Notes on Army Transformation Initiative

Army Transformation Initiative and Electronic Warfare Capabilities

Consistency with Defense Directives

  • The Army Transformation Initiative aligns with the Secretary of Defense's directives on army transformation and acquisition reform.
  • These directives emphasize prioritizing investments in existing resources to enhance electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.

Importance of Electronic Warfare

  • Lessons from the conflict in Ukraine highlight the critical role of offensive and defensive EW capabilities.
  • Bolstering EW test and evaluation capabilities is essential for manufacturing advanced, innovative combat power.
  • Testing and evaluation are crucial to ensure the delivery of the most advanced warfare fighting capabilities.

Concerns about Reduction in Force at ATEC

  • The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) is planning a reduction in force (RIF) that disproportionately impacts the Electronic Proving Ground (EPG) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
  • EPG is the army's primary electronic warfare (EW) test and evaluation center.

Unique Capabilities of the Electronic Proving Ground (EPG)

  • Unique Geography: EPG is located in a bowl surrounded by mountains, providing a unique environment for electronic warfare testing.
  • Ideal Climate: Fort Huachuca benefits from over 320 flying days per year.
  • Federally Protected Airspace: EPG benefits from federally protected airspace, to minimize interference during aggressive offensive EW jamming tests.
  • The existing ATEC proving ground simply cannot provide the same environments outside of Fort Huachuca.
  • The geography of the Electronic Proving Ground allows for tests that cannot be conducted elsewhere.
  • Surface to Air Missile Simulation Example:
    • At Yuma Proving Ground, simulating a surface-to-air missile system is limited to approximately 0.10.1 watts of power output to avoid interference with communication systems around Phoenix.
    • At the Electronic Proving Ground, the power output can be an order of magnitude or more higher due to the unique geographical isolation.

Potential Consequences of RIF at EPG

  • If the RIF at EPG is carried out, the army may lose the capability to conduct necessary developmental testing on EW systems.
  • This could hinder the ability to train soldiers and pilots to effectively use these systems to counter adversaries.
  • Disproportionately cutting electronic warfare test centers could harm the army's overall electronic warfare capability.

Army's Perspective and Alternative Testing Locations

  • The Army is testing EW capabilities in various locations worldwide.
  • The Army is assessing areas with excess capacity that are not being fully utilized.
  • Plans include enhanced testing at the John Or Fox Range.
  • Adding drones and FPV drones.

Senator Kelly's Brother

  • Mark Kelly's brother, also his twin, a former naval fighter pilot and astronaut, was present in the audience.