Naval Surface
Warfare Center,
Carderock Division

The South Florida Testing Facility (SFTF) has housed an active, continuously operating Navy range for over forty years. The facility came under the direction of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) in 1994. SFTF provides the ability to monitor surface ship, submarine, and remote vehicle signatures in a near shore environment. Multiple fixed in-water electromagnetic and acoustic measurement sites at 10, 20 and 200 meters are controlled from a secure range house. The range encompasses the Navy's only shallow and deep magnetic research and development ranges, including submerged operations. The facility also offers a means to evaluate mine detection, countermeasures and mine response; perform acoustic measurements; and acquire radar cross section (RCS) and infrared signatures. Surface, air and submerged tracking are available on this controlled range. 20 and 200 meter bottom mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers provide continuous current monitoring on the range. There are also deep and shallow water multiplexers allowing for installation of additional sensors on an "as needed" basis without the large expense of running new cables.

The NSWCCD Ship Signature Department is responsible for operating the range. In addition to extensive program management and data acquisition and analysis experience, it makes available the Navy's premier signature control expertise. Near future plans include moving the USNS HAYES, the Navy's most sophisticated noise measurement platform, from Cape Canaveral to SFTF. Along with the associated HAYES laboratory personnel, this will add a significant deep-water measurement capability to the Center. Extensive industrial equipment and support, including a full machine shop, and several small vessels are also available.

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If you would like additional information, please contact:

Mr. Tom Metz, Detachment Director, South Florida Testing Facility Telephone: (954) 926-4000 Fax: (954) 926-4031