Desert Terrain Characterization of Landforms and Surface Cover within Vehicle Test Courses at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, USA

摘要

The U.S. Army Proving Ground (YPG) is the Department of Defense (DoD) desert environment test center. YPG has ～320 km of unpaved vehicle test courses that cross a variety of landforms of diverse geologic age and characteristics. The surface cover of the courses ranges from bedrock to silt and their topography varies from steep and rolling to flat. Research presented here aims to provide systematic characterization of the terrain of eight vehicle endurance and three dust courses so that their comparability with other desert areas of the world may be assessed. Landform and surface cover (upper 1 m) characterization was accomplished by geomorphic mapping based on 1-meter resolution IKONOS satellite imagery and field verification, and by assimilating mapping results with pre-existing soil surveys and geologic maps. Results provide a science-based assessment of each test course, including information on the geology, landform type, soil cover, degree of desert pavement development, and dust emission potential. Data in each of these categories is presented both on individual maps for each course and in the form of tabulated data for each official milepost marker along the courses. The results for one course area and an example of how they may be used to assess comparability with another desert of strategic interest are presented here. This work will help to improve the fidelity of desert testing during material Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDTAE) prior to deployment in the field.