Yuma Proving Ground hosts technical tests and exercises

YUMA — Yuma Proving Ground is one of the largest military installations in the country.

Located in southern Arizona, the base is known for hosting military exercises and testing equipment for the Department of Defense.

One of the devices currently being tested is the Guidance Precision Kit, or GPK.

GPK turns old cannonballs into smart weapons.

“So if you think about it, we make sure that the product that goes into the hands of the service people does what it says it does,” said Colonel Ben McFall, YPG base commander.

Although the technology has been around for a decade, crews are still testing equipment to ensure quality. They are also looking for ways to improve it.

Engineers told ABC15 that a normal shell would land somewhere within four football fields around the target.

However, by using GPK, troops can reduce the impact area to half the end zone.

Precision-guided artillery has been used in the U.S. military’s war on terror. It was also part of a package the White House sent to Ukraine to help them fight Russia.

McFall said the technology the YPG is testing could end up saving someone’s life.

“Future generations will never know who I am and who the people who work here are, but they will go home for the work we do today,” he said.



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