The Advanced Systems Integration Lab (ASIL) is located at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland. ASIL is a quiet, isolated, flexible test facility that accommodates sensor testing for Electronic Warfare, Communications/Navigation, and a wide range of other electronic systems.

The Howland Company led the concept design study, developed the RF shielding and anechoic specifications, and administered the construction-phase shielding and anechoic QA/QC programs.

The RAM tip-to-tip dimensions of the ASIL anechoic chamber are 180 ft x 180 ft x 60 ft. (55m x 55m x 18m). The chamber is large enough to accommodate large systems such as the Space Shuttle and aircraft as large as a C-17. Offices and lab space needed to generate the required electromagnetic environment and analyze test results surround the chamber.

Two 40-ton bridge cranes are available for test article support. The chamber floor is designed for even heavier loads. A large test article preparation area is provided between the single-leaf 80 ft x 200 ft shielded anechoic door and the facility's outer hangar doors.

The shielding effectiveness of the chamber has been publicly described to be at least 110 dB from 30 MHz to "over 18 GHz." The return loss of the installed RAM is typically over 50 dB.

All RAM is mounted on removable panels to facilitate reconfiguration as required for specific tests. Throughout the entire chamber, the RAM support structure is at least 6 feet inside the chamber's shielded walls and ceiling. This design, together with the removable RAM panel system, permits openings to be made at any point in the RAM -- without penetrating the shield. Full access to all points throughout the chamber means that the unique requirements of a specific test determine emitter and sensor placement. The alternative, found in other large chambers--designing test scenarios around the limitations of the chamber layout--allows far less flexibility and efficiency.

Fourteen foot high basement tunnels, also inside the shield envelope, provide space to locate equipment and cabling for access to any area of the chamber floor. Fiberglass walk-on platforms for use during test preparation may be positioned on top of any of the floor RAM pallets.

Access panels through the RF shield permit connection to test and simulation systems installed in lab spaces outside the shield envelope. These systems include the Joint Communications Stimulator (JCS), Generic Radar Target Generator (GRTG), and the Infrared Scene Simulator (IRSS). Aircraft air and hydraulic supplies are also provided.

Installing the modular RF absorber panels; the welded steel RF shield is visible on the left, behind the RF absorber framing.

Supervising final testing of the installed modular RF absorber panels.

ASIL exterior, showing hangar doors to the test article preparation area.

On the web (links open in a new browser window):

• Boeing EA-18G Program Completes INCANS Verification Testing, Demonstration (Boeing press release & photo, Nov. 2005)
• CNO Visits NAVAIR, Gets Update on Improved Readiness (US Navy press release, Aug. 2002)
• Fleming Steel Company (description & photo of ASIL shielded hangar door, the largest RF-shielded door ever built)