Test Range Services

TRAX International Corporation has supported government test facilities and ranges for over 20 years at Yuma Proving Ground, White Sands Missile Range and Electronic Proving Ground. We have approximately 1,500 range support personnel on TRAX or joint venture contracts. We are involved in the complete daily operation of these large test facilities and their support organizations. Our services range from maintaining Army tactical vehicles, installing and maintaining major computer networks, operating range instrumentation systems and environmental test facilities, and performing complex engineering services to developing final test reports on leading Department of Defense (DoD) systems and technologies. We are keenly aware of the environmental and safety issues related to hazardous testing in remote areas.

Our services include the following:

Operation and Maintenance of Photooptical Instrumentation
Our Optics Group provides the operation and maintenance of the Kineto Tracking Mounts, high-speed and video camera systems, and other imaging-gathering equipment to track fast-moving objects during test. The range optical measurements function requires the observation and recording of projectiles, submunitions, illuminating canisters and other items. Video cameras are used to record scientific data on test-related items and to document and measure test events at various test sites. Photooptical imaging support involves electronic and photographic imaging by both high-speed video and digital camera equipment to record high-quality and accurate visual and metric data at the target.   Video Data Reduction services involve extracting metric and time data to produce time history and motion data. The Geographical Information System (GIS) function requires planning, design, development, implementation, installation, networking and programming to provide digital mapping and terrain data for test users.

Operation and Maintenance of Telemetry and Range Timing Instrumentation
Our telemetry personnel operate and maintain both fixed and mobile telemetry stations required to provide four simultaneously telemetered data streams for support of range tests. Instrumentation supported includes an assortment of antennas, receivers, synchronizers, multicouplers, decommutators and recorders. TRAX personnel also operate a fixed master station and a secondary fixed site that provide Global Positioning System (GPS)-based, broadcast range time throughout the range to provide a time reference for test data correlation. We also operate and maintain several dozen custom-built, range-time receivers that support individual tests positioned throughout the 1,300 square mile range. The receivers are incorporated into a system that provides a common time stamp for test data at individual test sites and instrumentation suites. In addition, timing personnel provide equipment training and quality assurance for those tests that opt to receive GPS time directly into their own receivers. All timing signals are referenced and traceable to the United states (U.S.) Naval Observatory. TRAX Timing Section personnel take a direct role in test instrumentation setup and system checks and offer analysis services for oscillator accuracy and GPS receiver performance. They are ultimately responsible for establishing a best timing practice throughout the range.

Operation and Maintenance of Radar and Ballistics Instrumentation
Our personnel operate and maintain AN/FPS-25, Nike Digital Instrumentation Radars (NIDIRs), Weibel doppler tracking and modified HAWK radars,. and special-purpose mortar tracking system (MTS) for both ground and airborne tests. Support is provided at permanent and mobile off-site test locations. Operations include setup and data collection in support of test programs. Maintenance encompasses preventive maintenance and minor repair of radars and associated equipment, vans and trailers. TRAX operates fixed and mobile radar (and ancillary systems) to produce radar data such as TSPI, surveillance and target motion resolution (TMR). Data is produced for on-site recording and real-time transmission to Range Operations Control Centers. We support specific test missions by modifying, adjusting and selecting appropriate radar equipment. Data may be the direct product of the radar, or it may be reformatted, correlated and retransmitted to be integrated with other instrumentation data. Major repairs and depot-level maintenance of instrumentation radar are accomplished through the Instrumentation Radar Support Program (IRSP) for replacement parts and services.

Operation and Maintenance of Remote-Control, Full-Scale Ground Targets and Foreign Technology Threat Systems
Our Targets Group operates and maintains stationary and moving targets, to include foreign, surrogate/hybrid and domestic threat target vehicles. Support involves the operation and maintenance of moving target equipment, remote-control instrumentation and signature simulation equipment. Other tasks include maintaining a supply of spares, repair of the equipment, periodic inspections, preventative maintenance and authorized modifications and upgrades.

Ordnance Operations and Management
TRAX provides ammunition logistics, ammunition assembly plant support, conditioning chamber operations, ammunition recovery and artillery testing. Conditioning chambers support is required to prepare ammunition for environmental testing. Ammunition recovery operations include locating and detecting ordnance items for purposes of evaluation and disposal. The operation of artillery weapons (fixed, towed and self-propelled) is required to perform production acceptance and related test operations for munitions and gun systems.

Test Infrastructure Construction
Experienced civil engineers are able to plan, design, and construct infrastructure systems to support and create new testing site locations around the globe. Their main tasks include architectural design, structural analysis, project management, budgeting and construction labors.

Geographic Information System
TRAX engineers work to develop Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology used for scientific investigations, resource management, logistics and surveys in support of civil work and military activities such as site characterization and environmental testing. Currently, the GIS crew is creating a worldwide database consisting of maps showing environmental data, use of land, vegetation, resources available, topography, population, hydrology, climate and others, in order to provide physical and cultural reference on specific sites such as MANPACK trails, firing ranges and test locations.

Other Range Services
TRAX also provides Range Engineering, Test Management, Tropic Test and Automotive Support for test ranges.