Secret Etcheron Valley Junction Ranch Radio Cross Section Range

In a remote area of the China Lake Naval Weapons Range.

The Junction Ranch RCS Range is actually comprised of two ranges, located adjacent to each other. One is a typical horizontal range, but the other is a "look-down" range with a water filled pond. This look-down range, also known as the "Wet Site", simulates a sea surface environment for RCS testing.

The horizontal RCS facility (in the thumbnail) has two pylon locations, one 700' downrange, and one 4,000' downrange. This provides for target positioning for both low and high frequency radars. The pylon is of a low RCS design, 40' in height, and capable of supporting 6,000 pounds. Surprisingly, the surface of the range is compacted soil, rather than the more typical asphalt. The range managers have found this economical design to work quite well, requiring only occasional grading and treatment with soil sterilants.

The Wet Site is centered around a shallow salt water pond 78' wide and 100' long. It contains a 30' diameter hydraulic turntable that may be raised or lowered to provide lookdown angles from 5 to 30 degrees. The radar is located at a slant distance of 17,000 feet. It seems as if this facility, at least in an initial phase, was used in the model testing of the Skunk Works "Sea Shadow" stealth ship.