Ballistic, Aero-Optics and Materials Range

The BAM Range is a state-of-the-art research and development facility designed to evaluate high- energy laser propagation, hypersonic aerothermodynamics and hypervelocity impact response of materials and structures. It features a fully enclosed test channel with controllable atmospheric conditions, making it unique in the U.S. upon the completion of Phase II.  

OVERALL ATTRIBUTES

• Phase I: 
  • 257 meters operational length for hypersonics 
  • 419 meters operational length for directed energy  
• Controllable atmosphere with simulated weather effects  
• Modern instrumentation  
• Integration with advanced modeling and simulation techniques   

CAPABILITIES  

There are two central features of the BAM Range that will allow this facility to bridge a gap in U.S. research existing between lab-scale experiments and open-range testing.  

The first feature includes novel diagnostic equipment and techniques which will enable precise measurements in a well-controlled and well-characterized environment. The second feature is the extended scale which will allow for large-scale prototype testing before advancing to more expensive full-scale system testing.  

The BAM Range facilitates research on the impact of weather effects, such as precipitation, particulates and air turbulence on the transmission of high-energy lasers and battlefield communications. Additionally, it allows for the characterization of these effects on realistic hypersonic vehicle materials and geometries. The hypervelocity impact capability supports the development of new armor and other protective materials systems.