Naval EMI & High-Power Test Capabilities

In-house electromagnetic interference testing and qualification, purpose-built for the U.S. Navy's most demanding electromagnetic environments.

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Overview

A new semi-anechoic EMI chamber brings high-power, medium-voltage test and qualification capability in-house.

Leonardo DRS’ Naval Power Systems facility in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is home to one of the most advanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing facilities of its kind in the United States. Developed in partnership with Element U.S. Space & Defense, the new semi-anechoic chamber works alongside our existing high-power, medium-voltage test lab to validate system-level performance of naval electronic equipment under real-world electromagnetic conditions.

As the U.S. Navy accelerates submarine and shipbuilding programs, in-house EMI compliance testing shortens qualification cycles and speeds delivery of mission-critical power systems — from the earliest stages of design through final acceptance.

Inside the Chamber

A purpose-built semi-anechoic environment for high-power naval equipment.

Pyramidal RF absorber material lines the chamber to eliminate reflected signals during test.

The semi-anechoic chamber floor, sized to accommodate large, high-power naval equipment under test.

Capability Highlights

In-house EMI compliance testing for high-power, medium-voltage naval equipment
Validated system-level performance under real-world electromagnetic conditions
Faster qualification cycles and shorter delivery timelines
Dedicated capacity to support U.S. Navy submarine and shipbuilding power demands

Facility Specifications

Semi-anechoic EMI chamber, developed with Element U.S. Space & Defense
Co-located high-power, medium-voltage test lab
50,000 sq. ft. of dedicated test space, incl. environmental chambers & shock machine
376,000 sq. ft. Menomonee Falls, WI facility — 650+ engineers & specialists
Chamber external dimensions: 36′W x 72′D x 16′H
Chamber internal dimensions (anechoic-lined): 32′W x 68′D x 14′H
Largest working volume per MIL-STD-461 RE/RS setup (EUT centered): 18′W x 54′D x 13′H
Chamber access door: 12’W x 12’H

AC & DC Power Configurations

4,160 VAC / 400 A, 3-phase
1,000 VDC / 2,000 A
480 VAC / 200 A, 3-phase — filtered
480 VAC / 30 A, 3-phase
450 VAC / 240 A, 3-phase
208 VAC, 240 VAC^**, 120 VAC / 30 A
120 VAC / 500 A, single-phase
120 VAC / 20 A, single-phase

Test Standards Supported

MIL-STD-461 (Revisions E–H, all test methods) — tri-service EMI qualification for Army, Navy, and Air Force platforms (land, sea, space, and air)
MIL-STD-461/462 (Revisions A–D, all test methods) — Measurement of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics
DoD-STD-1399, Section 70 & MIL-STD-1399-407 — DC magnetic field environment testing for ships and submarines
MIL-STD-1399, Section 300 — Interface requirements & design constraints for shipboard AC low-voltage electric power
MIL-STD-1275 — 28 VDC electric systems in military vehicles
MIL-STD-704 — Aircraft electric power characteristics
MIL-STD-740-1 & -2 — Airborne and structure-borne acoustic noise

Infrastructure

Thermal Management Infrastructure

Controllable 5–50°C
Up to 350 GPM per loop
Freshwater cooling
Deionized (DI) water cooling

Load Infrastructure (External 2,800 sqm Load Yard)

21 MW AC resistive and inductive load banks
17 MW DC load bank
5 MW DC load bank @ 1,000 VDC

MIL-STD-464D — Electromagnetic Environmental Effects

RADHAZ assessments (HERO / HERP / HERF)
Intrasystem EMC
External RF EME
Electromagnetic pulse
DC magnetic field
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Indirect lightning (internal & external environments)
Shielding effectiveness
Inert ordnance HERO assessments

Facility

Backed by a full-spectrum test infrastructure.

The EMI chamber is one part of a broader test infrastructure at Menomonee Falls supporting the design, qualification, and delivery of naval power distribution, power conversion, motor control, energy storage systems, and automation systems — installed on every U.S. Navy combatant delivered since 1945.