The Hidden Dangers of Yuma Proving Ground: Lasers, UXO and Protecting Trespassers

Across the United States, service members and scientists operate to maintain the nation’s military advancements. This requires extensive training and research facilities for developing, testing, and refining recent technologies. Securing these facilities from unauthorized access is paramount, not only for safety but likewise to protect sensitive information. The U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona presents a particularly unique set of hazards to potential trespassers, including military-grade lasers.

Activities at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

The U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) is a major hub for weapons testing, and is designated as restricted territory. Established in 1963 and operating under the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, it’s situated within the harsh Sonoran Desert. The YPG boasts one of the longest artillery ranges in the United States, over 200 miles of roads for testing military vehicles, and the most modern mine and demolitions test facility in the Western Hemisphere . It also serves as a location for large-scale troop training exercises.

The M-1 Abrams tank has undergone testing at YPG. Beyond conventional weaponry, the facility is also used to develop and test military laser technology, such as the U.S. Navy’s laser systems capable of neutralizing drones. Prolonged testing in controlled environments, like those at Yuma, is crucial for developing these technologies. The potential dangers posed by these lasers to unauthorized personnel necessitate stringent safety measures.

How Authorities Protect the Yuma Training Ground from Trespassers

YPG Conservation Law Enforcement Officer Sergeant Gregory Harper explained in a press release that the initial approach to trespassers is “to educate and issue a warning the first time unless there is a more serious offense connected to the trespassing.” Many individuals who enter the restricted area are unaware they are breaking the law or entering a dangerous zone, as the complex covers a vast area that may appear as open land.

“They are cooperative and their intent isn’t bad, but that won’t protect them from the hazards on our ranges,” Harper stated. These hazards are numerous. Testing of laser weapons, such as the Stryker-based Short-Range Air Defense system prototypes tested in early 2023, represents one unique threat. Conventional dangers also exist, including active artillery testing and the risk of encountering unexploded ordnance (UXO). Due to the long history of use, numerous munitions have been expended at the facility, creating a real risk of encountering buried, unexploded shells.

The surrounding landscape also presents dangers, including abandoned mines and the presence of endangered Sonoran species, like bats, that should not be disturbed.