Longstanding Mesa Defense Alliance relationship brings private industry testing to Yuma Proving Ground

Photo By Mark Schauer | Arizona boasts a large military presence, and is home to numerous defense contractors. Though YPG has been part of the landscape for 80 years, some of the latter group may not realize that the proving ground, the busiest of the Army’s six test centers, conducts private industry tests in addition to tests for Department of Defense projects. To help spread the word, YPG has hosted multiple tours of the proving ground and its capabilities for the Mesa Defense Alliance over the past 15 years. Usually among the visitors are representatives of multiple Mesa, Arizona-based defense contractors, and sometimes even elected officials. The relationship goes both ways: Over the years, YPG personnel have toured the facilities of several Mesa-based defense contractors who manufacture military hardware pertinent to test operations at the proving ground. The most recent of these was in late July, when a group of 16 senior leaders and chiefs from multiple YPG branches visited Nammo Defense, Northrop Grumman, and The Boeing Company.  

YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES

08.09.2022

Story by Mark Schauer 

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

Arizona boasts a large military presence, and is home to numerous defense contractors.

Though U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) has been part of the landscape for 80 years, some of the latter group may not realize that the proving ground, the busiest of the Army’s six test centers, conducts private industry tests in addition to tests for Department of Defense projects.

To help spread the word, YPG has hosted multiple tours of the proving ground and its capabilities for the Mesa Defense Alliance over the past 15 years. Usually among the visitors are representatives of multiple Mesa, Arizona-based defense contractors, and sometimes even elected officials.

“When Senator (John) McCain first said I should bring our folks down to see you, there was knowledge about the testing, but a lot of our businesses were not testing down in Yuma,” said Sally Harrison, President and CEO of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. “We did show and tell and had a wonderful dinner with the community, and that started the relationship.”

Harrison said that whereas only one member of the group had tested at YPG prior to this first visit, the number quickly grew.

“I know at this point there are a lot of our members testing in Yuma instead of taking it out of state. It’s easier staying local, and it keeps the money in Arizona.”

The relationship goes both ways: Over the years, YPG personnel have toured the facilities of several Mesa-based defense contractors who manufacture military hardware pertinent to test operations at the proving ground. The most recent of these was in late July, when a group of 16 senior leaders and chiefs from multiple YPG branches visited Nammo Defense, Northrop Grumman, and The Boeing Company.

The YPG visitors interacted with personnel from all three companies that had firsthand experience testing at the proving ground, and all had exceptionally positive things to say about their time at YPG. The most common compliments related to the experience and professionalism of the workforce, the extensive test infrastructure, and the proving ground's flexibility with scheduling and willingness to adapt to last-minute test needs.

• Date Taken: 08.09.2022
• Date Posted: 08.09.2022 10:12
• Story ID: 426783
• Location: YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US