They also asked for $5 billion to repair damage from the massive earthquakes last July. Now they want 50 square miles on the eastern portion of its south range.
Environmentalists aren’t happy as they say it will disturb the delicate balance of the Desert Tortoise habitat.
Navy documents describe a range of tests that could take place at the new site that could occur on the battlegrounds of the future.
In scenarios laid out in the documents, the Navy says it plans to test new weapons that at one point seemed like flourishes of imagination in science fiction novels.
For instance, the documents say the Navy could test the effectiveness of directed-energy weapons – sometimes referred to as lasers – against airplanes, manned or otherwise.
Another potential test could involve the use of electromagnetic waves to detect and counter improvised explosive devices.
Ground troop exercises are also expected to take place.
More @ Advanced weapon testing expansion moves forward at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station
