Electronic Proving Ground, AZ (ARIZONA) - U.S. Army Bases - History, Locations, Maps & Photos (2024)

The Electronic Proving Ground is located in Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

Electronic Proving Ground, AZ (ARIZONA) - U.S. Army Bases - History, Locations, Maps & Photos (1)

A part of the Department of Defense Major Range and Test Facility Base, it is also the premier organization of the Army for testing command, communications, control, computer, and intelligence systems and equipment. Because of the extent of its duties, the Electronic Proving Ground can access 76,000 acres of Fort Huachuca and other government- and private-owned land. To continue their work, the Electronic Proving Ground also has offices in Fort Lewis in Washington and Fort Hood in Texas.

Since the Electronic Proving Ground is located remotely, situated in a spot without radio-frequency interference, it is the primary Army Test Center for avionics systems and unmanned vehicles. The Virtual Electronic Proving Ground makes it possible to test a combination of constructive, virtual, and real environments. During the 49 years that the Electronic Proving Ground was in operation, it handled the testings for majority of the electronic and computer systems of the Army.

Test facilities

The test facilities developed by the Electronic Proving Ground contained a number of devices that allowed for distributed-systems test control, acquisition of test data, test stimulation, virtual jamming, and embedded instrumentation. To improve on the capabilities of unmanned and micro aerial vehicles, testing of Global Positions Systems, propagation simulation, and battlefield emulation, and other training activities ensued. To ensure that all data from various types of ground and air systems will be properly collected and tracked, Electronic Proving Ground maintains a full range of services, including a full spectrum for electronics testing. Test facilities at the Electronic Proving Ground include the: C4I test bed, the antenna test facility, environmental test facility, fabrication facility, TEMPEST/EMC/EMI test facility, test control facility, COSPAS-SARSAT test facility, GPS test facility-antenna test facility, and information assurance test facility.

Map of Electronic Proving Ground

Tests run

Some of the major electronic warfare systems and C41 that the army has and were tested in the Electronic Proving Ground include: the Stryker, Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and below; the Joint Tactical Radio System, Army Airborne Command and Control System; integrated infrared countermeasures, Enhanced Position Location Reporting System; Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System; UAVs; Prophets (signals intelligence and electronic warfare system), and Global Positioning System.

US Army Developmental Test Command

The US Army Developmental Test Command is the primary organization in charge of developmental testing of equipment and weapons in the Army. The Developmental Test Command holds its headquarters at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and is subordinate to the US Army Test and Evaluation Command, which holds office in Alexandria in Virginia. Over 7,000 professionals, engineers, technicians, scientists, and administrators make up the Developmental Test Command, geared towards ensuring that all equipment to be used by soldiers today in combat give them a decisive edge on the field. In the Department of Defense, the Developmental Test Command boasts of having the largest and most varied of testing capabilities, testing every military hardware out there under precise conditions and diverse environments on various test courses and instrumented ranges.

Apart from the Electronic Proving Ground, the Developmental Test Command operates other test centers, such as the Aberdeen Test Center in Maryland, the Cold Regions Test Center in Alaska, the Redstone Test Center in Alabama, the Tropic Regions Test Center in Arizona, the West Desert Test Center in Utah, the White Sands Test Center in New Mexico, and the Yuma Proving Ground also in Arizona.

US Army Test and Evaluation Command

The US Army Test and Evaluation Command spearheads the testing of all weapons and equipment, of which the Developmental Test Command, the one responsible for the Electronic Proving Ground, is part of. The Army Test and Evaluation Command was established by the Vice Chief of Staff in 1999 with the primary aim of ensuring that all soldiers go to war with equipment and weapons that work. Aside from the Developmental Test Command, the Army Test and Evaluation Command is also in charge of the Army Evaluation Center and the Army Operational Test Command.

Fort Huachuca

A US Army installation under the management of the US Army Installation Management Command, Fort Huachuca is situated in Cochise County in the southeastern portions of Arizona, sitting around 15 miles away north of the Mexican borders. Established in 1913, Fort Huachuca was the base for 20 years for the Buffalo Soldiers, also known as the 10th Cavalry Regiment. During the peak of World War II, Fort Huachuca had enough quarters to accommodate over 25,000 men. In 2010, the fort merely had about 6,500 active soldiers compared to what it had more than 50 years ago, but was joined today by 7,400 family members, and 5,000 civilians. During peak hours of operation, which is between 7am and 4pm on Mondays to Fridays, the fort sees more than 18,000 people, making it a very busy transient installation.

Located east and south of the installation is Sierra Vista, which joined Fort Huachuca in 1971, and to the east and north is Huachuca City. Major tenants in Fort Huachuca include the US Army Intelligence Center and the NETCOM/9th Signal Command (A). The Libby Army Airfield is also located on-site and shares the same runway with the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. When the need arises, the Libby Army Airfield is also included in the list of alternative landing spots for the space shuttle. Besides the Electronic Proving Ground, the Army Military Auxiliary Radio System, the Joint Interoperability Test Command, and the Information systems Engineering Command call Fort Huachuca home.

