Naval Proving Grounds

a region of the sea set apart for testing ships, various types of weapons, and combat equipment and for conducting ship combat training.

Proving grounds may include scientific research grounds, testing grounds, and training grounds classified according to purpose and according to equipment being tested as missile, artillery, torpedo, mine, and deviation grounds; they also include grounds for testing submarines, surface vessels, and aircraft. Proving grounds are equipped, depending on their particular designations, with monitoring and measuring instruments, observation points (ship, aircraft, or shore), means of communication, and appropriate targets. Ship traffic in the naval proving grounds zone may be permanently or temporarily prohibited (in which case navigators are warned). When firing and weapons testing is under way, special forces (ships, airplanes, and helicopters) are usually detached to guard the naval proving grounds.