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Proposed Rule2025-07780

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Military Readiness Activities in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Study Area

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Published

May 9, 2025

Issuing agencies

Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Abstract

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Department of the Navy (including the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps (Navy)) and on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard; hereafter, Navy and Coast Guard are collectively referred to as Action Proponents) for Incidental Take Regulations (ITR) and three associated Letters of Authorization (LOAs) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area over the course of seven years from November 2025 through November 2032. NMFS requests comments on this proposed rule. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the promulgation of the requested ITR and issuance of the LOAs; agency responses to public comments will be summarized in the final rule, if issued. The Action Proponents' activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).

Full Text

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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 89 (Friday, May 9, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19858-20077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-07780]

[[Page 19857]]

Vol. 90

Friday,

No. 89

May 9, 2025

Part III

Department of Commerce

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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50 CFR Part 218

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking
Marine Mammals Incidental to Military Readiness Activities in the
Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Study Area; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 89 / Friday, May 9, 2025 / Proposed
Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 218

[Docket No. 250430-0074]
RIN 0648-BN17

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities;
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Military Readiness Activities in
the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Study Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; proposed letters of authorization; request for
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Department of the
Navy (including the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps (Navy)) and on
behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard; hereafter, Navy and Coast
Guard are collectively referred to as Action Proponents) for Incidental
Take Regulations (ITR) and three associated Letters of Authorization
(LOAs) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The
requested regulations would govern the authorization of take of marine
mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the
Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area over the course
of seven years from November 2025 through November 2032. NMFS requests
comments on this proposed rule. NMFS will consider public comments
prior to making any final decision on the promulgation of the requested
ITR and issuance of the LOAs; agency responses to public comments will
be summarized in the final rule, if issued. The Action Proponents'
activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the
MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than June 9,
2025.

ADDRESSES: A plain language summary of this proposed rule is available
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2024-0115">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2024-0115</a>. You may
submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2024-0115, by
any of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Visit <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and type NOAA-NMFS-2024-0115 in the Search box.
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
<bullet> Mail: Submit written comments to Jolie Harrison, Chief,
Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910-3225.
<bullet> Fax: (301) 713-0376; Attn: Jolie Harrison.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
A copy of the Action Proponents' Incidental Take Authorization
(ITA) application and supporting documents, as well as a list of the
references cited in this document, may be obtained online at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-military-readiness-activities">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-military-readiness-activities</a>. In case of problems
accessing these documents, please call the contact listed below (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyssa Clevenstine, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Regulatory Action

This proposed rule, if promulgated, would provide a framework under
the authority of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) to allow for the
authorization of take of marine mammals incidental to the Action
Proponents' training and testing activities (which qualify as military
readiness activities) involving the use of active sonar and other
transducers, air guns, and explosives (also referred to as ``in-water
detonations''); pile driving and vibratory extraction; and vessel
movement in the AFTT Study Area. The AFTT Study Area includes air and
water space of the western Atlantic Ocean along the east coast of North
America, the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and portions of
the Caribbean Sea, covering approximately 2.6 million square nautical
miles (nmi\2\; 8.9 million square kilometers (km\2\)) of ocean area
(see figure 1.1-1 of the rulemaking and LOA application (hereafter
referred to as the application)). Please see the Legal Authority for
the Proposed Action section for relevant definitions.

Legal Authority for the Proposed Action

The MMPA prohibits the ``take'' of marine mammals, with certain
exceptions. Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361
et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) to
allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of
small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a
specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified
geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations
are proposed or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a
proposed authorization is provided to the public for review and the
opportunity to submit comment.
Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or
stock(s) and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for taking for subsistence uses
(where relevant). Further, NMFS must prescribe the permissible methods
of taking; other ``means of effecting the least practicable adverse
impact'' on the affected species or stocks and their habitat, paying
particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar
significance, and on the availability of the species or stocks for
taking for certain subsistence uses (referred to in shorthand as
``mitigation''); and requirements pertaining to the monitoring and
reporting of the takings. The MMPA defines ``take'' to mean to harass,
hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
any marine mammal. The Preliminary Analysis and Negligible Impact
Determination section discusses the definition of ``negligible
impact.''
The 2004 NDAA (Pub. L. 108-136) amended section 101(a)(5) of the
MMPA to remove the ``small numbers'' and ``specified geographical
region'' provisions and amended the definition of ``harassment'' as
applied to a ``military readiness activity'' to read as follows
(section 3(18)(B) of the MMPA): (i) Any act that injures or has the
significant potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock
in the

[[Page 19859]]

wild (Level A Harassment); or (ii) Any act that disturbs or is likely
to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by
causing disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not
limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or
sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned or
significantly altered (Level B Harassment). The 2004 NDAA also amended
the MMPA establishing that ``[f]or military readiness activity . . . ,
a determination of `least practicable adverse impact' . . . shall
include consideration of personnel safety, practicality of
implementation, and impact on the effectiveness of the military
readiness activity.'' On August 13, 2018, the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2019
(2019 NDAA) (Pub. L. 115-232) amended the MMPA to allow incidental take
regulations for military readiness activities to be issued for up to 7
years.

Summary of Major Provisions Within the Proposed Rule

The major provisions of this proposed rule are:
(i) The proposed take of marine mammals by Level A harassment and/
or Level B harassment;
(ii) The proposed take of marine mammals by mortality or serious
injury (M/SI);
(iii) The proposed use of defined powerdown and shutdown zones
(based on activity);
(iv) Proposed measures to reduce the likelihood of vessel strikes;
(v) Proposed activity limitations in certain areas and times that
are biologically important (i.e., for foraging, migration,
reproduction) for marine mammals;
(vi) The proposed implementation of a Notification and Reporting
Plan (for dead, live stranded, or marine mammals struck by any vessel
engaged in military readiness activities); and
(vii) The proposed implementation of a robust monitoring plan to
improve our understanding of the environmental effects resulting from
the Action Proponents' training and testing activities.
This proposed rule includes an adaptive management component that
allows for timely modification of mitigation, monitoring, and/or
reporting measures based on new information, when appropriate.

Summary of Request

On May 28, 2024, NMFS received an application from the Action
Proponents requesting authorization to take marine mammals, by Level A
and Level B harassment, incidental to training and testing
(characterized as military readiness activities) including the use of
sonar and other transducers, in-water detonations, air guns, and impact
and vibratory pile driving and extraction conducted within the AFTT
Study Area. In addition, the Action Proponents are requesting
authorization to take, by serious injury or mortality, a limited number
of several marine mammal species from explosives during training
exercises, ship shock trials, and vessel movement during military
readiness activities conducted within the AFTT Study Area over the 7-
year period of the LOAs. In response to our comments and following
information exchange, the Action Proponents submitted a final revised
application on August 16, 2024, that we determined was adequate and
complete on August 19, 2024. On October 8, 2024, the Action Proponents
submitted an updated application to revise take estimates on a subset
of Navy activities. On September 20, 2024, we published a notice of
receipt (NOR) of application in the Federal Register (89 FR 77106),
requesting comments and information related to the Action Proponents'
request for 30 days. During the 30-day public comment period on the
NOR, we did not receive any public comments. On January 21, 2025, the
Action Proponents submitted an updated application that removed ship
shock trials and estimated take associated with that activity in Key
West and within the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Range Complex and, on
February 13, 2025, the Action Proponents submitted an updated
application containing minor revisions.
NMFS has previously promulgated incidental take regulations
pursuant to the MMPA relating to similar military readiness activities
in AFTT. NMFS published the first rule effective from January 22, 2009
through January 22, 2014 (74 FR 4844, January 27, 2009), the second
rule effective from November 14, 2013 through November 13, 2018 (78 FR
73009, December 4, 2013), and the third rule effective from November
14, 2018 through November 13, 2023 (83 FR 57076, November 14, 2018),
which was subsequently amended, extending the effective date until
November 13, 2025 (84 FR 70712, December 23, 2019) pursuant to the 2019
NDAA. For this proposed rulemaking, the Action Proponents propose to
conduct substantially similar training and testing activities within
the AFTT Study Area that were conducted under previous rules.
The Action Proponents' application reflects the most up-to-date
compilation of training and testing activities deemed necessary to
accomplish military readiness requirements. The types and numbers of
activities included in the proposed rule account for fluctuations in
training and testing to meet evolving or emergent military readiness
requirements. These proposed regulations would cover military readiness
activities in the AFTT Study Area that would occur for a 7-year period
following the expiration of the existing MMPA authorization on November
13, 2025.

Description of Proposed Activity

Overview

The Action Proponents request authorization to take marine mammals
incidental to conducting military readiness activities. The Action
Proponents have determined that acoustic and explosives stressors are
most likely to result in take of marine mammals that could rise to the
level of harassment, and take by serious injury or mortality may result
from vessel movement, explosive use, and ship shock trials. Detailed
descriptions of these activities are provided in chapter 2 of the 2024
AFTT Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas
EIS (OEIS) (2024 AFTT Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS) (<a href="https://www.nepa.navy.mil/aftteis/">https://www.nepa.navy.mil/aftteis/</a>) and in the Action Proponents' application
(<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-military-readiness-activities">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-military-readiness-activities</a>) and are
summarized here.
The Navy's statutory mission is to organize, train, equip, and
maintain combat-ready naval forces for the peacetime promotion of the
national security interests and prosperity of the United States, and
for prompt and sustained combat incident to operations essential to the
prosecution of a naval campaign. These missions are mandated by Federal
law (10 U.S.C. 8062 and 10 U.S.C. 8063), which requires the readiness
of the naval forces of the United States. The Navy executes this
responsibility by establishing and executing at-sea training and
testing, often in designated operating areas (OPAREA) and testing and
training ranges. The Navy must be able to access and utilize these
areas and associated sea and air space to develop and maintain skills
for conducting naval operations. The Navy's testing activities ensure
naval forces are equipped with well-maintained systems that take
advantage of the latest technological advances. The Navy's research and
acquisition community conducts military readiness activities that
involve testing. The Navy tests vessels, aircraft, weapons, combat
systems, sensors, and

[[Page 19860]]

related equipment, and conducts scientific research activities to
achieve and maintain military readiness.
The mission of the Coast Guard is to ensure the maritime safety,
security, and stewardship of the United States. To advance this
mission, the Coast Guard must ensure its personnel can qualify and
train jointly with, and independently of, the Navy and other services
in the effective and safe operational use of Coast Guard vessels,
aircraft, and weapons under realistic conditions. These activities help
ensure the Coast Guard can safely assist in the defense of the United
States by protecting the United States' maritime safety, security, and
natural resources in accordance with its national defense mission (14
U.S.C. 102). Coast Guard training activities are described in more
detail in appendix C of the 2024 AFTT Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS and
in the Action Proponents' application, and are summarized below.

Dates and Duration

The specified activities would occur at any time during the 7-year
period of validity of the regulations. The proposed number of military
readiness activities are described in the Detailed Description of the
Specified Activity section (table 4 through table 9).

