Welcome to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), a cornerstone of U.S. Army technological advancement and a pivotal location for defense innovation. Home to over 21,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel, APG has a rich history of contributing to military capabilities across a wide spectrum. From soldier protection to communication technologies, if a Soldier utilizes technology in the field, it likely has been developed, tested, and implemented by an APG organization.
Our primary mission is to deliver comprehensive testing and support services to authorized customers, encompassing both Department of Defense entities and external governmental and non-governmental organizations, both domestic and international. We offer extensive testing and training environments, both real-world and simulated, alongside expert knowledge and technical services. These services span instrumentation application, facility operations, manufacturing, fabrication, and the exploration of emerging technologies, driving the development of cutting-edge instrumentation and testing methodologies.
History of Aberdeen Proving Ground
Establishing APG: 1917-1930s
Aberdeen Proving Ground was founded in 1917 in response to the urgent need for national defense during World War I. As the United States entered the war in April 1917, the Army recognized its lack of adequate facilities for testing war munitions.
Sandy Hook Proving Ground at Fort Hancock, N.J., near New York, was deemed insufficient for expanded testing due to its proximity to populated areas. The Ordnance Department urgently needed a larger, more suitable site.
Secretary of War Newton D. Baker tasked Col. Colden L. Ruggles, commanding officer of Sandy Hook, to locate a new proving ground. Key criteria for the new site included proximity to industrial and manufacturing centers, yet remote enough from population centers to allow year-round testing without disturbing communities or posing public hazards.
Ruggles’ search led him to the Chesapeake Bay region. Initially considering Kent Island, he faced local opposition. Maj. Edward V. Stockham then suggested an area near Aberdeen on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
This area, a fertile farming region along the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River, had been charted by Captain John Smith in 1608 and was part of a land grant to Lord Baltimore in 1632. Known for tomatoes, wheat, and “shoepeg” corn, the area also boasted a significant canning and fishing industry.
Local farmers, many of whom had owned their land for generations (properties like Poverty Island, Planter’s Delight, Shandy Hall, and Swamp Quarter), were reluctant to sell.
It required an Act of Congress and two presidential proclamations to acquire the 35,000 acres of upland and 34,000 acres of swamp and tidal lands claimed by President Wilson for the U.S. government. Farmers were compensated approximately $200 per acre and assisted with relocation.
Around 3,000 people, along with thousands of livestock, were relocated. Even family graveyards were moved.
On October 20, 1917, the government formally took possession of the land and began constructing testing facilities.
Aberdeen Proving Ground was designated for proof-testing artillery, ammunition, mortars, air defense guns, and railway artillery. Its mission expanded to include an Ordnance training school and small arms development testing.
On January 2, 1918, Edward V. Stockham fired the first gun at APG amidst a snowstorm, marking the commencement of ammunition acceptance testing.
The workload rapidly increased, leading to a reorganization on March 28, 1918, into four departments: Proof, Service, Administration, and Military. However, World War I ended shortly after, on November 11, 1918.
Building 310, the administration building, was conceived in fall 1917 as APG’s central administrative hub. Its classical revival south wing symbolized APG’s importance. Serving as post headquarters from 1918 to 1995, Bldg. 310 witnessed APG’s evolution into a major Army research and development center.
APG’s peacetime mission shifted to munitions research and development, focusing on powders, projectiles, bombs, and ballistics.
Post-war construction was limited to essential testing facilities. In 1923, two significant projects were completed: a new hospital (Bldg. 45) and an airfield with a hangar and aviation squadron quarters.
The airfield supported the creation of bombing tables, enhancing aerial bombing accuracy. Phillips Army Air Field was named in honor of 1st Lt. Wendell K. Phillips, killed in an aircraft accident at Aberdeen. The original airfield is now part of the industrial area.
New Beginnings: 1930s-1950s
The 1930s brought diversification to APG, partly due to President Roosevelt’s $2 million allocation in 1933 for barracks, roads, and test facilities.
These activities amplified APG’s significance to the Army.
