Cramer Visits Yuma Proving Ground, Showcases Innovative Military Testing and Technology

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YUMA, AZ - U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) got an up-close look at next generation cutting-edge technology the U.S. Army is developing at the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in Arizona. The Army's premier large-scale test and evaluation center is a cornerstone of America's national security. From artillery systems and aircraft to cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies, YPG's expansive, isolated ranges allow rapid testing of a wide spectrum of military equipment designed to keep America safe.

Cramer observed how YPG's testing operations quickly analyze emerging threats to develop counter measures to keep American troops safe. The center is at the forefront of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) testing and maintains a strong partnership with Joint Interagency Task Force 401. Established last August, the task force was created to consolidate resources and accelerate the delivery of affordable counter-drone capabilities designed to protect U.S. personnel and facilities both at home and abroad.

***Click here to watch Cramer's remarks. Click here for audio.***

"This was a great day with the leadership and the folks here at Yuma Proving Ground, which is probably not well known, but a very, very important testing site for all things innovative that the Army leads but does for the joint force," said Cramer. "Kudos and thanks to Col. Nelson and his team. My main interest in coming here was being the chairman of the Airland Subcommittee, the fact that counter-UAS technologies are probably as important right now to warfighting as anything that's happening in the world today. It's probably an area of some vulnerability, and they've really been tasked with doing a lot of the counter-UAS and UAS testing here at Yuma. I wanted to come down and see it firsthand, particularly given that Grand Forks Air Force Base has been named by Air Combat Command to be their lead on Defense Battle Lab which does similar things. It looks out for the technologies and tries to advance the technologies to protect our military bases from unmanned aerial systems, small drones, swarms of drones, all the things that we've seen happening in places like Iran and Ukraine."

"This was an important mission for me, and an important educational opportunity for me," continued Cramer. "I was very, very encouraged, I am very encouraged by what I'm seeing, and I tried to provide a little encouragement to the folks on the ground here. I'll take back what I've learned here and bring it to my colleagues and bring it back to North Dakota."

The center plays a key role in supporting the delivery of new capabilities to the Army, joint services, and international partner forces. Its ranges, state-of-the-art technology, and expertise in evaluating military systems make it a unique asset in advancing the nation's defense and security priorities.