Specified Geographical Region

The AFTT Study Area includes areas of the western Atlantic Ocean
along the east coast of North America, the Gulf of America, and
portions of the Caribbean Sea, covering approximately 2.6 million
nmi\2\ (8.9 million km\2\) of ocean area, oriented from the mean high
tide line along the U.S. coast and extending east to 45-degree west
longitude line, north to 65-degree north latitude line, and south to
approximately the 20-degree north latitude line (figure 1). It also
includes Navy and Coast Guard pierside locations and port transit
channels, bays, harbors, inshore waterways (e.g., channels, rivers),
and civilian ports where military readiness activities occur as well as
vessel and aircraft transit routes between homeports and OPAREAs. New
to the Study Area are inshore waters adjacent to the Gulf of America
and changes to ship shock trial areas. The VACAPES and Key West ship
shock trial areas were removed from the Study Area, the Gulf of America
ship shock trial area was moved south, and the Jacksonville ship shock
trial area expanded. The vast majority of military readiness activities
occur within appropriately designated range complexes and testing
ranges that fall within the confines of the Study Area. Please refer to
figure 1.1-1 of the application for a color map of the AFTT Study Area
and figure 2.1-1 through figure 2.1-5 for additional maps of the range
complexes and testing ranges. A summary of the AFTT Range Complexes and
Testing Ranges are provided in table 1, Inshore Areas are provided in
table 2, and Ports and Piers are provided in table 3.
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Table 1--AFTT Study Area Training and Testing Ranges
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Name Basic location Sea and undersea space Air space
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Northeast Range Complexes............ 750 miles along the 46,000 nmi\2\ of sea 29,000 nmi\2\ of
coast from Maine to and undersea space. special use airspace.
New Jersey. Includes three
OPAREAs: Boston,
Narragansett Bay, and
Atlantic City.
Naval Undersea Warfare Center Includes the waters of 11,000 nmi\2\ of sea Minimal testing occurs
Division, Newport Testing Range. Narragansett Bay, and undersea space. in airspace within the
Rhode Island Sound, Includes three test area.
Block Island Sound, Restricted Areas:
Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Coddington Cove,
Sound, and Long Island Narragansett Bay, and
Sound. Rhode Island Sound.
Virginia Capes Range Complex (VACAPES 250 miles along the 30,000 nmi\2\ of sea 30,000 nmi\2\ of
RC). coast from Delaware to and undersea space. special use airspace.
North Carolina, from Includes one OPAREA:
the shoreline to 150 Virginia Capes.
nmi seaward.
Navy Cherry Point Range Complex...... Off the coast of North 19,000 nmi\2\ of sea 19,000 nmi\2\ of
and South Carolina, and undersea space. special use airspace.
from the shoreline to Includes one OPAREA:
120 nmi seaward. Navy Cherry Point.
Jacksonville Range Complex (JAX RC).. 520 miles along the 50,000 nmi\2\ of sea 64,000 nmi\2\ of
coast from North and undersea space. special use airspace.
Carolina to Florida, Includes three
from the shoreline to OPAREAs: Charleston,
roughly 250 nmi Jacksonville and Cape
seaward. Canaveral. Includes
the Undersea Warfare
Training Range.
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Located adjacent to the 500 nmi\2\ of sea and No associated special
Carderock Division, South Florida Port Everglades undersea space. use airspace.
Ocean Measurement Facility Testing entrance channel in
Range (SFOMF). Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; out to
roughly 25 nmi from
shore.
Key West Range Complex............... Off the southwestern 8,000 nmi\2\ of sea and 23,000 nmi\2\ of
coast of mainland undersea space south special use airspace.
Florida and along the of Key West. Includes
southern Florida Keys, one OPAREA: Key West.
extending into the
Gulf of America and
the Straits of Florida.
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama Off the panhandle of 23,000 nmi\2\ of sea 23,000 nmi\2\ of
City Division Testing Area. Florida and Alabama, and undersea space. special use airspace.
extending from the Includes two OPAREAs:
shoreline 120 nmi Panama City and
seaward and includes Pensacola.
St. Andrew Bay.
Gulf Range Complex (Gulf RC)......... Includes geographically 20,000 nmi\2\ of sea 43,000 nmi\2\ of
separated areas and undersea space. special use airspace.
throughout the Gulf of Includes four OPAREAs:
America. Panama City,
Pensacola, New
Orleans, and Corpus
Christi.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: nmi = nautical mile, nmi\2\ = square nautical mile, areas and distances of locations, sea and undersea
space, and airspace are approximations.

Table 2--AFTT Study Area Inshore Locations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Associated inshore waters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast Range Complexes Thames River, Narragansett Bay, Rhode
Inshore. Island Sound, Block Island Sound.
Virginia Capes Range Complex Lower Chesapeake Bay, James River and
(VACAPES RC) Inshore. tributaries, Broad Bay, York River.
Jacksonville Range Complex Blount Island, Southeast Kings Bay,
(JAX RC) Inshore. Cooper River, St. Johns River, Port
Canaveral.
Key West Range Complex Truman Harbor, Demolition Key.
Inshore.
Gulf Range Complex (Gulf RC) St. Andrew Bay, Atchafalaya Bay,
Inshore. Atchafalaya River, Lake Borgne,
Pascagoula River, Mobile Bay.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The Gulf Range Complex Inshore includes geographically separated
areas throughout the Gulf of America.

Table 3--AFTT Study Area Ports and Piers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Guard
Pierside locations Civilian ports locations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Bath, ME Southwest Harbor,
ME
Naval Submarine Base New Boston, MA Boston, MA
London
Naval Station Newport Earle, NJ Cape Cod, MA
Naval Station Norfolk Delaware Bay, DE New London, CT *
Joint Expeditionary Base Hampton Roads, VA New Haven CT *
Little Creek Fort Story
Norfolk Naval Shipyard Morehead City, NC Newport, RI *
Naval Submarine Base Kings Wilmington, NC Montauk, NY
Bay
Naval Station Mayport Kings Bay, GA Staten Island, NY *
Port Canaveral Savannah, GA Atlantic City, NJ
Mayport, FL Chesapeake, VA
Port Canaveral, FL Virginia Beach, VA
*
Tampa, FL Portsmouth, VA*
Pascagoula, MS Elizabeth City, NC
Gulfport, MS Charleston, SC *
Beaumont, TX Mayport, FL *
Corpus Christi, TX Cape Canaveral, FL
*
Fort Pierce, FL *
Dania, FL *
Miami, FL *
Key West, FL *
St. Petersburg, FL
*
Pensacola, FL *
Opa Locka, FL
New Orleans, LA
Houston, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: CT: Connecticut; FL: Florida; GA: Georgia; LA: Louisiana; MA:
Massachusetts; ME: Maine; MS: Mississippi; NC: North Carolina; NJ: New
Jersey; NY: New York; RI: Rhode Island; SC: South Carolina; TX: Texas;
VA: Virginia.

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* Indicates Coast Guard cutter stations.

Detailed Description of the Specified Activity

The Action Proponents propose to conduct military readiness
activities within the AFTT Study Area and have been conducting military
readiness activities in the Study Area for well over a century and with
active sonar for over 70 years. The tempo and types of military
readiness activities have fluctuated due to the introduction of new
technologies, the evolving nature of international events, advances in
warfighting doctrine and procedures, and changes in force structure
(organization of vessels, weapons, and personnel). Such developments
influenced the frequency, duration, intensity, and location of required
military readiness activities.
Primary Mission Areas
The Navy categorizes their activities into functional warfare areas
called primary mission areas, while the Coast Guard categorizes their
activities as operational mission programs. For the Navy, these
activities generally fall into the following five primary mission areas
(Coast Guard mission areas are discussed below). The Navy mission areas
with activities that may result in incidental take of marine mammals
(and stressors associated with training and testing activities within
those mission areas) include the following:
(i) Amphibious warfare (in-water detonations);
(ii) Anti-submarine warfare (sonar and other transducers, in-water
detonations);
(iii) Expeditionary warfare (in-water detonations, pile driving and
extraction);
(iv) Mine warfare (sonar and other transducers, in-water
detonations);
(v) Surface warfare (in-water detonations); and
(vi) Other (sonar and other transducers, air guns, vessel
movement).
Most Navy activities conducted in AFTT are categorized under one of
these primary mission areas; activities that do not fall within one of
these areas are listed as ``other activities.'' In addition, ship shock
(in-water detonations) trials, a specific Navy testing activity related
to vessel evaluation, would be conducted. The testing community also
categorizes most, but not all, of its testing activities under these
primary mission areas. The testing community has three additional
categories of activities: vessel evaluation (inclusive of ship shock
trials), unmanned systems (i.e., unmanned surface vehicles (USVs),
unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs)), and acoustic and oceanographic
science and technology.
The Action Proponents describe and analyze the effects of their
activities within the application (see the 2024 AFTT Draft Supplemental
EIS/OEIS for additional details). In their assessment, the Action
Proponents concluded that sonar and other transducers, underwater
detonations, air guns, and pile driving/extraction were the stressors
most likely to result in impacts on marine mammals that could rise to
the level of harassment (and serious injury or mortality by explosives
or by vessel movement) as defined under the MMPA. Therefore, the Action
Proponents' application provides their assessment of potential effects
from these stressors in terms of the primary warfare mission areas in
which they would be conducted.
The Coast Guard has four major national defense missions:
(i) Maritime intercept operations;
(ii) Deployed port operations/security and defense;
(iii) Peacetime engagement; and
(iv) Environmental defense operations (which includes oil and
hazardous substance response).
The Coast Guard manages 6 major operational mission programs with
11 statutory missions, which includes defense readiness. As part of the
Coast Guard's defense mission, Title 14 U.S.C. 1 states the Coast Guard
is ``at all times an armed force of the United States.'' As part of the
Joint Forces, the Coast Guard maintains its readiness to carry out
military operations in support of the policies and objectives of the
U.S. government. As an armed force, the Coast Guard trains and operates
in the joint military arena at any time and functions as a specialized
service under the Navy in time of war or when directed by the
President. Coast Guard service members are trained to respond
immediately to support military operations and national security.
Federal law created the framework for the relationship between the Navy
and the Coast Guard (10 U.S.C. 101; 14 U.S.C. 2(7); 22 U.S.C.; 50
U.S.C.). To meet these statutory requirements and effectively carry out
these missions, the Coast Guard's air and surface units train using
realistic scenarios, including training with the Navy in their primary
mission areas. Every Coast Guard unit is trained to support all
statutory missions and, thus, trained to meet all mission requirements,
which includes their defense mission requirements. Since all Coast
Guard's missions entail the deployment of cutters or boats and either
fixed-wing or rotary aircraft, the Coast Guard training requirements
for one mission generally overlaps with the training requirements of
other missions. Thus, when the Coast Guard is training for its defense
mission, the same skill sets are utilized for its other statutory
missions.
The Coast Guard's defense mission does not involve low- or mid-
frequency active sonar (LFAS or MFAS), missiles, in-water detonations,
pile driving and extraction, or air guns that would result in
harassment of marine mammals. For additional information on all
activities in the Coast Guard's mission programs see appendix C of the
2024 AFTT Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS.
Below, we provide additional detail for each of the applicable
primary mission areas.
Amphibious Warfare--
The mission of amphibious warfare is to project military power from
the sea to the shore (i.e., attack a threat on land by a military force
embarked on ships) through the use of naval firepower and expeditionary
landing forces. Amphibious warfare operations include Navy and Marine
Corps small unit reconnaissance or raid missions to large-scale
amphibious exercises involving multiple ships and aircraft combined
into a strike group.
Amphibious warfare training ranges from individual, crew, and small
unit events to large task force exercises. Individual and crew training
include amphibious vehicles and naval gunfire support training. Such
training includes shore assaults, boat raids, airfield or port
seizures, reconnaissance, and disaster relief. Large-scale amphibious
exercises involve ship-to-shore maneuvers, naval fire support such as
shore bombardment, air strikes, and attacks on targets that are near
friendly forces.
Testing of guns, munitions, aircraft, ships, and amphibious vessels
and vehicles used in amphibious warfare are often integrated into
training activities and, in most cases, the systems are used in the
same manner in which they are used for training activities. Amphibious
warfare tests, when integrated with training activities or conducted
separately as full operational evaluations on existing amphibious
vessels and vehicles following maintenance, repair, or modernization,
may be conducted independently or in conjunction with other amphibious
ship and aircraft activities. Testing is performed to ensure effective
ship-to-

