National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC)

JT4 works shoulder-to-shoulder with Space Delta 11 to operate the most realistic, unique, safe, secure and relevant space environment for Guardians and Joint Warfighters to meet test and training objectives. The National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) includes a series of space and ground-based capabilities that, when combined, create demanding range environments to increase warfighter readiness to fight and win. The live portion of the range is managed by Space Delta 11 under the authority of Headquarters Space Training and Readiness Command.

The JT4 “Space Range” Team supporting the NSTTC is responsible for planning, scheduling, integrating, operating, maintaining and sustaining the range safely and securely. Space Range operations require the development of representative target and threat models and simulations, which, when coupled with live range events, enable the NSTTC to provide the warfighter with an arena to exercise operational systems and develop tactics, techniques and procedures for new and improved technologies.

The U.S. Space Force

The NSTTC is JT4’s only operation that exclusively supports the United States Space Force (USSF). The USSF was established on December 20^th, 2019, creating the first new branch of the armed services since 1947, based on the widespread recognition that space is a natural security imperative. Space Force warriors are called Guardians, and they are entrusted to protect and defend American interests in space to ensure our forces, allies and people have the ability to harness space whenever and wherever they need it.

Since its inception, the advancement of space capabilities has increased the effectiveness of operations in every other domain, allowing our joint forces to shoot, move, and communicate better, faster and more precisely than ever. JT4 is a critical part in creating a range that challenges warfighters to sweat in peace, so that they are prepared to fight and win in war.

Space range explained

The JT4 team supports the Delta 11 mission by providing a dynamic and tailorable space warfare range to develop lethal, adaptable and resilient warfighters. Breaking this down into range components, JT4 supports the Space Range obligation to range users through the following environments and capabilities.

An Open-Air Range – 24/7 available, leased commercial satellite bandwidth hosting live signal environments created by the Space Range Operations Center (SROC) and Range Target Capabilities monitored during operations by SROC, Transportable Range Operations Centers (TROCs), or Deployable Signal Monitoring Unit in the United States or abroad.
A Closed Loop Range – Configurable, flexible and expandable closed satellite and signal environment created within a mobile platform with configurable instrumentation that provides feedback on the effectiveness of customer proficiencies, systems performance and procedures. The environment can be further enhanced by the inclusion of Range Target Capabilities.
The Space Range Operations Center (SROC) – Operations center capable of generating a complex signal environment, remotely commanding and controlling signal generation and instrumentation, while simultaneously range controlling in open air and closed loop testing and training events.
Transportable Range Operations Centers (TROCs) – Globally forward-deployed technology to conduct remote range control, signal generation in open air and closed loop environments around the world.
Range Closed Loop Environment (RCLE) – Mobile RF capability that replicates several satellites and transponders in multiple bands at once, creating interactive, dynamic, and challenging closed loop signal environments for test and training events.
Mission Support Trailer (MiST) – Specialized, shielded, mobile facility capable of providing full, low-risk closed loop test and training with common, adaptable, scalable and reliable systems to quantitatively test, train and measure the performance of weapon systems for Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations under contested conditions.
High Performance Telescope Suites – Highly autonomous Integrated Electro-optical systems to allow broad awareness of portions of the geo-synchronous orbit (GEO) to monitor real-world systems and systems under test to facilitate orbital range control operations.
Deployable Range Suites – Other technologies brought to range user locations to meet training and test objectives.

Joint Space Range Support

As an integral part of the USSF, the NSTTC provides support to the Air Force, Space Force, Army, Navy and Marines. The range works closely with these customers to understand mission needs and ensure that it provides target sets that meet requirements. This support could span pre-deployment preparation, large-force exercises, testing and training. Our customer base continues to expand to include coalition partners, academia and industry.

Great missions demand exceptional people, and at JT4, we create mission-focused and goal-oriented teams. At the National Space Test and Training Complex, JT4 Operations and Maintenance team partners with the United States Space Force to deliver superior service to joint and multinational warfighters and capability developers across the globe. Our team members are hands on experts in the fields of Satellite Communications and Electronic Warfare allowing innovation, learning, and the creation of challenging environments for range users that better prepare them to fight and create windows of superiority in Space, enabling our forces to shoot, move and communicate unimpeded to close with and defeat our adversaries on the ground, sea, and air. Our commitment to the mission is reflected in our 100% mission success rate and knowing our efforts enable the achievement of all training, testing, and learning objectives of the range users.

