The Texas A&M University System appropriated $60.3 million today to build the nation’s largest enclosed hypersonic testing facility, as well as an autonomous vehicle testing site, at the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex.
The Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) is being built on the RELLIS Campus as part of the A&M System’s agreement with the U.S. Army Futures Command based in Austin. The complex will provide an ecosystem to accelerate research and technology development to modernize the U.S. Army.
Of the total expenditures, $37.8 million will be spent on the Innovation Proving Ground (IPG), an outdoor testing site for autonomous vehicles. IPG construction is expected to start next summer and be completed a year later.
Also, $22.5 million will be spent on the Ballistic, Aero-Optics and Materials (BAM) Test Range, a hypersonic and laser testing facility. BAM construction is scheduled to begin in February, with substantial completion expected by October 2022.
For more information, see the A&M System’s press release.
More about the Bush Combat Development Complex
The Bush Combat Development Complex, located on the 2,000-acre RELLIS Campus, includes a full complement of facilities, equipment and instrumentation. Learn more about all of the BCDC’s planned facilities and capabilities.