[[Page 19864]]

shore coordination and transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Tests may also be conducted periodically on other systems, vessels, and
aircraft intended for amphibious operations to assess operability and
to investigate efficacy of new technologies.
Anti-Submarine Warfare--
The mission of anti-submarine warfare is to locate, neutralize, and
defeat hostile submarine forces that threaten Navy forces. Anti-
submarine warfare is based on the principle that surveillance and
attack aircraft, ships, and submarines all search for hostile
submarines. These forces operate together or independently to gain
early warning and detection and to localize, track, target, and attack
submarine threats.
Anti-submarine warfare training addresses basic skills such as
detecting and classifying submarines, as well as evaluating sounds to
distinguish between enemy submarines and friendly submarines, ships,
and marine life. More advanced training integrates the full spectrum of
anti-submarine warfare from detecting and tracking a submarine to
attacking a target using either exercise torpedoes (i.e., torpedoes
that do not contain a warhead) or simulated weapons. These integrated
anti-submarine warfare training exercises are conducted in coordinated,
at-sea training events involving submarines, ships, and aircraft.
Testing of anti-submarine warfare systems is conducted to develop
new technologies and assess weapon performance and operability with new
systems and platforms, such as unmanned systems. Testing uses ships,
submarines, and aircraft to demonstrate capabilities of torpedoes,
missiles, countermeasure systems, and underwater surveillance and
communications systems. Tests may be conducted as part of a large-scale
fleet training event involving submarines, ships, fixed-wing aircraft,
and helicopters. These integrated training events offer opportunities
to conduct research and acquisition activities and to train aircrew in
the use of new or newly enhanced systems during a large-scale, complex
exercise.
Expeditionary Warfare--
The mission of expeditionary warfare is to provide security and
surveillance in the littoral (at the shoreline), riparian (along a
river), or coastal environments. Expeditionary warfare is wide ranging
and includes defense of harbors, operation of remotely operated
vehicles, defense against swimmers, and boarding/seizure operations.
Expeditionary warfare training activities include Navy, Marine
Corps, and Coast Guard underwater construction team training, dive and
salvage operations, and insertion/extraction via air, surface, and
subsurface platforms.
Mine Warfare--
The mission of mine warfare is to detect, classify, and avoid or
neutralize (disable) mines to protect U.S. ships and submarines, and to
maintain free access to ports and shipping lanes. Mine warfare training
for the Navy and Coast Guard falls into two primary categories: mine
detection and classification, and mine countermeasure and
neutralization. Mine warfare also includes offensive mine laying to
gain control of or deny the enemy access to sea space. Naval mines can
be laid by ships, submarines, UUVs, or aircraft.
Mine warfare neutralization training includes exercises in which
aircraft, ships, submarines, underwater vehicles, unmanned vehicles, or
marine mammal detection systems search for mine shapes. Personnel train
to destroy or disable mines by attaching underwater explosives to or
near the mine or using remotely operated vehicles to destroy the mine.
Mine warfare testing is similar to training but focuses on the
development of mine warfare systems to improve sonar, laser, and
magnetic detectors intended to hunt, locate, and record the positions
of mines for avoidance or subsequent neutralization. Mine detection and
classification testing involves the use of air, surface, and subsurface
platforms using a variety of systems to locate and identify objects
underwater. Mine countermeasure and neutralization testing includes the
use of air, surface, and subsurface platforms to evaluate the
effectiveness of tracking devices, countermeasure and neutralization
systems, and explosive munitions to neutralize mine threats. Most
neutralization tests use mine shapes, or non-explosive practice mines,
to evaluate a new or enhanced capability; however, a small percentage
require the use of high-explosive mines to evaluate and confirm
effectiveness of various systems.
Surface Warfare--
The mission of surface warfare is to obtain control of sea space
from which naval forces may operate and entails offensive action
against other surface and subsurface targets while also defending
against enemy forces. In surface warfare, aircraft use cannons, air-to-
surface missiles, and other precision-guided munitions; ships employ
torpedoes, naval guns, and surface-to-surface missiles; and submarines
attack surface ships using torpedoes.
Surface warfare training includes Navy and Coast Guard surface-to-
surface gunnery and missile exercises, air-to-surface gunnery, bombing,
and missile exercises, submarine torpedo launch events, other munitions
against surface targets, and amphibious operations in a contested
environment.
Testing of weapons used in surface warfare is conducted to develop
new technologies and to assess weapon performance and operability with
new systems and platforms, such as unmanned systems. Tests include
various air-to-surface guns and missiles, surface-to-surface guns and
missiles, and bombing tests. Testing events may be integrated into
training activities to test aircraft or aircraft systems in the
delivery of ordnance on a surface target. In most cases the tested
systems are used in the same manner in which they are used for training
activities.
Overview of Training Activities Within the Study Area
The Action Proponents routinely train in the AFTT Study Area in
preparation for national defense missions. Training activities and
exercises covered in this proposed rule are briefly described below and
in more detail within appendix A (Activity Descriptions) of the 2024
AFTT Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS. The description, annual number of
activities, and location of each training activity are provided by
stressor category in table 4, table 5, and table 6. Each training
activity described meets a requirement that can be traced ultimately to
requirements set forth by the National Command Authority.
Within the Navy, a major training exercise (MTE) is comprised of
multiple ``unit-level'' exercises conducted by several units operating
together while commanded and controlled by a single commander (these
units are collectively referred to as carrier and expeditionary strike
groups). These exercises typically employ an exercise scenario
developed to train and evaluate the strike group in tactical naval
tasks. In a MTE, most of the operations and activities being directed
and coordinated by the strike group commander are identical in nature
to the operations conducted during individual, crew, and smaller unit-
level training events. However, in MTEs, these disparate training tasks
are conducted in concert rather than in isolation. Some integrated or
coordinated anti-submarine warfare exercises are similar in that they
are composed of several unit-level exercises

[[Page 19865]]

but are generally on a smaller scale than a MTE, are shorter in
duration, use fewer assets, and use fewer hours of hull-mounted sonar
per exercise. Coordinated training exercises involve multiple units
working together to meet unit-level training requirements, whereas
integrated training exercises involve multiple units working together
for deployment. Coordinated exercises involving the use of sonar are
presented under the category of anti-submarine warfare. The anti-
submarine warfare portions of these exercises are considered together
in coordinated activities for the sake of acoustic modeling. When other
training objectives are being met, those activities are described via
unit-level training in each of the relevant primary mission areas.
With a smaller fleet of approximately 250 cutters, Coast Guard
activities are not as extensive as Navy activities due to differing
mission requirements. However, the Coast Guard does train with the Navy
and conducts some of the same training as the Navy. The Coast Guard
does not conduct any exercises similar in scale to Navy MTEs/integrated
exercises, and the use of mid- or low-frequency sonar, missiles, and
underwater detonations are examples of actions that are not a part of
the Coast Guard's mission requirements. Coast Guard training generally
occurs close to the vessel homeport or close to shore, on established
Navy testing and training ranges, or in transit to a scheduled patrol/
mission. There are approximately 1,600 Coast Guard vessels (cutters up
to 418 feet (ft; 127.4 meters (m)) and boats less than 65 ft (19.8 m)),
and the largest cutters would be underway for 3 to 4 months, whereas
the smaller cutters would be underway from a few days to 4 weeks. The
busiest regions for the Coast Guard are the Gulf of America due to the
number of busy commercial ports, and Hampton Roads due to many of the
cutters being based at facilities in that area.
The MTEs and integrated/coordinated training activities analyzed
for this request are Navy-led exercises in which the Coast Guard may
participate and described in table 4. For additional information on
these activities, see table 1.3-1 of the application and appendix A
(Activity Descriptions) of the 2024 AFTT Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS.
Table 5 describes the proposed Navy training activities analyzed within
the AFTT Study Area while table 6 describes the proposed Coast Guard
training activities analyzed within the AFTT Study Area. In addition to
participating in Navy-led exercises, Coast Guard training activities
include unit-level activities conducted independently of, and not in
coordination with, the Navy.

Table 4--Major Training Exercises and Integrated/Coordinated Training Activities Analyzed Within the AFTT Study Area
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Typical hull-
Training type Exercise group Description Scale Duration Location (range Exercise mounted sonar
complex) examples per event
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Training Exercise...... Large Integrated Larger-scale, Greater than 6 Generally Jacksonville COMPTUEX....... <500 hours.
ASW. longer duration surface ASW greater than Range Complex,
integrated ASW units (up to 10 days. Navy Cherry
exercises. 30 with the Point Range
largest Complex,
exercises), 2 Virginia Capes
or more Range Complex.
submarines,
multiple ASW
aircraft.
Major Training Exercise...... Medium Medium-scale, Approximately 3- Generally 4-10 Jacksonville Sustainment/ 100-300 hours.
Integrated ASW. medium duration 8 surface ASW days. Range Complex, Task Force
integrated ASW units, at Navy Cherry Exercise.
exercises. least 1 Point Range
submarine, Complex,
multiple ASW Virginia Capes
aircraft. Range Complex.
Integrated/Coordinated Small Integrated Small-scale, Approximately 3- Generally less Jacksonville SWATT, NUWTAC.. 50-100 hours.
Training. ASW. short duration 6 surface ASW than 5 days. Range Complex,
integrated ASW units, 2 Navy Cherry
exercises. dedicated Point Range
submarines, 2- Complex,
6 ASW aircraft. Virginia Capes
Range Complex.
Integrated/Coordinated Medium Medium-scale, Approximately 2- Generally 3-10 Jacksonville ASW Tactical <100 hours.
Training. Coordinated ASW. medium 4 surface ASW days. Range Complex, Development
duration, units, Navy Cherry Exercise.
coordinated ASW possibly a Point Range
exercises. submarine, 2-5 Complex,
ASW aircraft. Virginia Capes
Range Complex.
Integrated/Coordinated Small Small-scale, Approximately 2- Generally 2-4 Jacksonville ARG/MEU <50 hours.
Training. Coordinated ASW. short duration, 4 surface ASW days. Range Complex, COMPTUEX.
coordinated ASW units, Navy Cherry
exercises. possibly a Point Range
submarine, 1-2 Complex,
ASW aircraft. Virginia Capes
Range Complex.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: ASW: anti-submarine warfare; COMPTUEX: Composite Training Unit Exercise; SWATT: Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training Exercise; NUWTAC: Navy
Undersea Warfare Training Assessment Course; ARG/MEU: Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit.

