

Homeland Defense Technology Center

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Description: Picatinny's Homeland Defense Technology Center (HDTC) was designated on 12 March 2003 by the Governor New Jersey as a NJ Center for Homeland Defense and Security Readiness. The ARDEC Homeland Defense Technology Team has acted swiftly to identify and move forward Army technologies that will serve both the military and civilian technological needs imposed by the Global War on Terror (GWOT). The growth of the HDTC is expanding as we exploit our core technological areas which include Sensors, Non-Lethal Systems, Knowledge Management while expanding in our growth areas that include biometrics, rapid prototyping, the defeat of lethal mechanisms, and the access of facilities for training of military and First Responders.

3-D Animation, NL Editing & Special Effects Software Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Visual Effects Team of the Indirect Fire Division is a team of highly skilled people with specialized training and experience in Multimedia Production. Utilizing 3-D Animation, Non-Linear Video Editing and Special Effects Software Lab they are able to videotape, model in 3D, simulate, animate, and digitally photograph existing or conceptual weapon systems or environments. From that, a wide variety of simulations, presentations, posters, displays and brochures can be developed, for analysis or to market programs, show progress, and secure funding.

Jet Car Test Site

Lakehurst, NJ

The deadload weight and speed can be configured to simulate any service condition or energy level. We can perform a variety of tests including seat ejection tests, anti-misting fuel crash tests, barricade tests, and tire and runway traction tests. The site's remote location provides safety and a noise buffer.

Acoustic Technology Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This laboratory contains an electro-magnetic worldwide data collection and field measurement capability in the area of acoustic technology. Outfitted by NASA Langley with a multitude of acoustical data collection equipment and computers, this facility provides a clean, quiet, temperature-controlled and relatively dust free laboratory environment. The Army's signature library for threat systems is maintained in this facility. Digital computers provide the capability for quick-look analysis, data reduction and display. Meteorological data collection instrumentation provides data on atmospheric conditions such as wind speed and direction, barometric readings (pressure), and relative humidity.

Intelligent Sensor-Based Robotics Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The ARDEC Automation and Robotics Laboratory has developed unique facilities and capabilities in the area of advanced sensor based robotics control systems, distributed and cooperating robotics systems, advanced crew station architectures and embedded decision aids, voice/natural language machine vision and impedance control techniques. The laboratory has implemented and demonstrated an intelligent sensor based robotics control system for two Puma 560 robots, instrumented with arm mounted cameras, force/torque sensors, range sensors, IR sensors and tactile sensors, which have the capability to cooperatively execute complex tasks communicated over a voice natural language interface.

Health Physics Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Description: This facility contains two dry cell self shielded irradiators for assessing the effects of high intensity radiation on items of interest. One of the irradiators, known as the Dougherty Box, is a heavily shielded chamber that contains a cobalt-60 source, which emits gamma photons at 1.17 and 1.33 Mev. The other irradiator contains Cs-137, which emits gamma photons at 0.667 Mev. These devices are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for R&D; purposes.

Reliability Physics/Failure Analysis Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Reliability Physics / Failure Analysis Laboratory provides excellent capabilities. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), equipped with both wavelength and energy dispersive spectrometers, enables the observation of microstructures and performs full elemental (both qualitative and quantitative) analysis. The SEM can produce images with resolutions as fine as 4nm. The laboratory contains all the equipment required to sample preparation and surface analysis, including high quality optical microscopes, carbon and gold coaters and a dedicated machine shop. Coupled with other fine facilities in the A&IFD; Laboratories, this lab can perform a number of analytical techniques in the area of semi-conductor failure analysis, such as voltage contrast and current induced failure detection. In the voltage contrast mode, a suspect device can be lowered while being examined with the microscope. All positively charged metalization runs will appear dark while negatively charged runs will appear light. While functioning, isolation of defective areas can easily be accomplished.

Motion Platform

Lakehurst, NJ

The motion platform is a 48-inch, 6-degree-of- freedom motion system obtained from the Naval Training Center, Orlando, Florida, where it was used as a T-2 trainer. The platform has been programmed to provide ship motion characteristics of various class ships during sea states 1 through 5. It can be used for developmental or first article testing of shipboard equipment.