The Ordnance Museum, initiated post-World War I with artifacts from France, grew as a vital source of technical Ordnance intelligence.
The Ordnance Specialist School for enlisted personnel moved from Raritan Arsenal, N.J., in 1931.
In 1935, a Research Division was established, leading to the Ballistic Research Laboratory (BRL), housed in Bldg. 328 (completed in 1941), for ballistics and fire control research.
By 1941, increased testing needs prompted the acquisition of 7,000 acres in 1942, extending APG towards Aberdeen, and 1,800 acres with Spesutie Island in 1945.
Wartime personnel peaked at 27,185 military and 5,479 civilians as research, development, training, and facilities expanded.
BRL’s work gained national prominence. Automotive, armor, and antiaircraft gun testing expanded.
A larger airfield was built, retaining the Phillips name, for larger bomb-testing aircraft.
The Ordnance Museum contributed to the war effort by donating 85% of its holdings to scrap drives, using the remainder for technical intelligence.
APG’s wartime contributions included ENIAC (the first digital computer), the Bazooka (first man-portable antitank weapon), and Statistical Quality Control applications. The large-scale integration of women into non-traditional roles was a significant sociological shift.
After World War II, APG returned to research and development, but the Korean War in 1950 reignited wartime activities.
Materiel testing and facility construction resumed. The Ordnance Replacement Training Center reactivated in 1950, leading to the Ordnance Training Command at Aberdeen in 1950, overseeing all Ordnance troop unit training, including the Ordnance School and the Replacement Training Center.
The 1950s and early 1960s saw technological advancements in weapons research at APG, especially at BRL, which integrated electronic computers, space study, and satellite tracking.
Climatic testing expanded to Yuma, Ariz., and Fort Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, termed “safari” tests.
The Human Engineering Laboratory was established in 1952, reflecting the growing importance of science and technology in weapon development.
Reorganization: 1960s-1970s
In 1962, the Army centralized testing assets into the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (TECOM) at APG.
TECOM managed 10 test installations across the U.S., from the east coast to Yuma, Ariz., and from Alaska to Panama.
The late 1960s saw the development of the Decision Information Distribution System (DIDS) by the Office of Civil Defense, designed to deliver public warnings during nuclear attacks. DIDS reflected Cold War nuclear deterrence strategies and civil defense approaches.
The Vietnam War era brought renewed growth and new directions to APG.
The Ordnance Officer Candidate School (OCS) was reactivated, and the Land Warfare Laboratory’s contributions increased.
BRL, Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity, and Human Engineering Laboratory made significant developmental and scientific contributions during the 1960s and 1970s.
The Ordnance Center and School conducted three-shift training operations during peak conflict periods.
On July 1, 1971, Edgewood Arsenal, the Army’s chemical center, merged with APG. While mission functions remained separate, base operations were consolidated, with APG becoming the common identifier.
APG Transition: 1980s-1990s
In 1985, the TECOM Commanding General also became APG Commander.
The Aberdeen Proving Ground Support Activity (now U.S. Army Garrison Aberdeen Proving Ground) was established to manage base operations, headed by the garrison commander. The Combat Systems Test Activity (CSTA), formerly Materiel Test Directorate (MTD), now Aberdeen Test Center, was also created. The Army’s chemical demilitarization program began at APG in 1986.
Increased environmental awareness followed the 1988-1989 trial of CRDEC employees for environmental law violations. Millions are now invested annually in environmental cleanup and preservation at APG.
By the late 1980s, APG employed over 14,000 military and civilian personnel, becoming Harford County’s largest employer.
The end of the Cold War and the 1990s brought significant changes. APG participated in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, testing and fielding equipment and training Soldiers for the Persian Gulf War.
Changes continued throughout the 1990s.
In 1992, LABCOM became Army Research Laboratory (ARL), headquartered in Adelphi, Md. BRL became Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, and HEL became the Human Research and Engineering Directorate.
In 1994, chemical agent and munitions storage transferred to CBDCOM, a new commissary was completed, the 389th Army Band was assigned to APG, and the Officer’s Club became Top of the Bay.