[[Page 19866]]

Table 5--Proposed Navy Training Activities Analyzed Within the AFTT Study Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Number of
Stressor category Activity type Activity name Description Source bin activities activities Location
1-year 7-year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acoustic.................. Major Training Composite Training Aircraft carrier and carrier air wing integrate LFH, MFM, MFH, MF1, 2-3 17 Jacksonville Range
Exercise--Large Unit Exercise. with surface and submarine and Coast Guard MF1C, Broadband (MF Complex, Navy
Integrated ASW. units in a challenging multi-threat to HF). Cherry Point Range
operational environment that certifies them Complex, Virginia
ready to deploy. Capes Range
Complex.
Acoustic.................. Major Training Sustainment/Task Aircraft carrier and carrier air wing LFH, MFM, MFH, MF1, 2 14 Jacksonville Range
Exercise--Medium Force Exercise. integrates with surface and submarine units in MF1C, Broadband (MF Complex, Navy
Integrated ASW. a challenging multi-threat operational to HF). Cherry Point Range
environment to maintain ability to deploy. Complex, Virginia
Capes Range
Complex.
Acoustic.................. Small Integrated ASW Navy Undersea Warfare Multiple ships, aircraft, and submarines LFH, MFM, MFH, MF1, 2 14 Jacksonville Range
Training. Training Assessment integrate the use of their sensors, including MF1C, Broadband (MF Complex, Navy
Course. sonobuoys, to search for, detect, classify, to HF). Cherry Point Range
localize, and track a threat submarine. Complex, Virginia
Capes Range
Complex.
Acoustic.................. Small Integrated ASW Surface Warfare Multiple ships and aircraft coordinate the use LFH, MFM, MFH, MF1, 2 14 Jacksonville Range
Training. Advanced Tactical of sensors, including sonobuoys, to search, MF1C, Broadband (MF Complex, Navy
Training. detect, and track a threat submarine. Surface to HF). Cherry Point Range
Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) Complex, Virginia
exercises are not dedicated anti-submarine Capes Range
warfare exercises and involve multiple warfare Complex.
areas.
Acoustic.................. Medium Coordinated Tactical Development Multiple ships, aircraft, and submarines MFM, MFH, MF1, MF1C, 1 7 Jacksonville Range
ASW Training. Exercise. coordinate their efforts to search for, Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
detect, and track submarines with the use of
all sensors. Anti-Submarine Warfare Tactical
Development Exercise is a dedicated anti-
submarine warfare exercise.
Acoustic.................. Medium Coordinated Tactical Development Multiple ships, aircraft, and submarines MFM, MFH, MF1, MF1C, 1 7 Virginia Capes Range
ASW Training. Exercise. coordinate their efforts to search for, Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
detect, and track submarines with the use of
all sensors. Anti-Submarine Warfare Tactical
Development Exercise is a dedicated anti-
submarine warfare exercise.
Acoustic.................. Small Coordinated ASW Group Sail........... Surface ships, Coast Guard Cutters, and MFM, MFH, MF1, MF1C, 5 35 Jacksonville Range
Training. helicopters integrate to search for, detect, Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
and track threat submarines. Group Sails are
not dedicated anti-submarine warfare exercises
and involve multiple warfare areas.
Acoustic.................. Small Coordinated ASW Group Sail........... Surface ships, Coast Guard Cutters, and MFM, MFH, MF1, MF1C, 4 28 Navy Cherry Point
Training. helicopters integrate to search for, detect, Broadband (MF to HF). Range Complex.
and track threat submarines. Group Sails are
not dedicated anti-submarine warfare exercises
and involve multiple warfare areas.
Acoustic.................. Small Coordinated ASW Group Sail........... Surface ships, Coast Guard Cutters, and MFM, MFH, MF1, MF1C, 5 35 Virginia Capes Range
Training. helicopters integrate to search for, detect, Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
and track threat submarines. Group Sails are
not dedicated anti-submarine warfare exercises
and involve multiple warfare areas.
Acoustic.................. Small Coordinated ASW Amphibious Ready Amphibious Ready Group exercises are conducted LFH, MFM, MFH, MF1, 1 7 Navy Cherry Point
Training. Group Marine to validate the Marine Expeditionary Unit's Broadband (MF to HF). Range Complex.
Expeditionary Unit readiness for deployment and include small
Composite Training boat raids; visit, board, search, and seizure
Unit Exercise. training; helicopter and mechanized amphibious
raids; and non-combatant evacuation
operations.
Explosive................. Amphibious Warfare... Amphibious Operations Navy and Marine Corps forces conduct operations E1, E2, E3, E6, E9, 45 315 Navy Cherry Point
in a Contested in coastal and offshore waterways against air, E10. Range Complex.
Environment. surface, and subsurface threats.

[[Page 19867]]

Explosive................. Amphibious Warfare... Amphibious Operations Navy and Marine Corps forces conduct operations E1, E2, E3, E6, E9, 12 84 Virginia Capes Range
in a Contested in coastal and offshore waterways against air, E10. Complex.
Environment. surface, and subsurface threats.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Helicopter crews search for, track, and detect MFM, MFH, HFH, 14 98 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo submarines. Recoverable air launched torpedoes Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
Exercise--Helicopter. are employed against submarine targets.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Helicopter crews search for, track, and detect MFM, MFH, HFH, 4 28 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo submarines. Recoverable air launched torpedoes Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
Exercise--Helicopter. are employed against submarine targets.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Maritime patrol aircraft crews search for, MFM, HFH, Broadband 14 98 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo track, and detect submarines. Recoverable air (MF to HF). Complex.
Exercise--Maritime launched torpedoes are employed against
Patrol Aircraft. submarine targets.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Maritime patrol aircraft crews search for, MFM, HFH, Broadband 4 28 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo track, and detect submarines. Recoverable air (MF to HF). Complex.
Exercise--Maritime launched torpedoes are employed against
Patrol Aircraft. submarine targets.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Surface ship crews search for, track, and MF1, HFH, Broadband 16 112 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo detect submarines. Exercise torpedoes are used (MF to HF). Complex.
Exercise--Ship. during this exercise.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Surface ship crews search for, track, and MF1, HFH, Broadband 5 35 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo detect submarines. Exercise torpedoes are used (MF to HF). Complex.
Exercise--Ship. during this exercise.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Submarine crews search for, track, and detect HFH, Broadband (MF to 12 84 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo submarines. Exercise torpedoes are used during HF). Complex.
Exercise--Submarine. this exercise.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Submarine crews search for, track, and detect HFH, Broadband (MF to 6 42 Northeast Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo submarines. Exercise torpedoes are used during HF). Complexes.
Exercise--Submarine. this exercise.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Submarine crews search for, track, and detect HFH, Broadband (MF to 2 14 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo submarines. Exercise torpedoes are used during HF). Complex.
Exercise--Submarine. this exercise.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Helicopter crews search for, track, and detect MFM, MFH............. 3 21 Gulf Range Complex.
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines.
Exercise--Helicopter.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Helicopter crews search for, track, and detect MFM, MFH............. 370 2,590 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines. Complex.
Exercise--Helicopter.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Helicopter crews search for, track, and detect MFM, MFH............. 12 84 Navy Cherry Point
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines. Range Complex.
Exercise--Helicopter.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Helicopter crews search for, track, and detect MFM, MFH............. 24 168 Other AFTT Areas.
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines.
Exercise--Helicopter.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Helicopter crews search for, track, and detect MFM, MFH............. 8 56 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines. Complex.
Exercise--Helicopter.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Maritime patrol aircraft crews search for, LFM, LFH, MFM........ 475 3,325 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking track, and detect submarines. Complex.
Exercise--Maritime
Patrol Aircraft.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Maritime patrol aircraft crews search for, LFM, LFH, MFM........ 35 245 Navy Cherry Point
Warfare. Warfare Tracking track, and detect submarines. Range Complex.
Exercise--Maritime
Patrol Aircraft.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Maritime patrol aircraft crews search for, LFM, LFH, MFM........ 80 560 Northeast Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking track, and detect submarines. Complexes.
Exercise--Maritime
Patrol Aircraft.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Maritime patrol aircraft crews search for, LFM, LFH, MFM........ 155 1,085 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking track, and detect submarines. Complex.
Exercise--Maritime
Patrol Aircraft.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Surface ship crews search for, track, and MFH, MF1, MF1C, 5 35 Gulf Range Complex.
Warfare. Warfare Tracking detect submarines. Exercise torpedoes may be Broadband (MF to HF).
Exercise--Ship. used during this event.

[[Page 19868]]

Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Surface ship crews search for, track, and MFH, MF1, MF1C, 290 2,030 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking detect submarines. Exercise torpedoes may be Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
Exercise--Ship. used during this event.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Surface ship crews search for, track, and MFH, MF1, MF1C, 33 231 Navy Cherry Point
Warfare. Warfare Tracking detect submarines. Exercise torpedoes may be Broadband (MF to HF). Range Complex.
Exercise--Ship. used during this event.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Surface ship crews search for, track, and MFH, MF1, MF1C, 5 35 Northeast Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking detect submarines. Exercise torpedoes may be Broadband (MF to HF). Complexes.
Exercise--Ship. used during this event.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Surface ship crews search for, track, and MFH, MF1, MF1C, 55 385 Other AFTT Areas.
Warfare. Warfare Tracking detect submarines. Exercise torpedoes may be Broadband (MF to HF).
Exercise--Ship. used during this event.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Surface ship crews search for, track, and MFH, MF1, MF1C, 120 840 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking detect submarines. Exercise torpedoes may be Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
Exercise--Ship. used during this event.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Submarine crews search for, track, and detect LFH, MFH, HFH........ 13 91 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines. Complex.
Exercise--Submarine.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Submarine crews search for, track, and detect LFH, MFH, HFH........ 1 7 Navy Cherry Point
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines. Range Complex.
Exercise--Submarine.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Submarine crews search for, track, and detect LFH, MFH, HFH........ 18 126 Northeast Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines. Complexes.
Exercise--Submarine.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Submarine crews search for, track, and detect LFH, MFH, HFH........ 46 308 Other AFTT Areas.
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines.
Exercise--Submarine.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Submarine crews search for, track, and detect LFH, MFH, HFH........ 6 42 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking submarines. Complex.
Exercise--Submarine.
Acoustic.................. Expeditionary Warfare Port Damage Repair... Navy and Coast Guard Expeditionary forces train Pile driving......... 4 28 Gulfport, MS.
to repair critical port facilities.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Mine Helicopter aircrew detect mines using towed or HFH.................. 290 2,030 Gulf Range Complex.
Countermeasures--Min laser mine detection systems.
e Detection.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Mine Helicopter aircrew detect mines using towed or HFH.................. 275 1,925 Jacksonville Range
Countermeasures--Min laser mine detection systems. Complex.
e Detection.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Mine Helicopter aircrew detect mines using towed or HFH.................. 187 1,309 Key West Range
Countermeasures--Min laser mine detection systems. Complex.
e Detection.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Mine Helicopter aircrew detect mines using towed or HFH.................. 321 2,247 Navy Cherry Point
Countermeasures--Min laser mine detection systems. Range Complex.
e Detection.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Mine Helicopter aircrew detect mines using towed or HFH.................. 1,420 9,940 Virginia Capes Range
Countermeasures--Min laser mine detection systems. Complex.
e Detection.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Civilian Port Coast Guard and Navy Maritime security MFH, HFM, HFH........ 0-1 4 Boston, MA;
Defense--Homeland personnel train to protect civilian ports and Beaumont, TX;
Security Anti- harbors against enemy efforts to interfere Corpus Christi, TX;
Terrorism/Force with access to those ports. Delaware Bay, DE;
Protection Exercises. Earle, NJ; Hampton
Roads, VA; Kings
Bay, GA; Mayport,
FL; Morehead City,
NC; Port Canaveral,
FL; Savannah, GA;
Tampa, FL;
Wilmington, NC.

