Army researchers test around the world in 26 chambers

By ECBC CommunicationsApril 30, 2013

Dust Test
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Medium Temparture Humidity Chamber
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Large equipment is tested in walk-in chamber
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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- In a given work day Audrey Moberly and Greg Carter can visit the tropics, freeze in the Arctic or survive a sandstorm.

As engineers within the Environmental and Field Test Branch, they spend time walking in and out of the branch's 26 environmental test chambers, assisting groups within and outside of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's chemical and biological center to ensure military equipment-from backpacks to masks and detectors-can withstand any natural elements.

"We are here to do the hard testing to ensure that the equipment being sent to our Warfighters can last through harsh environmental elements," said Moberly, who has been with the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center for 17 years. The testing chambers include temperature/humidity, salt fog, sand/dust, solar radiation, altitude, hot environmental, cold environmental and rain. The temperature chambers range from negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 300 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity levels ranging from two to nearly 100 percent.

"There are many elemental factors that engineers need to be mindful of when creating and designing a product. It goes beyond just the climate of the area where they will be using the equipment," said Moberly.

"We have to account for the travel to the location. For example, will be driven through a mountain terrain in a box at the back of a hot vehicle for a couple hours, or maybe a small cold space? Our facilities simulate everything from the final destination climate to any natural factors that could pose a problem while traveling there."

The group uses shock, vibration and rough-handling testing to simulate the travel of equipment. "We are able to test secured steady state or transient vibration and loose cargo tests," said Carter.

Vibration testing is controlled in a separate room with computer analog equipment where the engineers can observe the testing environment, and adjust conditions. The group can videotape testing for future documentation. The vibration testing complies with the American Society for Testing of Materials Test Standards and Military, Federal and Commercial test standards. In case a precious piece of equipment falls, EFTB's Drop Tests can be conducted from up to 40 feet. EFTB can also conduct Altitude Testing, which is a low pressure test that can be conducted up to 45,000 feet. One version of the Altitude Test is a Rapid Decompression to simulate a sudden loss of pressure in an aircraft. EFT's testing facilities have been used to test the Joint Service Aircrew Mask, Joint Service General Purpose Mask, RV vehicles for the Joint Program Manager for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Contamination Avoidance, and many others.

"We support other teams and branches with testing their equipment. Our space is always here," Moberly said. Sometimes the space might be used, but not the chambers.

Recently, members of ECBC's Test, Reliability and Engineering Branch and the Project Manager for Force Protection utilized the large space in EFT's warehouse to test their Lighting Kit Motion Detectors. The group needed a large space with enough room for someone to run around and test the sensors, a task that is typically done outdoors. Due to cold weather the group was still able to conduct the testing they needed indoors.

As resources change, equipment needs to be sent to Warfighters faster and be more durable for whatever comes. Environmental and Harsh Testing complies with Military Standard 810G of Materials Test Standards. "We can replicate almost any environment on Earth," said Moberly. "Just tell us where you want to go.

Related Links:

Army Technology Live

Research, Development and Engineering Command

Edgewood Chemical Biological Center