CTSA became Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) in 1995, and post headquarters moved to Bldg. 305.
In 1997, ARL’s Rodman Building was completed, and the Army Aberdeen Acquisition Center (AAC) was formed.
In 1998, AAC was renamed Army Materiel Command Acquisition Center (AMCAC).
The U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM) gained operational control of the garrison, APG, and the 389th Army Band in 1999.
BRAC: 2000s
The new millennium brought further changes, including AMCAC renaming to Robert Morris Acquisition Center (RMAC) in 2000.
Following 9/11, APG North mobilized for the Global War on Terrorism. Testing vehicles against improvised explosive devices became crucial.
The Installation Management Agency (IMA) was established in 2002, under which the garrison fell, eventually becoming the Installation Management Command (IMCOM).
In 2004, the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) was created, including ARL, AMSAA, ECBC, and RMAC.
The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission led to significant changes, with APG gaining and losing tenants.
Fort Monmouth, N.J., closure led to the consolidation of C4ISR organizations at APG North, resulting in new research facilities operational by 2010.
Other organizations moving to APG included ATEC, Non-Medical Chemical and Biological Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Army Research Institute, and U.S. Army Research Laboratory Vehicle Technology Directorate.
While gaining 8,500 positions under BRAC, APG lost long-time organizations like the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School and the Army Environmental Command.
The Ordnance Center and School began moving to Fort Lee, Va., in 2010, along with the Ordnance Museum. RDECOM took over the Ordnance School headquarters, and the Army Environmental Command relocated to Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
In 2011, the 143rd Ordnance Battalion was discontinued, BRAC completion ceremonies were held, Building 310’s rear was removed, and the new ATEC headquarters was completed.
All BRAC 2005 changes concluded in September 2011.
Bayside Village housing complex was completed in 2012 to accommodate the growing number of families at APG.
The Way Ahead: 2012 – Present
APG’s missions have consistently adapted to evolving warfare technologies. APG has been instrumental in military technology advancements through major conflicts from World Wars to the Persian Gulf War.
The 1971 merger with Edgewood Arsenal created the most diversified military installation in the nation. Today, APG hosts an expanding list of major commands.
Aberdeen Proving Ground is recognized globally as a premier research and development, testing, and evaluation facility for military weapons and equipment, supporting top military and civilian scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrators.
APG is the Defense Department’s Center for Excellence for land combat systems, vehicles, Soldier systems, and chemical and biological defense.
Through BRAC 2005 and programs like Enhanced Use Lease, APG continues to evolve into a highly technical RDTE installation.
State-of-the-art test and support facilities enable instrumented weapon firing ranges, tank and vehicle testing courses, and extensive laboratory investigations. New combat materials undergo rigorous field and laboratory testing.
Team APG continues to advance tomorrow’s weapon technologies for today’s military needs.
From initial concepts through research, development, and proofing, APG’s mission encompasses all Army materials, ensuring the best equipment and support for U.S. Warfighters, a mission unchanged since 1917 despite numerous reorganizations.
Population at Aberdeen Proving Ground
- Military Personnel: 1,032
- Family Members: 1,381
- Civilian Employees: 19,518
- Contractors: 3,231
- Military Retirees & Family: 16,000+
(Source: worldpopulationreview.com, U.S. Census Bureau)
Harford County Population: 264,244
Aberdeen City Population: 2,682
Over 19,500 civilians and 1,000 military personnel work at APG, along with nearly 3,000 contractors. APG supports 1,148 military families on post and 155 off post, and over 16,000 military retirees and their families.
Location of Aberdeen Proving Ground
Aberdeen’s strategic location on the I-95 corridor has fostered rapid growth, attracting business and tourism. Located in southern Harford County, Aberdeen balances technological advancement with small-town charm. The synergy between high-tech entities like Battelle and APG and family-oriented communities creates a unique energy, evident in neighborhoods, educational facilities like the HEAT Center, and leisure activities including Cal Ripken Stadium. Aberdeen offers a low cost of living and is strategically positioned between New York and Washington, D.C., on I-95 and U.S. Route 40.
