Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, New Mexico

This facility is one of the foremost explosives and explosion effects research laboratories in the nation. In its 32 square miles of restricted terrain, all sorts of things have been blown up under intense scientific scrutiny. Facilities include a hypervelocity light gas gun, a 20-foot diameter shock tube, and a rocket sled ordnance test track. Tests involving mock-ups of airplanes bombed by terrorists have been performed, along with much defense-related explosive research. Several of the test ranges are set up to support various large- and small-scale explosive experiments, fragment projector experiments, warhead characterization tests, large and small caliber gun firings such as fuse evaluations, insensitive munitions testing, target response to single and multiple impacts, vulnerability assessment experiments, fragment or debris distribution studies, tactical rocket firings, vehicle and running engine experiments, and other specialized experiments. These test sites are located in terrain-sheltered areas that limit fragment dispersion, blast effects, noise, and provide security for proprietary or classified tests. All test sites are equipped with proximate field facilities with adequate instrumentation, bunkers, personnel safety shelters, and electrical power as may be required for field testing.The site is administered by the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and some 40 companies and state agencies are involved, including the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and the National Labs.