[[Page 19869]]

Acoustic and Explosive.... Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasures-- Ship, small boat, and helicopter crews locate HFM, E4.............. * 66 * 462 Gulf Range Complex.
Mine Neutralization-- and disable mines using remotely operated
Remotely Operated underwater vehicles. All events include
Vehicles. acoustic sources, only a fraction involve
explosives.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasures-- Ship, small boat, and helicopter crews locate HFM, E4.............. 36 252 Jacksonville Range
Mine Neutralization-- and disable mines using remotely operated Complex.
Remotely Operated underwater vehicles. All events include
Vehicles. acoustic sources, only a fraction involve
explosives.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasures-- Ship, small boat, and helicopter crews locate HFM, E4.............. 10 70 Key West Range
Mine Neutralization-- and disable mines using remotely operated Complex.
Remotely Operated underwater vehicles. All events include
Vehicles. acoustic sources, only a fraction involve
explosives.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasures-- Ship, small boat, and helicopter crews locate HFM, E4.............. * 36 * 252 Navy Cherry Point
Mine Neutralization-- and disable mines using remotely operated Range Complex.
Remotely Operated underwater vehicles. All events include
Vehicles. acoustic sources, only a fraction involve
explosives.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasures-- Ship, small boat, and helicopter crews locate HFM, E4.............. * 315 * 2,205 Virginia Capes Range
Mine Neutralization-- and disable mines using remotely operated Complex.
Remotely Operated underwater vehicles. All events include
Vehicles. acoustic sources, only a fraction involve
explosives.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasures-- Ship crews detect and avoid mines while HFH.................. 22 * 462 Gulf Range Complex.
Ship Sonar. navigating restricted areas or channels using
active sonar.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasures-- Ship crews detect and avoid mines while HFH.................. 53 252 Jacksonville Range
Ship Sonar. navigating restricted areas or channels using Complex.
active sonar.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasures-- Ship crews detect and avoid mines while HFH.................. 53 70 Virginia Capes Range
Ship Sonar. navigating restricted areas or channels using Complex.
active sonar.
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Neutralization Personnel disable threat mines using explosive E6................... * 96 * 672 Gulf Range Complex.
Explosive Ordnance charges.
Disposal.
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Neutralization Personnel disable threat mines using explosive E5, E6............... * 100 * 700 Jacksonville Range
Explosive Ordnance charges. Complex.
Disposal.
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Neutralization Personnel disable threat mines using explosive E5, E6, E7........... * 30 * 210 Key West Range
Explosive Ordnance charges. Complex.
Disposal.
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Neutralization Personnel disable threat mines using explosive E5................... * 176 * 1,232 Key West Range
Explosive Ordnance charges. Complex Inshore.
Disposal.
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Neutralization Personnel disable threat mines using explosive E6................... * 86 * 602 Navy Cherry Point
Explosive Ordnance charges. Range Complex.
Disposal.
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Neutralization Personnel disable threat mines using explosive E5, E6, E7........... * 325 * 2,275 Virginia Capes Range
Explosive Ordnance charges. Complex.
Disposal.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Submarine Mine Laying Submarine crews or UUVs deploy exercise mobile MFM, HFL, HFM, VHFL.. 2 14 Jacksonville Range
mines or mines. Complex.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Surface Ship Object Ship crews detect and avoid mines while MF1K................. 76 532 Jacksonville Range
Detection. navigating restricted areas or channels using Complex.
active sonar.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Surface Ship Object Ship crews detect and avoid mines while MF1K................. 162 1,134 Virginia Capes Range
Detection. navigating restricted areas or channels using Complex.
active sonar.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Bombing Exercise Air- Fixed-wing aircrew deliver bombs against E9, E10.............. * 47 * 329 Gulf Range Complex.
to-Surface. surface targets.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Bombing Exercise Air- Fixed-wing aircrew deliver bombs against E9, E10.............. * 260 1,820* Jacksonville Range
to-Surface. surface targets. Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Bombing Exercise Air- Fixed-wing aircrew deliver bombs against E9, E10, E12......... * 272 * 1,904 Virginia Capes Range
to-Surface. surface targets. Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Small boat crews fire medium-caliber guns at E1................... * 404 * 2,828 Virginia Capes Range
Surface-to-Surface surface targets. Complex.
Boat Medium-Caliber.

[[Page 19870]]

Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3, E5............... * 8 * 56 Gulf Range Complex.
Surface-to-Surface surface targets.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3, E5............... * 46 * 322 Jacksonville Range
Surface-to-Surface surface targets. Complex.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3, E5............... * 34 * 238 Navy Cherry Point
Surface-to-Surface surface targets. Range Complex.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3, E5............... * 9 * 63 Other AFTT Areas.
Surface-to-Surface surface targets.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3, E5............... * 63 *441 Virginia Capes Range
Surface-to-Surface surface targets. Complex.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Integrated Live Fire Naval forces defend against a swarm of surface E10.................. 2 14 Jacksonville Range
Exercise. threats (ships or small boats) with bombs, Complex.
missiles, rockets, and small-, medium- and
large-caliber guns.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Integrated Live Fire Naval forces defend against a swarm of surface E10.................. 2 14 Virginia Capes Range
Exercise. threats (ships or small boats) with bombs, Complex.
missiles, rockets, and small-, medium- and
large-caliber guns.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Air- Helicopter aircrew fire both precision-guided E3................... 10 70 Gulf Range Complex.
to-Surface--Rocket. and unguided rockets at surface targets.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Air- Helicopter aircrew fire both precision-guided E3................... 115 805 Jacksonville Range
to-Surface--Rocket. and unguided rockets at surface targets. Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Air- Helicopter aircrew fire both precision-guided E3................... 15 105 Navy Cherry Point
to-Surface--Rocket. and unguided rockets at surface targets. Range Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Air- Helicopter aircrew fire both precision-guided E3................... 100 700 Virginia Capes Range
to-Surface--Rocket. and unguided rockets at surface targets. Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Air- Fixed-wing and helicopter aircrew fire air-to- E6, E8, E9........... 81 567 Jacksonville Range
to-Surface. surface missiles at surface targets. Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Air- Fixed-wing and helicopter aircrew fire air-to- E6................... 8 56 Key West Range
to-Surface. surface missiles at surface targets. Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Air- Fixed-wing and helicopter aircrew fire air-to- E6................... 72 504 Navy Cherry Point
to-Surface. surface missiles at surface targets. Range Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Air- Fixed-wing and helicopter aircrew fire air-to- E6, E8, E9........... 83 581 Virginia Capes Range
to-Surface. surface missiles at surface targets. Complex.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Surface ship crews defend against surface E6, E9............... 19 133 Jacksonville Range
Surface-to-Surface. threats (ships or small boats) and engage them Complex.
with missiles.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Missile Exercise Surface ship crews defend against surface E6, E9............... 15 105 Virginia Capes Range
Surface-to-Surface. threats (ships or small boats) and engage them Complex.
with missiles.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Surface Warfare...... Sinking Exercise..... Aircraft, ship, cutter, and submarine crews HFH, E5, E8, E9, E11. 1 7 SINKEX Box.
deliberately sink a seaborne target, usually a
decommissioned ship made environmentally safe
for sinking according to U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency standards, with a variety of
ordnance.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Navigation. Submarine crews operate sonar for navigation MFH.................. 29 203 Jacksonville Range
Activities. and detection while transiting into and out of Complex.
port during reduced visibility.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Navigation. Submarine crews operate sonar for navigation MFH.................. 169 1,183 Northeast Range
Activities. and detection while transiting into and out of Complexes.
port during reduced visibility.

[[Page 19871]]

Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Navigation. Submarine crews operate sonar for navigation MFH.................. 84 588 Virginia Capes Range
Activities. and detection while transiting into and out of Complex, Virginia
port during reduced visibility. Capes Range Complex
Inshore.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Sonar Maintenance of submarine sonar and other system MFH.................. 4 28 Jacksonville Range
Activities. Maintenance and checks are conducted pierside or at sea. Complex.
Systems Checks.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Sonar Maintenance of submarine sonar and other system MFH.................. 2 14 Port Canaveral, FL.
Activities. Maintenance and checks are conducted pierside or at sea.
Systems Checks.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Sonar Maintenance of submarine sonar and other system MFH.................. 2 14 NSB Kings Bay.
Activities. Maintenance and checks are conducted pierside or at sea.
Systems Checks.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Sonar Maintenance of submarine sonar and other system MFH.................. 66 462 Northeast Range
Activities. Maintenance and checks are conducted pierside or at sea. Complexes.
Systems Checks.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Sonar Maintenance of submarine sonar and other system MFH.................. 66 462 NSB New London.
Activities. Maintenance and checks are conducted pierside or at sea.
Systems Checks.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Sonar Maintenance of submarine sonar and other system MFH.................. 12 84 Other AFTT Areas.
Activities. Maintenance and checks are conducted pierside or at sea.
Systems Checks.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Sonar Maintenance of submarine sonar and other system MFH.................. 34 238 Virginia Capes Range
Activities. Maintenance and checks are conducted pierside or at sea. Complex.
Systems Checks.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Sonar Maintenance of submarine sonar and other system MFH.................. 34 238 NS Norfolk.
Activities. Maintenance and checks are conducted pierside or at sea.
Systems Checks.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Under Ice Submarine crews operate sonar while transiting HFH.................. 3 21 Jacksonville Range
Activities. Certification. under ice. Ice conditions are simulated during Complex.
training and certification events.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Under Ice Submarine crews operate sonar while transiting HFH.................. 3 21 Navy Cherry Point
Activities. Certification. under ice. Ice conditions are simulated during Range Complex.
training and certification events.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Under Ice Submarine crews operate sonar while transiting HFH.................. 9 63 Northeast Range
Activities. Certification. under ice. Ice conditions are simulated during Complexes.
training and certification events.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Submarine Under Ice Submarine crews operate sonar while transiting HFH.................. 9 63 Virginia Capes Range
Activities. Certification. under ice. Ice conditions are simulated during Complex.
training and certification events.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Surface Ship Sonar Maintenance of surface ship sonar and other MF1, MF1K............ 50 350 Jacksonville Range
Activities. Maintenance and system checks are conducted pierside or at Complex.
Systems Checks. sea.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Surface Ship Sonar Maintenance of surface ship sonar and other MF1, MF1K............ 50 350 NS Mayport.
Activities. Maintenance and system checks are conducted pierside or at
Systems Checks. sea.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Surface Ship Sonar Maintenance of surface ship sonar and other MF1, MF1K............ 120 840 Navy Cherry Point
Activities. Maintenance and system checks are conducted pierside or at Range Complex.
Systems Checks. sea.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Surface Ship Sonar Maintenance of surface ship sonar and other MF1, MF1K............ 175 1,225 NS Norfolk.
Activities. Maintenance and system checks are conducted pierside or at
Systems Checks. sea.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Surface Ship Sonar Maintenance of surface ship sonar and other MF1, MF1K............ 18 126 Other AFTT Areas.
Activities. Maintenance and system checks are conducted pierside or at
Systems Checks. sea.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Surface Ship Sonar Maintenance of surface ship sonar and other MF1, MF1K............ 175 1,225 Virginia Capes Range
Activities. Maintenance and system checks are conducted pierside or at Complex.
Systems Checks. sea.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 10 70 Gulf Range Complex.
Activities. Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH,
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.

