Austere Field Test Areas

The field test areas are required to assess weapon systems designed to operate in the austere environment. Specifically, ground operations as well as takeoff and landing performance are assessed. Due to the unique environment close to Edwards Air Force Base, sites have been surveyed capable of testing all foreseeable austere test requirements. California Bearing Ratios from 6 on up are available throughout most of the year (late winter and spring usually close most of the sites due to water saturation). A majority of the areas are also coverable by range cinetheodolites for instrumentation purposes.