Shipboard Information Systems Laboratory

Lakehurst, NJ

The laboratory has been outfitted with the latest Navy tactical computer equipment, networking hardware and computer displays to support the development and testing of new information systems designed specifically for shipboard use in support of Naval Aviation. The list of hardware assets currently include TAC-3, TAC-4, X-terminals, COTS PCs (running commercial software), Ethernet, FDDI, and ATM.

Parachute Drop Zone

Lakehurst, NJ

The approximately one-mile diameter, circular clear zone is surrounded by undeveloped land. It’s designed for parajump and cargo drop zone training. McGuire Air Force Base squadrons, Army Special Forces, Navy SEALS and the Marine Corps are regular users.

Small Arms Simulator

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The TACOM-ARDEC simulator consists of a high resolution video projector and disc player for projecting images onto a 120-inch screen, a two-channel digital stereo system for audio feedback, an infrared spot tracker to measure the precise aiming point 60 times every second, and two computers for data acquisition and control.

Cryogenics Rework Facility

Lakehurst, NJ

Provides unique overhaul, repair and retrofitting for cryogenics SE for the fleet and Navy Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) customers. Capabilities include specialized testing, certified welding, vacuum insulated tank repair, hydrostatic testing and engine overhaul.

Crystallization Formulation Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Currently the 4-story facility, designed to easily reconfigure existing and/or add new equipment, is equipped with 2 temperature controlled, highly instrumented, interchangeable 50 gallon reactor vessels, high capacity heaters and chillers, 2 high precision liquid feeders, and a solvent recovery system, all of which are PLC controlled through a control system with model based control (MBC) precision recipe control and data acquisition.

Electronics Electro-Mechanical & Prototype Fabrication Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

ARDEC Precision Munitions and Instrumentation Division has been in the prototype development arena since the team’s inception in the early 1950’s. Since then, the concept of "prototype development" has been taken to new levels. Capabilities include surface mount, through-hole technologies and hand finished work. Electro-mechanical, cable and harness assembly are additional services that we provide. Complete electrical test and evaluation are available. The team has expertise in packaging, from commercial to military high G applications, packaging multiple, complex components into a single package effectively and efficiently. Experience also includes packaging other pre-engineered systems.

Environmental Experimental Facilities

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This large complex conducts environmental experimentation and evaluation of material during R&D;, production and qualification programs. It contains numerous vibration equipment (electro-dynamic), loose cargo machines, vertical shock machines, jolt/jumble, Air Guns (2 in, 5 in, 155mm), spin equipment, climatic chambers for temperature/humidity, altitude (low and high pressure), salt spray, 120 ft drop tower, and environmental stress screening (ESS). The facilities are equipped for on-line data monitoring and analysis of the equipment for both explosive and inert testing. This facility has multiple isolated bays to test explosively loaded hardware. The technical staff assists the scientific community in designing experiments and conducting investigations in natural and induced environmental phenomena in order to study their effects on mission items, and to provide inputs to environmental criteria to test methodologies and standards.

Ground Based Hyperspectral Imaging

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

ARDEC is the only DOD agency developing Hyper Spectral (HS) imaging technology to be implemented as HS scopes and binoculars for the warfighter. Development is ongoing for HS scopes that operate in the visible to near infrared (VISNIR), the midwave infrared (MWIR) and the long wave infrared (LWIR). ARDEC's VISNIR prototype system currently operates with full data processing and visualization at a rate of two data cubes per second. The next generation, nearly completed will operate at a twenty to thirty data cubes per second. Unique sensors are being developed in all three spectral ranges that will operate at up to thirty cubes per second. Data rates of ten or more cubes per second is fast enough to replace current optical and infrared scopes that provide no spectral analysis with HS scopes that provide spectral analysis to discern and separate targets from background, greatly aiding the warfighter in detecting and tracking targets. The next generation sensors are being designed to operate without cooling, to use very little electric power, and to weigh little more than optical scopes. ARDEC's method of extracting meaningful information from the massive data cube and displaying it for instantaneous comprehension by the soldier is unique and key to the success of HS imaging.