[[Page 19872]]

Acoustic.................. Other Training Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 22 154 Jacksonville Range
Activities. Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Complex.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 10 70 Navy Cherry Point
Activities. Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Range Complex.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 12 84 Northeast Range
Activities. Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Complexes.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 32 224 Virginia Capes Range
Activities. Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Complex.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
Acoustic.................. Other Training Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 21 147 Virginia Capes Range
Activities. Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Complex Inshore.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: AFTT: Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing; DE: Delaware; FL: Florida; GA: Georgia; JEB: Joint Expeditionary Base; MA: Massachusetts; MS: Mississippi; NC: North Carolina; NJ: New Jersey;
NS: Naval Station; NSB: Naval Submarine Base; SINKEX: Sinking Exercise; TX: Texas; VA: Virginia. The Gulf Range Complex includes geographically separated areas throughout the Gulf of
America.
* Only a small subset of these activities include explosive ordnance.

Table 6--Proposed Coast Guard Training Activities Analyzed Within the AFTT Study Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Number of
Stressor category Activity type Activity name Description Source bin activities activities Location
1-year 7-year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3................... * 29 203 Gulf Range complex.
Surface-to-Surface surface targets.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3................... 15 105 Jacksonville Range
Surface-to-Surface surface targets. Complex.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3................... 10 70 Navy Cherry Point
Surface-to-Surface surface targets. Range Complex.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3................... * 15 105 Northeast Range
Surface-to-Surface surface targets. Complexes.
Ship Large-Caliber.

[[Page 19873]]

Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gunnery Exercise Surface ship crews fire large-caliber guns at E3................... * 20 140 Virginia Capes Range
Surface-to-Surface surface targets. Complex.
Ship Large-Caliber.
Acoustic.................. Surface Warfare...... Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 10 70 Gulf Range Complex.
Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH,
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
Acoustic.................. Surface Warfare...... Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 10 70 Jacksonville Range
Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Complex.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
Acoustic.................. Surface Warfare...... Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 10 70 Navy Cherry Point
Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Range Complex.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
Acoustic.................. Surface Warfare...... Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 20 140 Virginia Capes Range
Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Complex.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
Acoustic.................. Surface Warfare...... Unmanned Underwater Unmanned underwater vehicle certification MFH, HFL, HFM, VHFL, 20 140 Virginia Capes Range
Vehicle Training-- involves training with unmanned platforms to VHFM, VHFH, Complex Inshore.
Certification and ensure submarine crew proficiency. Tactical Broadband (MF to
Development. development involves training with various HF), Broadband (HF
payloads, for multiple purposes to ensure that to VHF).
the systems can be employed effectively in an
operational environment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The Gulf Range Complex includes geographically separated areas throughout the Gulf of America.
* Only a small subset of these activities include explosive ordnance.

[[Page 19874]]

Overview of Testing Activities Within the Study Area
While this proposed rule includes an evaluation of proposed
training activities by both the Navy and Coast Guard, all testing
activities evaluated in this proposed rule would only be conducted by
the Navy. The Navy's research and acquisition community engages in a
broad spectrum of testing activities, some of which ultimately support
both Action Proponents. These activities include, but are not limited
to, basic and applied scientific research and technology development;
testing, evaluation, and maintenance of systems (e.g., missiles, radar,
and sonar) and platforms (e.g., surface ships, submarines, and
aircraft); and acquisition of systems and platforms to support Navy
missions and give a technological edge over adversaries. The individual
commands within the research and acquisition community included in the
application are Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Naval Sea Systems
Command (NAVSEA), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
The Action Proponents operate in an ever-changing strategic,
tactical, financially-constrained, and time-constrained environment.
Testing activities occur in response to emerging science or fleet
operational needs. For example, future Navy studies to develop a better
understanding of ocean currents may be designed based on advancements
made by non-government researchers not yet published in the scientific
literature. Similarly, future but yet unknown Navy and Coast Guard
operations within a specific geographic area may require development of
modified Navy assets to address local conditions. Such modifications
must be tested in the field to ensure they meet fleet needs and
requirements. Accordingly, generic descriptions of some of these
activities are the best that can be articulated in a long-term,
comprehensive document.
Some testing activities are similar to training activities
conducted by the fleet (e.g., both the fleet and the research and
acquisition community fire torpedoes). While the firing of a torpedo
might look identical to an observer, the difference is in the purpose
of the firing. The fleet might fire the torpedo to practice the
procedures for such a firing, whereas the research and acquisition
community might be assessing a new torpedo guidance technology or
testing it to ensure the torpedo meets performance specifications and
operational requirements.
NAVAIR testing activities support its mission to provide full life
cycle support of naval aviation aircraft, weapons, and systems to be
operated by the Navy and Coast Guard. NAVAIR activities closely follow
Navy primary mission areas, such as the testing of airborne mine
warfare and anti-submarine warfare weapons and systems. NAVAIR
activities include, but are not limited to, the testing of new aircraft
platforms, weapons, and systems that have not yet been integrated into
the Navy fleet and Coast Guard. In addition to testing new platforms
and weapon systems, most aircraft and weapon systems that have been
integrated into the fleet also require follow-on testing throughout
their lifecycle in conjunction with maintenance and upgrades, such as
software revisions, to ensure that they function as designed. While
these types of activities do not fall within one of the fleet primary
mission areas, most NAVAIR testing activities can be easily correlated
to fleet training activities. Some testing activities may be conducted
in different locations and in a different manner than similar fleet
training activities and, therefore, the analysis for those events and
the potential environmental effects may differ. Table 7 summarizes the
proposed testing activities for NAVAIR analyzed within the AFTT Study
Area.

[[Page 19875]]

Table 7--Proposed NAVAIR Testing Activities Analyzed Within the AFTT Study Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Number of
Stressor category Activity type Activity name Description Source bin activities activities Location
1-year 7-year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine The test evaluates the sensors and systems used LFM, LFH, MFM, HFM... 15 105 Gulf Range Complex.
Warfare. Warfare Tracking by fixed-wing aircraft to detect and track
Test (Fixed-Wing). submarines and to ensure that aircraft systems
used to deploy the tracking systems perform to
specifications and meet operational
requirements.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine The test evaluates the sensors and systems used LFM, LFH, MFM, HFM... 19 133 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking by fixed-wing aircraft to detect and track Complex.
Test (Fixed-Wing). submarines and to ensure that aircraft systems
used to deploy the tracking systems perform to
specifications and meet operational
requirements.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine The test evaluates the sensors and systems used LFM, LFH, MFM, HFM... 12 84 Key West Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking by fixed-wing aircraft to detect and track Complex.
Test (Fixed-Wing). submarines and to ensure that aircraft systems
used to deploy the tracking systems perform to
specifications and meet operational
requirements.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine The test evaluates the sensors and systems used LFM, LFH, MFM, HFM... 15 105 Navy Cherry Point
Warfare. Warfare Tracking by fixed-wing aircraft to detect and track Range Complex.
Test (Fixed-Wing). submarines and to ensure that aircraft systems
used to deploy the tracking systems perform to
specifications and meet operational
requirements.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine The test evaluates the sensors and systems used LFM, LFH, MFM, HFM... 45 315 Northeast Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking by fixed-wing aircraft to detect and track Complexes.
Test (Fixed-Wing). submarines and to ensure that aircraft systems
used to deploy the tracking systems perform to
specifications and meet operational
requirements.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine The test evaluates the sensors and systems used LFM, LFH, MFM, HFM... 25 175 SINKEX Box.
Warfare. Warfare Tracking by fixed-wing aircraft to detect and track
Test (Fixed-Wing). submarines and to ensure that aircraft systems
used to deploy the tracking systems perform to
specifications and meet operational
requirements.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine The test evaluates the sensors and systems used LFM, LFH, MFM, HFM... 25 175 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking by fixed-wing aircraft to detect and track Complex.
Test (Fixed-Wing). submarines and to ensure that aircraft systems
used to deploy the tracking systems perform to
specifications and meet operational
requirements.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine This event is similar to the training event HFH.................. 20-43 209 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo Test. torpedo exercise. Test evaluates anti- Complex.
submarine warfare systems onboard rotary-wing
and fixed-wing aircraft and the ability to
search for, detect, classify, localize, track,
and attack a submarine or similar target.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine This event is similar to the training event HFH.................. 40-121 523 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Torpedo Test. torpedo exercise. Test evaluates anti- Complex.
submarine warfare systems onboard rotary-wing
and fixed-wing aircraft and the ability to
search for, detect, classify, localize, track,
and attack a submarine or similar target.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine This event is similar to the training event MFM, MFH............. 6 42 Gulf Range Complex.
Warfare. Warfare Tracking anti-submarine tracking exercise-helicopter.
Test (Rotary-Wing). The test evaluates the sensors and systems
used to detect and track submarines and to
ensure that helicopter systems used to deploy
the tracking systems perform to
specifications.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine This event is similar to the training event MFM, MFH............. 23 161 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking anti-submarine tracking exercise-helicopter. Complex.
Test (Rotary-Wing). The test evaluates the sensors and systems
used to detect and track submarines and to
ensure that helicopter systems used to deploy
the tracking systems perform to
specifications.