- Scott M., Operations and Maintenance Department Manager (CO)

Events and exercises supported

In just the past year, JT4 doubled its annual operational tempo, supporting more than 50 live-fire and closed-loop events annually from both Colorado Springs and various locations across the globe. JT4 also supports exercises, test and evaluation activities, and unit training events that prepare space operators for worldwide deployment.

Austere Challenge

Austere Challenge is part of an ongoing exercise series that has taken place since the 1990s and focuses on training combatant command coordination, command and control and the integration of capabilities and functions across the U.S. European Command’s (USEUCOM) headquarters, its component commands and U.S. interagency and NATO. The exercise is linked globally to other U.S. combatant command exercises, specifically, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and U.S. Space Command’s Global Lightning and U.S. Transportation Command’s Turbo Challenge.

Global Lightning

Global Lightning is an annual DoD exercise which impacts all USSTRATCOM mission areas to enhance readiness and creates the conditions for effective strategic deterrence against a variety of threats. This exercise provides training opportunities for USSTRATCOM headquarter’s staff and its components to integrate and synchronize efforts with USEUCOM headquarters and its component commands, as well as the USSF.

Global Thunder

Global Thunder is an annual, USSTRATCOM-sponsored command-level, command post field training exercise designed to train units in USSTRATCOM mission areas such as the Joint Functional Component Command (JFCC). The exercise has a specific focus on nuclear readiness. It employs global operations in coordination with other combatant commands, services, appropriate U.S. government agencies and allies to deter, detect and, if necessary, defeat strategic attacks against the United States and its allies.

Valiant Shield

Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.

Talisman Sabre

Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral combined training activity between the Australian Defence Force and United States military. It is designed to test our respective forces in planning and conducting Combined and Joint Task Force operations and improve the combat readiness and interoperability between Australian and U.S. forces. The exercise focuses on crisis-action planning and contingency response, enhancing both nations’ military capabilities to deal with regional contingencies and the War on Terrorism. This Field Training Exercise incorporates force preparation (logistic) activities, amphibious landings, ground force maneuver, urban operations, air combat and maritime operations.

A message from the range manager

The NSTTC is the only range of its kind providing environments that replicate space-based capabilities. Our team plans, develops, integrates and executes electromagnetic and orbital range operations with all military services to enhance readiness. As a member of the USSF, we ensure that space forces are prepared to deter adversaries, defend against threats and dominate in the space domain, today and in the future.

– Ralph Decker, Vice President, Range Manager

Where we work

The NSTTC is the physical manifestation of STARCOM’s mission to prepare Guardians, develop capabilities and deliver warfighting solutions needed to prevail in competition and conflict across the space domain. Unique to the other JTECH II Ranges, where JT4 has a physical footprint, the NSTTC’s range volume is established throughout the earth’s orbit and associated ground stations worldwide, providing a safe, interconnected, scalable, and distributed space environment critical for Guardians and mission partners to train against realistic threats to develop and validate space systems, and sharpen joint-minded space warfighter readiness. While other ranges host users at their facilities, JT4 regularly brings the range to the customer, traveling to locations in the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), European Command (EUCOM), Central Command (CENTCOM) and Northern Command (NORTHCOM) to deploy satellite communications equipment around the world. When not globetrotting, NSTTC employees work out of Schriever AFB, CO, or the Mission Support Facility (MSF) and newly enhanced Vapor Trail Facility (VTF) in Colorado Springs.

Where we live

JT4 employees supporting the NSTTC live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, surrounded by stunning scenic beauty. Our nation’s most famous poem and song, “America the Beautiful,” was inspired by the view from Pikes Peak, just west of Colorado Springs.

Outdoor activities in Colorado Springs abound with natural beauty and history. From the rock formations at the Garden of the Gods Park to the majestic waterfalls at the Broadmoor to the rich heritage of the historic Glen Eyrie Castle, there are endless opportunities to make beautiful, lasting memories.

The golf courses in Colorado Springs offer some of the most beautiful layouts in the country. Play 18 holes on immaculate greens in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains.

Aviation enthusiasts will find several destinations of interest in Colorado Springs including the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of WWII Aviation and the United States Air Force Academy, which also offers over 23 miles of paved and unpaved trails available to cadets and visitors alike.

Contact Us

Location:
4228 Arcata Way
North Las Vegas, NV
89030

Mailing Address:
4228 Arcata Way
North Las Vegas, NV
89030

Phone: 702.399.9966
Fax: 702.399.9970