EPG Test Services
The U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground (USAEPG) implements the “Test-Fix-Test” method (plan, test, evaluate, fix, and repeat)- an iterative Test and Evaluation (T&E) approach in which systems are deliberately stressed under controlled conditions, deficiencies are identified and analyzed, engineering or software corrections are applied, and the updated configuration is immediately re-tested to confirm successful fixes and analyze for new issues. As a designated Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) installation under the Army Test and Evaluation Command, this method is critical in the successful developmental testing for the U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, Electronic Warfare, tactical networking, and positioning/navigation/timing systems. Supporting rapid growth developmental testing and regression cycles allows program managers to inject critical software patches or hardware modifications, re-verify performance under heavy electromagnetic attack or jamming, and adjust fire as needed; all while adhering to the MRTFB composition and direct-cost-only funding rules that keep repeated testing affordable and available for the Army and joint users.
The Antenna Test Facility (ATF) is composed of 7 main facilities, including numerous sub-facilities, sprawling over 400 acres. The ATF provides an ideal outdoor environment for RF testing due to extremely low humidity and Arizona State Bill 1387, preserving radio frequency (RF) spectrum purity. The ATF measures antenna systems ranging in size from several centimeters to 13 meters in diameter. Antenna systems can be measured as a stand-alone system or mounted on a ground plane/vehicle, over a frequency spectrum of 20 megahertz (MHz) to 90 gigahertz (GHz).
The Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Cyber Defense (C5) and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Test Bed (TB) provides a relevant environment to assess legacy, current force and future technologies. Its’ mission is to provide quality, efficient, timely, value-added test services including comprehensive C5ISR, SOS and network performance testing. The C5ISR TB takes pride in providing acute detailed information and documented test results, providing our customers with data to make informed production decisions and the best possible end-product for the Warfighter.
The Blacktail Canyon Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Test Facility (E3TF) conducts Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Electromagnetic Capability (EMC), TEMPEST/NONSTOP, Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Environment (RF-EME), personnel level electrostatic discharge, grounding and bonding, Electronic Attack (EA) and other radio frequency (RF) related tests on sophisticated electronic systems. Anomalies are noted and upon request, investigated with rendered solutions made available for problem areas. The E3TF is the Army’s TEMPEST/NONSTOP tester.
The Environmental Test Facility (ETF) can provide complete climatic and dynamic test capabilities that meet military and other environmental standards. The ETF is well equipped with a variety of test support equipment including climatic chambers with capacities from 2 to 5,830 cubic feet (ft³) and can provide real-time or post-test analyses. Environmental subject matter technical experts are available to assess the performance capability/suitability of commercial contractor facilities and test chambers for required first article acceptance tests.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) Test Facility can perform a variety of tests using the GPS Instrumentation Suite (GPSIS), the GPS Dynamic Array Test Facility, and Fort Huachuca’s 80,000 acres of test range. EPG is well known and respected in the GPS Test community with 30 years of experience. EPG is the only emergency beacon certification facility in the United States and is the only certification facility in the Western Hemisphere. These beacon tests support Cosmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Avariynich Sudov – Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (COSPAS-SARSAT), an international humanitarian satellite-based search and rescue system.
The network is the backbone of an information system. Whether your system is for intelligence, ground combat or MWR-related, it is only as reliable as its’ network. EPG has a variety of testing services to evaluate your network regardless of the transport technology. We have the customer-centric expertise to test hard-wired, radio-based, satellite or microwave. Testing your network at EPG takes advantage of our expertise and unique test range only found here at Fort Huachuca. Testing your network at EPG substantially enhances your network’s reliability wherever it is deployed when it matters most.