Some of the other facilities located at Fort Huachuca include a radar-equipped aerostat maintained for the use of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The aerostat is located northeast of the Garden Canyon and when in use, helps the Drug Enforcement Administration in drug interdiction missions by detecting low-flying aircrafts attempting to enter US borders. Then theres also the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Centers Western Division who call the fort home, although the division is based at the Rosecrans Air National Guard Bases 139th Airlift Wing in Saint Joseph in Missouri.

Video – Electronic Proving Ground Mission

Electronic Proving Ground, AZ (ARIZONA) - U.S. Army Bases - History, Locations, Maps & Photos (2024)

FAQs

How close is Fort Huachuca to the Mexican border? ›

Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history.

What is Ft. Huachuca known for? ›

In 1967, Fort Huachuca became the headquarters of the U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command, which became the U.S. Army Communications Command in 1973, and U.S. Army Information Systems Command in 1984. It is now known as NETCOM after the army dropped the 9th Signal Command (Army) designation on 1 October 2011.

Who gets stationed at Fort Huachuca? ›

The major units assigned to Fort Huachuca include the 9th Army Signal Command, the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade, the United States Army Intelligence Center, and the headquarters for the Army Military Affiliate Radio System.

Where is the electronic proving ground? ›

EPG is the Army's Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) Developmental Tester headquartered at Fort (FT) Huachuca, Arizona.

What is the closest town to Fort Huachuca? ›

Sierra Vista, AZ

Sierra Vista is only five miles from the Fort Huachuca military installation, and the city recently annexed the fort into its city limits. Many of its services are provided for military personnel and their families.

What city in Arizona is closest to the Mexican border? ›

San Luis, Arizona, is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona, it is located at the Southwest corner of the State of Arizona and right at the border with San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico and California.

Was Fort Huachuca in world War 2? ›

More than 30,000 Black Soldiers, men and women, passed through Fort Huachuca on their way to service in every theater of the War between 1941 and 1945. At war's end, the Fort was declared surplus and closed briefly. It was reactivated in 1950 as a training area for Army Engineers.

What does Huachuca mean in Indian? ›

The word “Huachuca” comes from a later Indian tribe, the Sobaipuri, who used it in describing their village at the base of the mountains. It is usually translated as “Place of thunder,” a notable feature of summer month in the area.

Can civilians get onto Fort Huachuca? ›

Visitors seeking short-term access (less than 30 days) do not require a government sponsor. Non-sponsored personnel will receive a 30-day access badge. Cochise County residents who successfully complete the background check are eligible for a one-year access badge.

What is the big army base in Arizona? ›

Goldwater Range. The Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) is a military training range located in southwestern Arizona. It is one of the largest military training ranges in the world, covering an area of over 1.9 million acres.

Where do most active duty Army get stationed? ›

Of these, 1.14 million (3,294) were active-duty troops across the 50 states and Washington, DC. Roughly 60% of these troops were in five states: California (161,052 troops), Virginia (127,020), Texas (110,582), North Carolina (90,841), and Florida (65,159).

How do I get access to proving grounds? ›

Proving Grounds is a 24 hour event that runs monthly immediately after Conquest. To unlock the event, it requires at least 4 million Galactic Power and tiers require Relic 3+ characters. Each tier includes unique modifiers and rewards 20 shards/blueprints for characters/ships that were previously rewarded in Conquest.

What is a proving ground used for? ›

proving ground, area used for testing devices and equipment, usually, though not always, military. Testing, in general, has for its purpose the determination of the durability and probable life of a piece of equipment.

How do I activate proving grounds? ›

Players may enter the proving grounds by speaking with either Trial Master Rotun inside the Temple of the White Tiger in Kun-Lai Summit, or Warmaster Zog (Horde) / Lieutenant Thorn (Alliance) in your faction Garrison or with any class trainer.

How close is Sierra Vista to the Mexican border? ›

Sierra Vista has a long and deep relationship with Sonora, Mexico. Located about 20 miles north of the border, the nearest port of entry is at Naco, a 45 mile drive. The community of Naco, Sonora is a small pass-through for those headed south but the port of entry generally yields a quick crossing due to light use.

Is Sierra Vista a border town? ›

Sierra Vista has a population of about 45,000 and is located about 20 miles from the US border with Mexico. Sierra Vista doesn't feel much like a border town. It's a military community home to the Army installation Fort Huachuca which is the home of the Buffalo Soldier.

What city in Mexico is closest to the US border? ›

The Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Tecate, Mexicali and Ciudad Juárez are connected directly to U.S. via international highways, airports and a deep sea port in Ensenada.

Can I drive through Fort Huachuca? ›

Vehicle registration is required on Fort Huachuca. Registration is conducted at the Welcome Center as you enter the Main Gate. Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. Required documents are vehicle registration, proof of insurance, ID card and driver's license.

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