AUTEC - Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center
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The U.S. Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) is an instrumented laboratory that performs integrated three-dimensional hydrospace/aerospace trajectory measurements covering the entire spectrum of undersea simulated warfare: calibration, classifications, detection, and destruction. Its vital mission is to assist in establishing and maintaining naval supremacy of the United States through testing, evaluation, and underwater research.
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[edit] General information
The sophisticated facility includes three test ranges: the Weapons Range, the Acoustic Range, and the FORACS Range, all located in the "Tongue of the ocean" (TOTO), a deep-ocean basin approximately 100 nautical miles (190 km) long by 15 nautical miles (28 km) wide that varies in depth down to 6,000 feet (1,800 m). The main AUTEC support base and downrange tracking stations are on Andros Island in the Bahamas, just west of Nassau and about 180 nautical miles (333 km) southeast of West Palm Beach, Florida.
[edit] Deep water range
The deep water Weapons Range lies roughly parallel to the east coast of Andros Island. It is the largest and most versatile of the AUTEC ranges, and it is capable of tracking up to 63 in-water objects simultaneously. The range is supported by the Main Base (Site 1) and various smaller sites located to the south along the east coast of Andros Island. AN/WQC-2A Sonar Communications Sets and Bi-Directional Communications Nodes provide underwater voice communications for mobile target and emergency command signal coverage, while HF, UHF, and VHF radio communications are available over the entire range.[1]
[edit] In-air tracking
In-air tracking is provided by radars and various other in-air tracking systems such as LATR, the Hyperbolic In-Air Tracking System (HITS), and DGPS. These in-air systems cover the AUTEC Weapons Range up to a distance of 500 nautical miles (930 kilometers) from Site 1 and a height of 70,000 feet (21,000 m). Surveillance radars operate to support air and surface safety.[1]
[edit] In-water tracking
The in-water portion of the Weapons Range covers 500 square nautical miles (1,700 km²). This range can be divided into two distinct tracking areas consisting of roughly 250 square nautical miles (850 km²). This flexibility allows for the unique operation of two distinct individual exercises. Use of the total range is referred to as "Weapons Range", while dividing the range into two distinct portions, the northern section is referred to as "Weapons Range North", whereas the southern portion is called "Weapons Range South".[1]
[edit] Electronic Warfare Threat Simulator
EWTS is a real-time system that will generate complex, dynamic, electromagnetic signal environments at the radio frequency (RF) level. With this system, AUTEC will offer capabilities to test different platform receivers in an open-air, over-the-water range. The system consists of a radar simulator, pedestal and controller, antennas, high-power amplifiers, calibration equipment, and an operator workstation. The system is housed in an air-conditioned radome and located on a 74-foot (23 m) tower.[2]
[edit] Tasks
The typical task performed at AUTEC is testing and certifying the proficiency of U.S. Navy submarine captains and their crews, as well as the accuracy of their undersea weapons.
[edit] See also
- United States Navy
- Naval Sea Systems Command
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center
- Andros, Bahamas
- Chickcharney
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c The AUTEC Weapons Range. Department of the Navy. Accessed 2007-09-12.
- ^ The Electronic Warfare Threat Simulator. Department of the Navy. Accessed 2007-09-12.
