Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Test Facility

The Blacktail Canyon Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Test Team applies over eighty years of combined E3 experience of testing of systems various stages in development from early research and development through deployment and follow on system modification stages.

E3 Test Facility (E3TF) qualified staff include Certified TEMPEST Professional Level II and International Association of Radio and Telecommunication Engineers (iNARTE) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineer. E3TF conducts electromagnetic Interference (EMI), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), TEMPEST/NONSTOP, radio frequency electromagnetic environment (RF-EME), personnel level electrostatic discharge, grounding and bonding and other radio frequency (RF) related tests on sophisticated electronic systems. If requested, we are able to provide engineering and troubleshooting support to solve E3 issues. The E3TF is the Army’s TEMPEST/NONSTOP tester.

The Blacktail Canyon E3 Team is also available to provide technical consultation to programs to provide input to specifications, review procurement documentations and test plans and to monitor testing.

Test Chambers

Chamber 1:

  • 35′ x 14′ x 14′ (LxWxH) (useable volume)
  • Anechoic chamber provides 120-dB RF isolation
  • Door size: 12′ x 14′ WxH and personnel 4’x7’ WxH; capable of accommodating military gear ranging from manpack portable equipment to vehicles such as HMMWV, M113, Suburbans, and sheltered systems
  • Projects: MTS, NOCV-V, ENM, Anti-lock brake system 5-ton tactical Tractor, Non-Gasoline Burning Outboard Engine (NBOE), Foliage Penetrating Radar, Dual Mounted Stinger site, ADVON, CREW 2.1 CVRJ, Land Warrior- Strike, Xavier 400

Chamber 2:

  • 22′ x 12′ x 9′ LxWxH (useable volume)
  • Anechoic chamber provides 100-dB of RF isolation
  • Door size: personnel 4′ x 7′ WxH; capable of accommodating compact man portable military equipment
  • Projects: CREW 2.1 MMBJ, GB-GRAM, DASH, Primary Small Item TEMPEST Chamber, EMUT (AN/PSC-5), TOCNET, Mounted Warrior Vehicle Installation Kit, Ground Mobile Radio

Chamber 3:

  • 16′ x 12′ x 12′ LxWxH (useable volume)
  • Anechoic chamber provides 100-dB of isolation
  • Door size: personnel 4′ x 7’ WxH; capable of accommodating smaller, bench-size test items such as computer systems and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
  • Projects: PIC, DAGR, TMS, PLGR, MAGR2000, MC9610, CAISI, Perimeter Camera System

Chamber 4:

  • 56′ x 20′ x 17′ LxWxH (useable volume)
  • Anechoic chamber provides 120-dB of RF isolation
  • Door size: vehicle 18′ x 18′ WxH and personnel 2 – 4′ X 7′ WxH; capable of accommodating large vehicles such as tanks, armored personal carriers, helicopters, and multiple shelters or large platform systems
  • Projects: Prophet, Prophet MRAP RG-33, Stryker (10 variants), BSN, ISYSCON, TERPES, Canadian LAVIII, NBC, Fox, AH-64

Test Areas

Blacktail E3TF/Blacktail Canyon

Electromagnetically quiet open air test sites

Functionality

Specific Test Functionality

  • Characterize systems in their realistic battlefield electromagnetic environment from intentional and unintentional RF Sources
  • Realistically stimulate systems under test (SUT) using EPG’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, & Intelligence (C4I) ToolKit
  • Realistically stimulate all systems for realistic testing
  • TEMPEST/NONSTOP
  • Identify and assess anomalies. If requested provide recommendation for fixes or workarounds for the Warfighter

Environment

EPG Testing Environment

  • Controlled Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Elevation: 4,000 ft. to 8,000 ft.
  • Average Rainfall: 16 inches
  • Average Temperature: 50/73
  • Year-round Testing
  • Fort Huachuca: 76,866 acres
  • Military Electromagnetic Range: 2500 square miles
  • Wilcox Dry Lake: 23,000 acres
  • Restricted Airspace: 964 square miles
  • Full Meteorological and Geodetic Survey Support Available

Capabilities

Testing capabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • MIL-STD-461
  • MIL-STD-464
  • RTCA/DO-160
  • ADS-37A-PRF
  • NTISSAM TEMPEST/1-92
  • NTISSAM TEMPEST/1-93
  • CNSSAM TEMPEST 01-023

On Site

E3 Tests Accomplished on Site

  • Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
    • Radio Frequency – Electromagnetic Environment (RF-EME)
    • Personal Electrostatic Discharge (PESD)
    • Electromagnetic Radiation Hazards (EMRADHAZ)
    • Grounding and Bonding
  • TEMPEST, NONSTOP, and Unintentional Emissions
  • Bench tests
  • Platform tests
  • System of Systems (SoS)
  • Distributed Systems
  • Exploitation testing
  • Single system tests

Systems Tested

  • Airborne, ground-based, waterborne platforms
  • Distributed systems of systems
  • Network-centric systems
  • Command & control systems
  • Communications & computer systems
  • GPS/Navigation systems
  • IEW systems
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