National & Homeland Security Testing Facilities

The National and Homeland Security Testing Facilities are singularly positioned to support a wide variety of full-scale and practical testing opportunities for the DOE, DOD, NNSA, DHS, and other federal and industrial collaborators. INL has a campus in Idaho Falls and an isolated 890-square mile Site located about 45 miles west of Idaho Falls. The Site’s unparalleled geography includes several dedicated test ranges and available airspace that allows research to be conducted safely and securely.

NHS Map
Radiological Range Explosives Test Range Electric Grid Test Bed Water test bed Secure Assessment Lab Nuclear Test Beds UAV Test Bed EV Test Labs Wireless Test Bed Control Systems Labs

Radiological Range

The laboratory’s 890-squaremile site can be used for largescale interagency technology 13-GA50222-03 and capability demonstrations. Students also have access to nuclear facilities including operating reactors, hot cells, and analytical laboratories inside a controlled location that provides a safe and secure environment for training.

  •          INL has conducted RDD and WMD classroom and field training since 2002.
  •          Participants have controlled access to live radioactive materials including sealed sources, fissile materials, and spent nuclear fuels.
  •          INL’s 890-square-mile site, nuclear infrastructure, and staff expertise are ideal for conducting detection, identification, measurement, and recovery exercises.
  •          The laboratory has provided source material and expertise to agencies wishing to conduct training at their facilities.
  •          INL’s site has been utilized for several radiological joint capability and technology demonstrations.

Explosives Test Range

The complex consists of eight indoor and outdoor ranges, and tactical training facilities located on 330 acres of iso­lated, desert-type terrain. The facilities support research and development testing and train­ing and testing of handguns, rifles and heavy weapons such as machine guns, precision rifles, grenade launchers and shoulder-fired, anti-armor weapons. Explosive training and testing, including breach­ing, is also conducted.

National Security Test Range provides access to capabilities to understand and mitigate emerging challenges being faced on the battlefield.

  • 8.7 ­km range fan
  • Classified testing capability
  • Tactical breaching training
  • Classified networking
  • Dynamic testing experience

Electric Grid Test Bed

INL operates its own electri­cal power transmission and distribution system, 24/7. The grid, which is linked with state-of-the-art SCADA, com­munications and cyber testing capabilities, is operated under a full range of climatic condi­tions (temperature, wind, snow, ice, ozone). We can safely isolate sections of the grid and associated infra­structure to conduct full-scale testing of technology, compo­nents, systems and processes.

This functioning power grid consists of 61 miles of 138 kV transmission loop distribution that feeds power to the INL and allow our expert staff to configure numerous net­work topologies to meet any customer’s needs. Within the loop there are multiple feed­ers, transformers, and seven independent substations. These resources allow us to bring testing out of the theoretical, and into the real world.

Water test bed

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Water Security Test Bed (WSTB) at INL to inform responses to disasters that interrupt domestic water supplies. About 450 feet of eight-inch piping is assembled above ground to simulate a full-scale distribution system. Researchers are able to easily modify the system and contain any nefarious agents that may be injected into the pipe as part of an experiment. A typical experiment involves injecting a biological or chemical agent followed by flushing, chlorination, or other decontamination methods.

Secure Assessment Lab

As a world leader in control systems cybersecurity, INL has more than 100,000 square feet of laboratory and electronics testing space for analyzing and testing operational technology such as industrial control systems and other relevant technology including programmable logic controllers, remote terminal units, digital relays and energy management systems. These labs are enhanced by employees with specialized expertise in operational technology cybersecurity, power systems engineering and vulnerability analysis. The lab’s control systems test beds can be connected directly to INL’s grid, creating a full-scale test and evaluation environment.

Nuclear Test Beds

INL’s radiological facilities and an expansive site provide an unprecedented environment for research, demonstration and realistic training exercises aligned with today’s national security challenges.

  • Access to various forms of nuclear materials
  • Analytical laboratories
  • Authorized environmental and safety permits
  • Expertise to support aerial measurements and ground sampling
  • Forensic and dispersion training facilities
  • Specifically suited for testing nuclear technology
  • Supports large scale nuclear technology demonstration
  • Assists in the deployment of nuclear technologies

UAV Test Bed

With its access-controlled boundary, high-desert terrain and sparse population, INL’s desert site is in a unique position to offer unmanned aerial vehicle and unmanned ground vehicle collaborative operational testing and demonstration. INL’s UAS program focuses on unique applications and missions for a wide variety of customers looking for affordable, field-deployable airframe technologies with meaningful payload and endurance. The lab’s UAS training is designed to ensure that unmanned aerial vehicles are used properly throughout the Department of Energy and its National Nuclear Security Administration. The range also supports implementation of new legislation regarding protection of critical infrastructure.

EV Test Labs

As a world leader in control systems cybersecurity, INL has more than 100,000 square feet of laboratory and electronics testing space for analyzing and testing operational technology such as industrial control systems and other relevant technology including programmable logic controllers, remote terminal units, digital relays and energy management systems. These labs are enhanced by employees with specialized expertise in operational technology cybersecurity, power systems engineering and vulnerability analysis. The lab’s control systems test beds can be connected directly to INL’s grid, creating a full-scale test and evaluation environment.

Wireless Test Bed

INL offers large-scale, end-to-end testing emerging cellular, land mobile radios, wire­less local area network and backhaul (microwave, FSO, satellite) systems to industry and government. The labo­ratory is authorized by the National Telecommunications and Information Administra­tion (NTIA) to operate as an experimental radio station.

As a result, INL can test commu­nications systems with a view toward science or technology.

With its cell tower infrastruc­ture, low RF noise, and access to INL’s experienced telecom­munications design staff and test engineers, customers can test in an isolated environ­ment without public beta test risks or impact to critical or emergency infrastructures.

  • 170 miles of fiber - OC-3, OC-12 fiber links over SONET/ATM backbone.
  • 2-way radio systems, cell phones, and hard-wired systems.
  • intranet systems, intrusion detection, firewall, and secure communications.

Control Systems Labs

As a world leader in control systems cybersecurity, INL has more than 100,000 square feet of laboratory and electronics testing space for analyzing and testing operational technology such as industrial control systems and other relevant technology including programmable logic controllers, remote terminal units, digital relays and energy management systems. These labs are enhanced by employees with specialized expertise in operational technology cybersecurity, power systems engineering and vulnerability analysis. The lab’s control systems test beds can be connected directly to INL’s grid, creating a full-scale test and evaluation environment.

Leading Capabilities

  • Several firing ranges and a blast ceiling of 20,000 pounds
  • Over 60 miles of 138kv, multiple substations and power grids
  • Cellular, microwave, satellite, and fiber-optic backhaul wireless communication systems
  • Over 100,000 square feet of cybersecurity labs, collaborative spaces and secure meeting spaces
  • Municipal water system with pressurized pipelines, household systems, and automated controls
  • Over 3,000 square miles of FAA COA airspace with a 1,000-foot unmanned aerial systems runway
  • Access to the world-leading Advanced Test Reactor and large nuclear material and post-irradiation examination hot cells

Contact Information

Michelle Farrell

Idaho National Laboratory