The National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) based in northern Michigan has begun a U.S. Navy exercise over Lake Huron that runs through Friday, July 24, officials announced. The testing includes experiments with both manned and unmanned drones, and involves ground-based equipment such as tripod-mounted communications and radar systems.
What areas are affected
Michigan authorities say the testing area covers portions of Lake Huron that include locations familiar to local recreational users: Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Island, Middle Island and Rockport State Park. The announcement stressed the experiments span surface and aerial domains and will operate with safety measures in place.
- Dates: through Friday, July 24
- Platforms: manned vessels and unmanned (air and surface) systems
- Equipment: tripod-mounted communications and radar devices
Safety and communications
Officials said the radio frequencies used for the tests will not interfere with other electronic communications in the area. They also emphasised that unmanned platforms will be accompanied by manned vessels to provide control and enhance safety.
"All these unmanned platforms will have manned vessels in the vicinity for control and safety. If members of the public see vessels in the water or unmanned airborne systems, please do not attempt to approach, touch or interfere with them," the July 13 news release said.
The exercise is collaborative and includes other wartime organisations, such as the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Crane Division. NADWC has hosted large testing events before, drawing private-sector participants and a variety of experimental projects.
Scope of NADWC facilities
Federal and state officials have highlighted NADWC's scale as a factor in choosing it for drone experimentation. The centre offers extensive training and testing space:
| Facility | Size |
|---|---|
| Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center | about 148,000 acres |
| Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center special-use airspace | about 17,000 square miles |
Last year, NADWC events attracted scores of companies and experiments; officials said the centre provides testing ground for both federal agencies and private firms. The facility was selected earlier this year by the federal government for drone testing after requests from state officials.
For residents and visitors in the Thunder Bay area, authorities advise maintaining distance from any visible military activity on the water or in the air and to refrain from attempting to contact or handle unmanned systems observed during the exercise.
