Navy submits draft EIS for increased training at Point Mugu Sea Range

The Navy has submitted a draft Environment Impact Statement for increased training at Point Mugu Sea Range in California, as the service prepares to test new capabilities like unmanned systems and electronic warfare.

The EIS assesses a potential ramp-up in training and testing at Point Mugu and includes two possible action scenarios. The first, which is the Navy's favored outcome, includes more directed energy and electronic warfare activities. The statement notes that capabilities like unmanned platforms, electronic warfare, directed energy and long ranged weapons could not have been part of the last statement back in 2002.

"The types and tempo of test and training activities have fluctuated because of the introduction of new technologies, the evolving nature of international events, advances in warfighting doctrine and procedures, and changes in force structure (organization of ships, submarines, aircraft, and weapons)," the executive summary reads.

"Such developments influence the frequency, duration, intensity, and location of required testing and training activities," it continues.

The second scenario would feature the new capabilities like directed energy and unmanned platforms, "but with an overall decreased annual tempo" from the one suggested in the first outcome.

"Alternative 2 is based on actual peak (highest levels) operational tempo data between 2011 and 2018, as reported in the Test Resource Management System database and other sources, and reflects an overall increase in annual tempo from the current baseline activity," the summary reads. "The historical peak operational tempo represents the highest levels required historically and would capture the future needs of the PMSR."

The draft is open for public comment from April 24 through June 8.

Inside Defense reported in May 2018 that the Navy would analyze the environmental effects of increased training at Point Mugu.