Rustburg Facility Earns Superior Security Rating, Reinforcing Superior Navy Test Capabilities

Element U.S. Space & Defense is proud to announce that its Rustburg, Virginia facility has received a Superior rating during a Security Review on May 14, 2025 performed by a trusted government partner. This achievement places the facility in an elite group, as less than 1% of facilities earn a Superior rating. The facility’s perfect score is a testament to Element U.S. Space & Defense’s proactive security measures, rigorous compliance, and unwavering commitment to national security.

"This recognition reflects Element U.S. Space & Defense’s dedication to the National Industrial Security Program. We are committed to maintaining the highest security standards, ensuring the integrity of our operations and the trust of our partners." said Anna Miller-Aughenbaugh, Element U.S. Space & Defense’s Director of Security & Compliance.
The security review evaluates security programs across four critical categories: NISPOM Effectiveness, Management Support, Security Awareness, and Security Community. Achieving a Superior rating demonstrates exceptional adherence to security protocols and trusted government partners Gold Standard Criteria. This dedication to security is foundational to the advanced capabilities Element U.S. Space & Defense provides at the Rustburg site.

A Hub of Specialized Defense Expertise

‍The Element U.S. Space & Defense Rustburg laboratory is not just secure; it is a center of excellence for mission-critical testing and engineering. It is one of the few commercial sites in the United States offering global solutions capabilities for all Navy equipment qualification testing. This unique position allows the company to provide turnkey Navy qualification solutions, encompassing everything from pre-shock test analysis and comprehensive design and fabrication of equipment foundations, to test instrumentation, data analysis, and report generation.

The Rustburg team possesses deep expertise in guiding partners through stringent Navy shipboard MIL-Standard requirements, including MIL-DTL-901E heavyweight and lightweight shock testing and MIL-STD-167 vibration testing. The facility’s robust infrastructure is designed for these demanding tasks, featuring:

1. A 36-acre site with a 5-acre quarry, serviced by a 450-ton hydraulic crane, allowing for unparalleled barge testing capabilities.
2. Heavyweight test platforms, including Floating Shock Platforms (FSPs), Extended Floating Shock Platform (EFSP), and Paddle Wheel Vehicle Testing (PWVT) 
3. The Deck Simulating Shock Machine (DSSM), a land-based, cost-effective alternative for heavyweight testing of Class II equipment, which was instrumental in designing and qualifying for the Navy.
4. Advanced instrumentation capabilities, recording up to 100 channels of data to monitor shock response with precision.
5. Comprehensive temperature and humidity testing to ensure equipment reliability in harsh operational environments.
6. Support for the research, development, and testing of Underwater Unmanned Vehicles (UUV). 
7. MIL-STD-810 Submersion and Drip Testing
8. MIL-STD-1399 Inclination (Pitch and Roll) Testing 

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As a Naval Sea Systems Command Shock Certified facility operating since 1985, our engineers leverage extensive ship-design credentials and years of experience in dynamic structural analysis. This multifaceted engineering expertise ensures that Element U.S. Space & Defense is ready to manage the toughest environmental and dynamic test requirements, reducing risks and accelerating mission outcomes for our military partners.

The Superior security rating achieved by our Rustburg laboratory underscores Element U.S. Space & Defense’s holistic approach: providing cutting-edge technological capabilities within an environment of uncompromising security. We are dedicated to advancing U.S. security through technology that’s built to perform and engineered to matter.

Explore our work and see how Element U.S. Space & Defense continues to support mission-critical initiatives.