Yuma Test Center X-ray shop serves as hub for simulation analysis

YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz. — The mission workforce at the Yuma Test Center evaluates how weather and other environmental factors affect items under developmental testing. At YTC, elements such as rough cargo handling, vibration, and weather extremes can all be replicated by the Simulation Branch in the Metrology and Simulation Division within the Ground Combat Directorate.

Within the branch is the Radiography Shop, which serves as the main hub of safety for simulated environments testing. After enduring each simulated environment, test items are taken to radiography to have their internal components X-rayed to analyze how the simulation affected the test item. This process is known as non-destructive radiography.

“Our ultimate goal is to help the customer see any phases of what’s going on through any of our dynamic testing,” explains Lindsey Carter a radiographer who has served with YTC for the last 11 years.

This entails looking for signs of destress on the test item. The test cycle allows technicians and customers to see which phase of the test caused the damage.

“We might be looking for cracks, separation, voids — any type of damage or missing items,” notes Carter.

In the case of ammunition, it is brought to the Simulation Branch upon arriving at the installation.

“X-ray is one of the busiest sections because when we first receive the ammunition for testing it gets X-rayed to ensure when it gets here it’s safe and to capture any issues ammunition might have from the manufacturer, so we can catch it before any tests. We want to know if something happened because of the test or if it already came like that,” explains Simulation Branch Chief, Carlos Anaya.

The ammunition follows a sequence from radiography to logistical vibration, back to radiography, then to climatic testing and so on.

“They see the rounds up to seven times,” remarks Anaya.

Because the rounds are inspected as they arrive and are still needed for testing is why non-destructive radiography is key.

“We do radiography instead of having demo tear it apart because it keeps the item whole and it keeps it so they can actually fire that item instead of completely destroying it.”

The Radiography Shop has the capability for various modalities; computed tomography — known as CT scanning — can take about four hours to complete. The team also performs static X-ray, flash X-ray and remote X-ray. The two remote systems at YTC can be taken to a gun position for redio.

Carter explains, “Anytime we have an item that duds out on the field and we know it’s not safe to handle and bring back to our facility, we work hand in hand with Radiation Safety and our Demolition personnel and that way we go out on the impact zone with them, and we can set up and we x-ray out on the field.”

Ultimately, safety is the reason behind the cycle and meticulous evaluation for these test items.

“We want to make sure our workforce is safe and that the Soldiers are when they get the final ammunition,” remarks Carter.