To evaluate the Navy’s ability to counter evolving current and future threats worldwide, the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, naval aviation’s warfare authority, initiated a study to evaluate the effectiveness of existing aviation training requirements and assess the need to reconfigure the Fallon Ranges.

This study, referred to as the Ninety Days to Combat Required Training Capabilities Study, identified significant gaps in aviation weapons training. At the same time, the Naval Special Warfare Command (Navy SEALs) identified similar gaps and actions needed to support ground mobility training on the Fallon Ranges. The analysis showed that the current size of the Fallon Ranges severely restricts the extent to which the Navy can use its various weapons systems to train for combat.

Current aircraft and weapons technologies require a far greater amount of training space than previous technologies required. While older aircraft flew at lower altitudes and required a smaller impact area for ordnance, modern aircraft fly at higher altitudes and approach targets from 10 to 12 miles away.

Newer-generation aircraft and weapons have outpaced the current capabilities of the Fallon Ranges. Training is hindered by inadequate land and airspace, leaving aircrews unable to train as they would fight in the real world.