Ground Combat Simulation Laboratory

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Operations and analysis using the GCS Laboratory can serve several purposes. The primary reason to use the distributed simulation approach is to define system requirements early in the acquisition life cycle. Candidate requirements are encoded into the simulated systems and the systems are used either in a totally simulated combined arms environment or are used in a virtual sense by live troops in real-time. In this way the pertinent requirements for the system are identified during the concept infantry operations definition stage. Thus the systems managers can avoid costly system characteristics that contribute minimally to real-world effectiveness. The GCS Team stands ready to discuss how this form of simulation may best serve your system development and simulation requirements.

High Speed Wind Stream Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

This facility is one of only two high-speed wind stream facilities within the Department of Defense. It simulates the environment that countermeasure flares experience when they are dispensed in a free-fall manner from an aircraft. The facility contains air-handling apparatus that operates in the intermittent blow-down mode. Air speeds are from 0.1 Mach to 0.9 Mach for run times of 100 seconds at the lower speeds. It provides both constant and preprogrammed variable velocity-time profiles. The latter is achieved via a microprocessor-controlled valve. Flares are mounted at the exit nozzle of the air handling system and remotely ignited. State of the art instrumentation measures and analyzes burn times, spectra and IR emission.

Laser Engineered Net Shape Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Laser Engineered Net Shape (LENS) is an additive manufacturing technology that uses laser power and metal powder to repair, or build, solid metal components. Components can be fabricated or repaired directly from CAD data or through a teach and learn process. Various deposition heads are available to perform repairs on the outside of a work piece or inside diameter. Depositions are preformed using a 3kW Ytterbium Fiber Laser in a work area of 3'x5'x3'.

Metrology and Calibration Lab

Lakehurst, NJ

Provides electronic/electrical and physical/dimensional calibration services in environmentally controlled facilities and assures that the services are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The lab is a comprehensive Type III calibration facility

Mobile Instrumentation and Telemetry Receive Station

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Precision Munitions and Instrumentation Division operates a number of mobile instrumentation and telemetry receiving stations. One is located at Picatinny Arsenal and there are additional units stationed at Yuma Proving Grounds and White Sands Missile Range. The mobile vans are outfitted with digital data recorders, analog tape recorders and an array of receiving and test equipment which enable us to receive telemetry signals and instrument various test scenarios. With our fleet of mobile instrumentation vans we can support a wide range of testing requirements.

RADAR Engineering Facility

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The resources of the Radar Velocimeter Team include a radar engineering Facility located at TACOM-ARDEC and a Mobile Field Unit for use at the Test ranges. These resources provide the customer with: (1) High power remote radar instrumentation Test Lab, (2) Radar System and instrumentation Van that is tempest approved and instrumented with state of the art recording, communication, data analysis equipment and ancillary field power support, (3) Mobile field Unit that quickly installed and readily adaptable to local or remote operation over any terrain, (4) Independent test measurement and evaluation support to the customer, (5) Upgraded Velocimeter Instrumentation System that produces on-site data evaluation capabilities. The Radar Engineering Facility provides the means of developing, testing, maintaining, servicing, calibrating and evaluating radar measurement systems.

Support Equipment Mechanical Lab

Lakehurst, NJ

The Support Equipment Mechanical Laboratory provides the means to conduct operational effectiveness, suitability, and supportability evaluations of fixed and rotary wing, common and peculiar, aviation support equipment required for airframe/aircraft maintenance and servicing, aircraft and armament handling, and non-destructive test and inspection of aircraft components. The systems tested include mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems

Wind Measuring and Information Systems (WMIS) Laboratory

Lakehurst, NJ

The WMIS laboratory provides support for a broad range of WMIS and Visual Landing Aid (VLA) systems for direct Fleet support. The WMIS laboratory includes a stabilized glide slope indicator system (SGSI), a Fresnel lens optical landing system (FLOLS), a horizontal reference set (HRS), and an air capable shipboard wind measuring and indicating system. These systems combine in a temperature-controlled environment to provide the laboratory with the capability of simulating and testing for engineering investigations of any WMIS related fleet problems.