[[Page 19876]]

Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine This event is similar to the training event MFM, MFH............. 27 189 Key West Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking anti-submarine tracking exercise-helicopter. Complex.
Test (Rotary-Wing). The test evaluates the sensors and systems
used to detect and track submarines and to
ensure that helicopter systems used to deploy
the tracking systems perform to
specifications.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine This event is similar to the training event MFM, MFH............. 110 770 Northeast Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking anti-submarine tracking exercise-helicopter. Complexes.
Test (Rotary-Wing). The test evaluates the sensors and systems
used to detect and track submarines and to
ensure that helicopter systems used to deploy
the tracking systems perform to
specifications.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine This event is similar to the training event MFM, MFH............. 280 1,960 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Warfare Tracking anti-submarine tracking exercise-helicopter. Complex.
Test (Rotary-Wing). The test evaluates the sensors and systems
used to detect and track submarines and to
ensure that helicopter systems used to deploy
the tracking systems perform to
specifications.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Kilo Dip Test........ Functional check of a helicopter deployed MFH.................. 6 42 Gulf Range Complex.
Warfare. dipping sonar system prior to conducting a
testing or training event using the dipping
sonar system.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Kilo Dip Test........ Functional check of a helicopter deployed MFH.................. 6 42 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. dipping sonar system prior to conducting a Complex.
testing or training event using the dipping
sonar system.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Kilo Dip Test........ Functional check of a helicopter deployed MFH.................. 6 42 Key West Range
Warfare. dipping sonar system prior to conducting a Complex.
testing or training event using the dipping
sonar system.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Kilo Dip Test........ Functional check of a helicopter deployed MFH.................. 4 28 Northeast Range
Warfare. dipping sonar system prior to conducting a Complexes.
testing or training event using the dipping
sonar system.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Kilo Dip Test........ Functional check of a helicopter deployed MFH.................. 40 280 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. dipping sonar system prior to conducting a Complex.
testing or training event using the dipping
sonar system.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Anti-Submarine Sonobuoy Lot Sonobuoys are deployed from surface vessels and LFM, LFH, MFM, HFM * 186 * 1,302 Key West Range
Warfare. Acceptance Test. aircraft to verify the integrity and E1, E3. Complex.
performance of a lot or group of sonobuoys in
advance of delivery to the fleet for
operational use.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Dipping A mine-hunting dipping sonar system that is HFH.................. 32 224 NSWC Panama City
Sonar Minehunting deployed from a helicopter and uses high- Testing Range.
Test. frequency sonar for the detection and
classification of bottom and moored mines.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Dipping A mine-hunting dipping sonar system that is HFH.................. 40 280 Virginia Capes Range
Sonar Minehunting deployed from a helicopter and uses high- Complex.
Test. frequency sonar for the detection and
classification of bottom and moored mines.
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Mine A test of the airborne mine neutralization E4................... * 27 * 189 NSWC Panama City
Neutralization system evaluates the system's ability to Testing Range.
System Test. detect and destroy mines from an airborne mine
countermeasures capable helicopter. The
airborne mine neutralization system uses up to
four unmanned underwater vehicles equipped
with high-frequency sonar, video cameras, and
explosive and non-explosive neutralizers.

[[Page 19877]]

Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Mine A test of the airborne mine neutralization E4................... * 25 * 175 Virginia Capes Range
Neutralization system evaluates the system's ability to Complex.
System Test. detect and destroy mines from an airborne mine
countermeasures capable helicopter. The
airborne mine neutralization system uses up to
four unmanned underwater vehicles equipped
with high-frequency sonar, video cameras, and
explosive and non-explosive neutralizers.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Minehunting A mine-hunting system made up of sonobuoys is MFM.................. 26 182 NSWC Panama City
Test--Sonobuoy. deployed from a helicopter. A field of Testing Range.
sonobuoys, using high-frequency sonar, is used
for detection and classification of bottom and
moored mines.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Airborne Minehunting A mine-hunting system made up of sonobuoys is MFM.................. 12 84 Virginia Capes Range
Test--Sonobuoy. deployed from a helicopter. A field of Complex.
sonobuoys, using high-frequency sonar, is used
for detection and classification of bottom and
moored mines.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Air-to-Surface This event is similar to the training event E1................... 55 385 Jacksonville Range
Gunnery Test. gunnery exercise air-to-surface. Fixed-wing Complex.
and rotary-wing aircrew evaluate new or
enhanced aircraft guns against surface
maritime targets to test that the gun, gun
ammunition, or associated systems meet
required specifications or to train aircrew in
the operation of a new or enhanced weapons
system.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Air-to-Surface This event is similar to the training event E1................... 140 980 Virginia Capes Range
Gunnery Test. gunnery exercise air-to-surface. Fixed-wing Complex.
and rotary-wing aircrew evaluate new or
enhanced aircraft guns against surface
maritime targets to test that the gun, gun
ammunition, or associated systems meet
required specifications or to train aircrew in
the operation of a new or enhanced weapons
system.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Air-to-Surface This event is similar to the training event E9................... 5 35 Gulf Range Complex.
Missile Test. missile exercise air-to-surface. Test may
involve both fixed-wing and rotary-wing
aircraft launching missiles at surface
maritime targets to evaluate the weapons
system or as part of another systems
integration test.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Air-to-Surface This event is similar to the training event E6................... * 29 * 203 Jacksonville Range
Missile Test. missile exercise air-to-surface. Test may Complex.
involve both fixed-wing and rotary-wing
aircraft launching missiles at surface
maritime targets to evaluate the weapons
system or as part of another systems
integration test.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Air-to-Surface This event is similar to the training event E6................... * 117 * 819 Virginia Capes Range
Missile Test. missile exercise air-to-surface. Test may Complex.
involve both fixed-wing and rotary-wing
aircraft launching missiles at surface
maritime targets to evaluate the weapons
system or as part of another systems
integration test.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Rocket Test.......... Rocket tests are conducted to evaluate the E3................... 19 133 Jacksonville Range
integration, accuracy, performance, and safe Complex.
separation of guided and unguided 2.75-inch
rockets fired from a hovering or forward
flying helicopter or tilt rotor aircraft.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Rocket Test.......... Rocket tests are conducted to evaluate the E3................... * 35 * 245 Virginia Capes Range
integration, accuracy, performance, and safe Complex.
separation of guided and unguided 2.75-inch
rockets fired from a hovering or forward
flying helicopter or tilt rotor aircraft.

[[Page 19878]]

Acoustic.................. Other Testing Undersea Range System Following installation of a Navy underwater MFM, HFM............. 4-20 76 Jacksonville Range
Activities. Test. warfare training and testing range, tests of Complex.
the nodes (components of the range) will be
conducted to include node surveys and testing
of node transmission functionality.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: NAVAIR: Naval Air Systems Command; NSWC: Naval Surface Warfare Center. The Gulf Range Complex includes geographically separated areas throughout the Gulf of America.
* Only a small subset of these activities include explosive ordnance.

[[Page 19879]]

NAVSEA activities are aligned with its mission of new ship
construction, life cycle management, and weapon systems development.
NAVSEA activities include pierside and at-sea testing of vessel
systems, including sonar, acoustic countermeasures, radars, launch
systems, weapons, unmanned systems, and radio equipment; tests to
determine how the vessel or Coast Guard Cutter performs at sea (sea
trials); developmental and operational test and evaluation programs for
new technologies and systems; and testing on all vessels and systems
that have undergone overhaul or maintenance. In the application,
pierside testing at Navy contractor shipyards would consist only of
system testing. At-sea test firing of shipboard weapon systems,
including guns, torpedoes, and missiles, is also conducted. Testing
activities are conducted throughout the life of a vessel, from
construction to verification of performance and mission capabilities,
and further to deactivation from the fleet. Table 8 summarizes the
proposed testing activities for the NAVSEA analyzed within the AFTT
Study Area.
One ship of each new class (or major upgrade) of combat ships
constructed for the Navy typically undergoes an at-sea ship shock
trial. A ship shock trial consists of a series of underwater
detonations that send shock waves through the ship's hull to simulate
near misses during combat. A shock trial allows the Navy to assess the
survivability of the hull and ship's systems in a combat environment as
well as the capability of the ship to protect the crew.

[[Page 19880]]

Table 8--Proposed NAVSEA Testing Activities Analyzed Within the AFTT Study Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Number of
Stressor category Activity type Activity name Description Source bin activities activities Location
1-year 7-year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Ships and their supporting platforms (e.g., MFH, MF1............. 1-2 11 Gulf Range Complex.
Warfare. Warfare Mission rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial
Package Testing. systems) detect, localize, and prosecute
submarines.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Ships and their supporting platforms (e.g., MFH, MF1............. 2 14 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Warfare Mission rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial Complex.
Package Testing. systems) detect, localize, and prosecute
submarines.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Anti-Submarine Ships and their supporting platforms (e.g., MFH, MF1............. 1-2 11 Northeast Range
Warfare. Warfare Mission rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial Complexes.
Package Testing. systems) detect, localize, and prosecute
submarines.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine At-Sea Sonar Testing. At-sea testing to ensure systems are fully MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 7-9 49 Gulf Range Complex;
Warfare. functional in an open ocean environment. MF1K, HFL, HFM, HFH, Jacksonville Range
Broadband (LF to Complex; Navy
HF), Broadband (LF Cherry Point Range
to MF), Broadband Complex; Northeast
(MF to HF). Range Complexes;
SFOMF; Virginia
Capes Range
Complex.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine At-Sea Sonar Testing. At-sea testing to ensure systems are fully MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 7-14 77 Gulf Range Complex.
Warfare. functional in an open ocean environment. MF1K, HFL, HFM, HFH,
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (LF
to MF), Broadband
(MF to HF).
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine At-Sea Sonar Testing. At-sea testing to ensure systems are fully MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 4 28 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. functional in an open ocean environment. MF1K, HFL, HFM, HFH, Complex.
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (LF
to MF), Broadband
(MF to HF).
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine At-Sea Sonar Testing. At-sea testing to ensure systems are fully MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 2 14 Navy Cherry Point
Warfare. functional in an open ocean environment. MF1K, HFL, HFM, HFH, Range Complex.
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (LF
to MF), Broadband
(MF to HF).
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine At-Sea Sonar Testing. At-sea testing to ensure systems are fully MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 8-15 84 Northeast Range
Warfare. functional in an open ocean environment. MF1K, HFL, HFM, HFH, Complexes.
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (LF
to MF), Broadband
(MF to HF).

