Considerations for Siting and Design of Underwater Test Ranges

This paper reviews the major scientific, economic and political considerations that must be addressed in the siting and design of underwater test ranges that are used for the evaluation of mission performance of ships, submarines, and weapons systems. The process of design and placement of such ranges involves compromises principally among the geographic, oceanographic and environmental characteristics of candidate sites while at the same time minimizing the costs associated with the installation and operation of the range(s). This process, with particular emphasis on the impacts of environmental characteristics and shipping densities on site selection and range design, is given special attention.