Capabilities
What you can test and train in Montana
Air, ground, underground, and water. One request reaches restricted airspace, FAA-coordinated corridors, ranch land, and historic mine tunnels across the state.
Air
Uncrewed and autonomous aircraft testing in restricted airspace and along FAA-coordinated corridors.
UAS and counter-UAS test & evaluation
Test and evaluation (T&E) for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (cUAS) systems. R-4601 restricted airspace authorizes UAS and kinetic use.
BVLOS and COA corridor operations
Beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight between FAA certificate of authorization (COA) endpoints. Endpoints include Townsend, Helena, and the Clancy corridor.
Autonomous systems integration
Integrate and test autonomous systems in operationally relevant terrain. Sites range from open ranch land to restricted airspace.
Range & ground
Live-fire, spectrum, and multi-domain work on open terrain at scale.
Long-range precision shooting
Long-range shooting complexes on private ranches and public lands. Access spans more than 5 million acres statewide.
ISR, EW, and SIGINT field testing
Field testing for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW), and signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems in real-world conditions.
Multi-domain operations exercises
Exercises that combine air, ground, subterranean, and maritime activity. The First Force Corridor adds a maritime option on the Missouri River and Canyon Ferry Lake.
Subterranean
Underground test and training sites in Montana's historic mining districts.
Subterranean testing
Test equipment below ground in historic mine tunnels, not just on surface ranges.
Subterranean training
Domain training in real underground networks rather than built mock-ups.
Training & exercises
Unit training, exercise design, and specialized support, delivered by an experienced cadre.
SOF and irregular warfare training
Training for special operations forces (SOF) and irregular warfare, supported by a cadre with real-world operational experience.
Curriculum and exercise design
Design of training curricula and exercises built around your objectives and the sites available.
Medical and trauma simulation
Medical and trauma simulation training as part of unit training or larger exercises.
Biocontainment and CBRN exercise support
Support for biocontainment and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) exercises.
Airspace & range assets
Where you can fly and shoot
- R-4601 restricted airspace
- Restricted airspace over the Guard’s training area near Townsend, authorized for kinetic use and UAS.
- FAA COA endpoints
- Certificate of authorization (COA) endpoints at Townsend, Helena, and the Clancy corridor.
- Helena COA
- An active COA area near the north end of Canyon Ferry Lake, about 30.5 square kilometers with a 25 km perimeter. A UAS transit corridor along Canyon Ferry Lake and the Missouri River links it to the Guard training area near Townsend.
- BVLOS transit
- Beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) transit is authorized between COA endpoints.
- Elkhorn Mountains COA
- COA coverage in the Elkhorn Mountains and Continental Divide area.
- Class G airspace on ranch parcels
- Uncontrolled Class G airspace across participating ranch parcels.
- Townsend Airport
- Broadwater County’s airport in Townsend (FAA identifier 8U8), with dedicated ramp access for test operations.
- Helena Regional Airport
- Hangar space available, with the airport serving as a logistics hub.
These assets sit across four ecosystem zones: R-4601 restricted range, First Force Corridor, Private ranches & public lands, Subterranean test & training.See the zones.
Why Montana Innovation Campus
What sets us apart
One scheduler for the state
We are the only statewide T&E scheduling coordinator in Montana. One request reaches ranges, airspace, and landowners across the state.
Restricted airspace, kinetic authorized
R-4601 restricted airspace authorizes kinetic rounds and UAS operations.
A statewide COA network
FAA-coordinated COAs at multiple Montana locations, with BVLOS transit authorized between endpoints.
Real mine tunnels
Subterranean training and testing in Montana's historic mining districts.
SOF-heritage cadre
Training cadre with real-world special operations experience.
Not tied to one installation
We are independent of any single installation or federal agency. That lets us place your event where it fits best.
Air, ground, underground, water
Multi-domain sites cover air, ground, subterranean, and a maritime corridor.
Flexible contract pathways
Other transaction authority (OTA), cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA), and contract vehicle options.
Roadmap
What we're developing
What we are building toward, at the Townsend campus and across our statewide sites. Items marked proposed are not yet built.
Guard training area operations
Restricted airspace and COA facilitation
We coordinate industry use of restricted airspace and FAA certificate of authorization (COA) areas.
Teams and product demos
Onsite environmental chamber
Test equipment under controlled conditions at the Townsend campus.
ProposedTeams and product demos
Interactive simulations and walkthroughs
Space for interactive simulations and walkthroughs with test teams and for product demonstrations.
ProposedDoW and industry collaboration
Engagement and meeting spaces
Rooms where Department of War (DoW) and industry teams can meet and work together.
ProposedModify, design, and test equipment
Maker space and advanced technology training
A shared maker space for modifying, designing, and testing equipment, with advanced technology training.
ProposedUAS, EW, and emerging technology
Access to 5 million acres of terrain
Coordinated access to more than 5 million acres of public and private land across Montana.
EW and specialized training
Advanced UAS, EW, and specialized training
Advanced uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), electronic warfare (EW), Special Forces (SF), and other specialized training.
Technology focus
Areas we're built to support
Prototyping and testing of emerging defense systems from technology readiness level (TRL) 3 through 8.
For contracting officers
Contracting & NAICS
We can work through other transaction authority (OTA) agreements, cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs), or standard contract vehicles, whichever fits the program.
| NAICS | Description |
|---|---|
| 611699 | Specialized training (primary: SOF and range) |
| 611519 | Specialized military training |
| 541715 | Defense research and development services |
| 541990 | Technical consulting |
| 237990 | Infrastructure and range construction |
| 561210 | Facilities support services |
Have a system to test?
Tell us what you need to evaluate and when. We'll match it to the right airspace, range, or terrain.