[[Page 19881]]

Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine At-Sea Sonar Testing. At-sea testing to ensure systems are fully MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 16-22 58 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. functional in an open ocean environment. MF1K, HFL, HFM, HFH, Complex.
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (LF
to MF), Broadband
(MF to HF).
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine At-Sea Sonar Testing. At-sea testing to ensure systems are fully MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 2 14 SFOMF.
Warfare. functional in an open ocean environment. MF1K, HFL, HFM, HFH,
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (LF
to MF), Broadband
(MF to HF).
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Pierside Sonar Pierside testing to ensure systems are fully MFM, MFH, HFM, HFH, 5-10 64 NSB New London; Gulf
Warfare. Testing. functional in a controlled pierside Broadband (MF to HF). Range Complex
environment prior to at-sea test activities Inshore;
and complete any required troubleshooting. Jacksonville Range
Complex; NSB Kings
Bay; Newport, RI;
NS Norfolk;
Northeast Range
Complexes; Port
Canaveral, FL;
Virginia Capes
Range Complex.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Pierside Sonar Pierside testing to ensure systems are fully MFM, MFH, HFM, HFH, 10-20 110 Bath, ME.
Warfare. Testing. functional in a controlled pierside Broadband (MF to HF).
environment prior to at-sea test activities
and complete any required troubleshooting.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Pierside Sonar Pierside testing to ensure systems are fully MFM, MFH, HFM, HFH, 10-18 94 NS Mayport.
Warfare. Testing. functional in a controlled pierside Broadband (MF to HF).
environment prior to at-sea test activities
and complete any required troubleshooting.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Pierside Sonar Pierside testing to ensure systems are fully MFM, MFH, HFM, HFH, 63-84 455 NS Norfolk.
Warfare. Testing. functional in a controlled pierside Broadband (MF to HF).
environment prior to at-sea test activities
and complete any required troubleshooting.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Pierside Sonar Pierside testing to ensure systems are fully MFM, MFH, HFM, HFH, 10-20 110 Pascagoula, MS.
Warfare. Testing. functional in a controlled pierside Broadband (MF to HF).
environment prior to at-sea test activities
and complete any required troubleshooting.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Pierside Sonar Pierside testing to ensure systems are fully MFM, MFH, HFM, HFH, 16-24 152 Portsmouth Naval
Warfare. Testing. functional in a controlled pierside Broadband (MF to HF). Shipyard.
environment prior to at-sea test activities
and complete any required troubleshooting.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Surface Ship Sonar Pierside and at-sea testing of ship systems LFL, MFM, MF1, MF1K, 1 7 Jacksonville Range
Warfare. Testing/Maintenance. occurs periodically following major Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
maintenance periods and for routine
maintenance.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Surface Ship Sonar Pierside and at-sea testing of ship systems LFL, MFM, MF1, MF1K, 4 28 Virginia Capes Range
Warfare. Testing/Maintenance. occurs periodically following major Broadband (MF to HF). Complex.
maintenance periods and for routine
maintenance.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Anti-Submarine Torpedo (Explosive) Air, surface, or submarine crews employ MFM, MFH, MF1, HFH, 1-5 17 Gulf Range Complex;
Warfare. Testing. explosive and non-explosive torpedoes against Broadband (MF to Jacksonville Range
artificial targets. HF), E8, E11. Complex; Key West
Range Complex; Navy
Cherry Point Range
Complex; Northeast
Range Complexes;
Virginia Capes
Range Complex.

[[Page 19882]]

Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Torpedo (Non- Air, surface, or submarine crews employ non- MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 13-17 82 Gulf Range Complex;
Warfare. Explosive) Testing. explosive torpedoes against targets, HFM, HFH, VHFH, Jacksonville Range
submarines, or surface vessels. Broadband (LF to Complex; Key West
HF), Broadband (MF Range Complex; Navy
to HF). Cherry Point Range
Complex; Northeast
Range Complexes;
SFOMF; Virginia
Capes Range
Complex.
Acoustic.................. Anti-Submarine Torpedo (Non- Air, surface, or submarine crews employ non- MFL, MFM, MFH, MF1, 30 210 NUWC Newport Testing
Warfare. Explosive) Testing. explosive torpedoes against targets, HFM, HFH, VHFH, Range.
submarines, or surface vessels. Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (MF
to HF).
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasure Air, surface, and subsurface vessels neutralize E4................... 18-45 315 Gulf Range Complex.
and Neutralization threat mines and mine-like objects.
Testing.
Explosive................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasure Air, surface, and subsurface vessels neutralize E4................... * 24-48 * 288 Virginia Capes Range
and Neutralization threat mines and mine-like objects. Complex.
Testing.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasure Vessels and associated aircraft conduct mine MFH, HFM, HFH........ 15 105 Gulf Range Complex.
Mission Package countermeasure operations.
Testing.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasure Vessels and associated aircraft conduct mine MFH, HFM, HFH........ 8 56 Jacksonville Range
Mission Package countermeasure operations. Complex.
Testing.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasure Vessels and associated aircraft conduct mine MFH, HFM, HFH........ 11 77 NSWC Panama City
Mission Package countermeasure operations. Testing Range.
Testing.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasure Vessels and associated aircraft conduct mine MFH, HFM, HFH........ 2 14 SFOMF.
Mission Package countermeasure operations.
Testing.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Countermeasure Vessels and associated aircraft conduct mine MFH, HFM, HFH........ 3 21 Virginia Capes Range
Mission Package countermeasure operations. Complex.
Testing.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Detection and Air, surface, and subsurface vessels and HFH.................. 0-1 1 Jacksonville Range
Classification systems detect and classify mines and mine- Complex, NSWC
Testing. like objects. Vessels also assess their Panama City Testing
potential susceptibility to mines and mine- Range, Port
like objects. Canaveral, FL.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Detection and Air, surface, and subsurface vessels and HFH.................. 0-1 4 Jacksonville Range
Classification systems detect and classify mines and mine- Complex.
Testing. like objects. Vessels also assess their
potential susceptibility to mines and mine-
like objects.
Acoustic.................. Mine Warfare......... Mine Detection and Air, surface, and subsurface vessels and HFH.................. 286-287 2,005 NSWC Panama City
Classification systems detect and classify mines and mine- Testing Range.
Testing. like objects. Vessels also assess their
potential susceptibility to mines and mine-
like objects.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Acoustic and Acoustic and Research using active transmissions from LFM, Broadband (LF to 0-1 1 Gulf Range Complex;
Oceanographic Oceanographic sources deployed from ships, aircraft, and HF), E7. Jacksonville Range
Science and Research. unmanned underwater vehicles. Research sources Complex; Key West
Technology. can be used as proxies for current and future Range Complex.
Navy systems.
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Acoustic and Research using active transmissions from LFM, Broadband (LF to 3 21 Northeast Range
Activities. Oceanographic sources deployed from ships, aircraft, and HF). Complexes.
Research. unmanned underwater vehicles. Research sources
can be used as proxies for current and future
Navy systems.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Other Testing Acoustic and Research using active transmissions from LFM, Broadband (LF to * 0-1 * 3 Key West Range
Activities. Oceanographic sources deployed from ships, aircraft, and HF), E7. Complex.
Research. unmanned underwater vehicles. Research sources
can be used as proxies for current and future
Navy systems.

[[Page 19883]]

Acoustic.................. Other Testing Acoustic and Research using active transmissions from LFM, Broadband (LF to 0-1 2 Other AFTT Areas.
Activities. Oceanographic sources deployed from ships, aircraft, and HF).
Research. unmanned underwater vehicles. Research sources
can be used as proxies for current and future
Navy systems.
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Acoustic Component Various surface vessels, moored equipment, and LFL, MFL, MFH, HFM, 33 231 SFOMF.
Activities. Testing. materials are tested to evaluate performance HFH, VHFH, Broadband
in the marine environment. (LF to HF),
Broadband (MF to HF).
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Acoustic Component Various surface vessels, moored equipment, and LFL, MFL, MFH, HFM, 1 7 Jacksonville Range
Activities. Testing. materials are tested to evaluate performance HFH, VHFH, Broadband Complex.
in the marine environment. (LF to HF),
Broadband (MF to HF).
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Countermeasure Countermeasure testing involves the testing of MFM, MFH, HFH, VHFH, 16-20 116 Gulf Range Complex;
Activities. Testing. systems that will detect, localize, track, and Broadband (LF to Jacksonville Range
engage incoming weapons, including marine HF), Broadband (MF Complex; Key West
vessel targets and airborne missiles. Testing to HF). Range Complex; Navy
includes surface ship torpedo defense systems, Cherry Point Range
marine vessel stopping payloads, and airborne Complex; Northeast
decoys against air targets. Range Complexes;
Virginia Capes
Range Complex; JEB
Little Creek Fort
Story.
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Countermeasure Countermeasure testing involves the testing of MFM, MFH, HFH, VHFH, 8-10 63 Gulf Range Complex.
Activities. Testing. systems that will detect, localize, track, and Broadband (LF to
engage incoming weapons, including marine HF), Broadband (MF
vessel targets and airborne missiles. Testing to HF).
includes surface ship torpedo defense systems,
marine vessel stopping payloads, and airborne
decoys against air targets.
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Countermeasure Countermeasure testing involves the testing of MFM, MFH, HFH, VHFH, 6 42 NUWC Newport Testing
Activities. Testing. systems that will detect, localize, track, and Broadband (LF to Range.
engage incoming weapons, including marine HF), Broadband (MF
vessel targets and airborne missiles. Testing to HF).
includes surface ship torpedo defense systems,
marine vessel stopping payloads, and airborne
decoys against air targets.
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Countermeasure Countermeasure testing involves the testing of MFM, MFH, HFH, VHFH, 6-10 13 Virginia Capes Range
Activities. Testing. systems that will detect, localize, track, and Broadband (LF to Complex.
engage incoming weapons, including marine HF), Broadband (MF
vessel targets and airborne missiles. Testing to HF).
includes surface ship torpedo defense systems,
marine vessel stopping payloads, and airborne
decoys against air targets.
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Insertion/Extraction. Testing of submersibles capable of inserting LFH, HFM, Broadband 501-502 3,514 Key West Range
Activities. and extracting personnel and payloads into (LF to MF). Complex; NSWC
denied areas from strategic distances. Panama City Testing
Range.
Explosive................. Other Testing Line Charge Testing.. Surface vessels deploy line charges to test the E4................... 4 28 NSWC Panama City
Activities. capability to safely clear an area for Testing Range.
expeditionary forces.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Other Testing Semi-Stationary Semi-stationary equipment (e.g., hydrophones) AG230, HFH, HFM, * 8-14 * 74 NSB New London;NS
Activities. Equipment Testing. is deployed to determine functionality. Broadband (LF), Mayport; NS
Broadband (LF to Norfolk; Port
HF), Broadband (MF Canaveral, FL;
to HF), MFM, VHFH, Virginia Capes
VHFM, E4. Range Complex
Inshore; Key West
Range Complex
Inshore.

[[Page 19884]]

Acoustic and Explosive.... Other Testing Semi-Stationary Semi-stationary equipment (e.g., hydrophones) AG230, HFH, HFM, 4 28 Newport, RI.
Activities. Equipment Testing. is deployed to determine functionality. Broadband (LF),
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (MF
to HF), MFM, VHFH,
VHFM, E4.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Other Testing Semi-Stationary Semi-stationary equipment (e.g., hydrophones) AG230, HFH, HFM, 30 210 NSWC Panama City
Activities. Equipment Testing. is deployed to determine functionality. Broadband (LF), Testing Range.
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (MF
to HF), MFM, VHFH,
VHFM, E4.
Acoustic and Explosive.... Other Testing Semi-Stationary Semi-stationary equipment (e.g., hydrophones) AG230, HFH, HFM, * 155-173 * 1,139 NUWC Newport Testing
Activities. Equipment Testing. is deployed to determine functionality. Broadband (LF), Range.
Broadband (LF to
HF), Broadband (MF
to HF), MFM, VHFH,
VHFM, E4.
Acoustic.................. Other Testing Towed Equipment Surface vessels or unmanned surface vehicles MFM, Broadband (LF).. 43-49 319 NUWC Newport Testing
Activities. Testing. deploy and tow equipment to determine Range.
functionality of towed systems.
Explosive................. Surface Warfare...... Gun Testing--Large- Surface crews test large-caliber guns to defend E3, E5............... * 1-15 * 20 Jacksonville Range
Caliber. against surface targets. Demonstration of Complex; Virginia

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