The Largest Anechoic chamber in the World (Previously a Secret Facility)

[AdamG]

Interesting application of sound measurement techniques and technologies in very different way than you might expect. The crossover application between Audio testing and Military Electronic Warfare technology is something that many may not be aware of. I thought this video would be interesting for showing how vast the applications of Audio/Sound energy both audible and inaudible are. This facility is for testing Aircraft. Not commercial aircraft but military aircraft. The U.S. Navy has another facility that does something similar but for Navy Ships and Submarines. I hope you find this as amazing as I did. Enjoy.

The video title is a little funny as after this public unveiling it’s not a Secret anymore!

 

[AlmaAtaKZ]

Judging by the size of the cones (and their hollowness) it looks it is set up for electromagnetic waves rather than acoustic, but different cones may also be set up

 

[Ron Texas]

Judging by the size of the cones (and their hollowness) it looks it is set up for electromagnetic waves rather than acoustic, but different cones may also be set up

Stealth testing?

 

[Jim Taylor]

The video title is a little funny as after this public unveiling it’s not a Secret anymore!

When one door closes, another door opens.

Jim

 

[EERecordist]

772nd Test Squadron - Benefield Anechoic Facility (BAF - Anechoic Chamber)

For questions regarding this information, please contact the 772nd Test Squadron at (661) 277-8607 or e-mail [email protected]· Benefield Anechoic Facility (BAF) HandbookFACT SHEETS·

www.edwards.af.mil

 

[just1n]

This is very cool. Thanks for sharing @AdamG

 

[Vladimir Filevski]

udging by the size of the cones (and their hollowness) it looks it is set up for electromagnetic waves rather than acoustic

Yes, that is true - this anechoic chamber is for Radio Frequency testing only.

 

[AdamG]

Stealth testing?

I would imagine that it is used for both passive and active systems testing. Stealth being one area of usage and Electronic Counter Measures aircraft (Jamming & Saturation). Another possibility is for noise cancellation technology testing. Stealth is a combination of Heat (IR), Visual, RADAR reflectivity and audible signature. I am only hazarding a guess here.

 

[RDoc]

Interesting application of sound measurement techniques and technologies in very different way than you might expect. The crossover application between Audio testing and Military Electronic Warfare technology is something that many may not be aware of. I thought this video would be interesting for showing how vast the applications of Audio/Sound energy both audible and inaudible are. This facility is for testing Aircraft. Not commercial aircraft but military aircraft. The U.S. Navy has another facility that does something similar but for Navy Ships and Submarines. I hope you find this as amazing as I did. Enjoy.

The video title is a little funny as after this public unveiling it’s not a Secret anymore!

So they have one they can put a submarine in? WOW!

 

[AdamG]

So they have one they can put a submarine in? WOW!

I didn’t say that and I don’t know anything about such a facility. As I said above hazarding a guess.

The US Navy developed stealth technology for use on Submarines decades ago and they have methods and facilities to test such performance characteristics. This is public information and that is the extent of my understanding. I just thought that the parallel with Audio testing was interesting and thought provoking.

 

[mnthope]

In the late '80s, I developed the RF testing facilities for the absorber cones in this chamber. Another division of the company I worked for handled the enclosure (a building within a building). We set up a factory in Palmdale, surprisingly in the old assembly plant for the B1B shown here. Although we were an East Coast company, it made economic sense to manufacture nearby due to the high cost of shipping 64,000 absorber panels (24" x 24" x 18" or 36" tall). Additionally, the dry-out process, which took about 10 hours in Palmdale's dry climate compared to 10-14 days in the humid East Coast, was far more efficient. These chambers are highly effective as acoustic absorbers too. The base material, enhanced with conductive carbon, is similar to that used in audio anechoic chambers. The microwave signals' wavelength (traveling at the speed of light) closely matches the acoustic wavelength (traveling at the speed of sound), resulting in a comparable absorber height.

 

[Oddball]

It always amazes me how much money is spent to increase our lethal force efficiency. Not that I know of any other alternative, or have a plan, just a comment. Lots of people out there seem to be in need of that money, that's for sure.