Aberdeen provides a high quality of life with amenities and scenic landscapes near the Chesapeake Bay, family-friendly communities, and various leisure options. Excellent schools, entertainment, sports facilities, 140 miles of shoreline, 6,600 acres of state parks, and proximity to major cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., enhance its appeal. The base operator can be reached at 410-278-5201.
Directions to Aberdeen Proving Ground
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the closest airport to Aberdeen Proving Ground. Other nearby airports include Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Maryland is served by airlines including American, Continental, Delta, Jet Blue, Northwest, Southwest, United, and US Airways. Visit the BWI website for more information.
Directions from BWI Airport:
| Directions | Distance |
|---|---|
| Take I-95 West | 1.0 mile |
| Take the MD-295/Baltimore Washington Parkway north exit, exit # 2A towards I-695/Baltimore | 0.7 miles |
| Merge onto MD-295 north | 3.0 miles |
| Take the I-895/Harbor Tunnel Thruway exit | 0.2 miles |
| Merge onto Harbor Tunnel Thruway | 10.2 miles |
| Harbor Tunnel Thruway becomes I-95 north (Portions toll) | 23.5 miles |
| Take MD-543 exit, exit #80, to Riverside/Churchville-Keep right | 1.2 miles |
| Merge onto MD-543 S | 1.2 miles |
| Turn right onto MD-40 to the main gate of Aberdeen Proving Ground | 3.0 miles |
| Take MD-715 to the Visitor’s Center at the main gate of Aberdeen Proving Ground |
Traveling North: Take Aberdeen Interchange (85), turn right onto State Route 22 East (Aberdeen Thruway) to the Aberdeen Proving Ground (Harford RD.) Military Police Gate (approx. 3 miles).
This gate closes at 8 p.m. For after-hours access, from Route 22, take the US Route 40 west ramp, merge onto US Route 40 west, and take Exit 715 to the Aberdeen Proving Ground Military Police Gate.
Transportation Options:
Taxi: Taxis are available but can be expensive (BWI to APG: $69-$85). Rental cars are also costly.
Train (MARC Train): MARC Train operates Monday-Friday, serving Washington Union Station, BWI Rail Station, Aberdeen, and Perryville (Penn Line). Check schedules for holidays and weather-related service changes at 866-743-3682/410-539-5000.
Commercial Bus (MTA Local Bus): MTA operates nearly 50 Local Bus lines in Central Maryland, connecting with Light Rail, Metro Subway, and MARC Train. Pay exact fare upon boarding. For routes and schedules, call 410-539-5000 or 1-866-RIDE-MTA (743-3682). The MTA bus terminal is at 120 S. Weber Street (410-539-5000).
Rail Services:
- Amtrak (regional and express service)
- MARC Train (Commuter Rail)
- Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Commuter Rail)
Bus Services:
- Harford County Transit
- Cecil County Transit
- Maryland Transit Administration
- Delaware Transit Corporation
- Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
EZ Pass Services: E-Z Pass On-the-Go offers a convenient way to obtain an E-Z Pass account. Visit DriveEzMD.com.
Installation Gate Access
Aberdeen Proving Ground is a ‘closed’ post requiring proper identification for entry. 100% vehicle checks are conducted. Visitors without vehicle or military ID will be denied access. First-time visitors should go to the Visitors Control Center at the 715 Gate (Route 40 entrance). Military ID or sponsorship, a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance are required for sign-in.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no on-post transportation.
Taxi Services:
- Victory Cab: 410-272-0880
- ABC Taxi: 410-272-0272
- Yellow Cab: 443-456-3683
Contact Information
- Automated Information: 410-278-5201
- Public Affairs Office (PAO): 410-278-4415
- CECOM PAO: 443-861-6719
- Military In-processing: 410-306-2304
This guide provides essential information for first-time visitors to Aberdeen Proving Ground, ensuring a smooth and informative experience.
