Monmoth Message

May 24, 1985

From 1985 Issue of The Monmouth Message

This article was given to INFOAGE by Mr. & Mrs. Meyer whose back windows overlook the 'turntable'. They often saw interesting tanks and vehicles turning on the table. It is still intact today. Some people thought it was a missile silo.

This tower was removed in 1997. It was visable from
Belmar Bl. We were told the upper room had a copper
interior and copper exterior. Until it was properly
grounded it acted as a very large capacitor...a shocking
experience on a wet morning....ZAP!

Monmouth Message VOL 38 No. 21 Published in the interest of the Fort Monmouth community May 24, 1985

Huge 'turntable' designed here for research

What might be described as a scientific merry-go-round is under construction in the Evans Area in Wall Township.

Radar scientists at the Combat Surveillance and Target Acquisition Laboratories (CSTAL) Army Electronics Research and Development Command (ERADCOM) have designed a special 30-foot diameter steel turntable capable of supporting and rotating up to 60 tons of equipment at a very, very slow speed.

The "turntable," as it is officially called, must be level to one-eighth inch in the horizontal plane and must be capable of turning at speeds less than one revolution per hour, which is equivalent to the minute hand of a clock. The angular position of any equipment placed on the turn table for testing can be calculated to less than one degree.

In order to achieve this degree of accuracy required for scientific radar experiments, the Army contracted with MACTON Corp., Danbury, Conn., to install the turntable. This specialized company has designed and installed rotating restaurants, exhibits and stages all over the world.

The test facility, which has been under construction since mid-1984, will cost approximately $500,000 and will be ready for operation this summer.

The concrete work is now complete, including a 100-square foot underground equipment room which will house the 10 horsepower drive motor, drive wheels and equipment. The L&H Construction Co., Eatontown, is the prime contractor and is providing all the site work, grading, drainage, concrete and electrical installation.

This radar "test bed," an Army name for an experimental facility, will be used to perform research on identification. of ground targets by radar. Radar is extremely important on the battlefield since it can see through obscurants such as smoke, dust and fog.

A spokesman at CSTAL said scientists plan to use high technology target location radars and complex computer programs to analyze radar signals bounced off the equipment that is moving slowly on the turntable. The advanced Army -radars selected for the test program will operate at less than half the power of conventional police radar units and will be located in a tower 1000 feet from the turntable to stimulate actual Army field operations.

Scientists at CSTAL said they are excited at the thought of the scientific challenges the revolutionary new program will offer. A spokesman said they feel certain that the technology developed by this program will have far reaching effects not only on the improved fighting capability of United States armed forces, but in the advancement of scientific knowledge for communication, public safety and medicine.

This huge investment of resources by Fort Monmouth continues to benefit the business community and the job pool in the region, the spokesman said.

Prepared by the staff of the ERADCOM Public Affairs Office

Page updated January 4, 2004 page created August 24, 1998

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