Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground is a leading testing facility for the automotive and defence sectors. The high-security site offers 670 acres of specialist facilities including comprehensive asphalt and off-road tracks, a climatic chamber and EMC test facilities. The site is ideal for military vehicle test and development activity, and lends itself to other activities including secure vehicle storage and driver training.
The ex-World War II airfield and US air force base is currently the largest privately owned vehicle test track facility in the UK, centrally located and close to the M1/M6 motorways in Leicestershire. The company prides itself on its responsiveness and flexibility towards providing customer solutions.
As an operational airfield, the site also offers the opportunity for clients to fly into the site or even have vehicles delivered by air. Both aircraft and helicopters can be accommodated.
Test tracks for military vehicles
Bruntingthorpe has a number of test track facilities, making it an ideal location for vehicle trials. At the heart of the 670 acre site is an impressive 6.5km circuit, including a 60m wide, 3.2km long straight – one of the longest in the country – which offers many flexible testing options. This is supplemented by a variety of other track facilities including demanding off-road facilities, turning circles and a variety of skid and sprint aprons. The latest track facility to be constructed offers durability testing for large platforms and construction vehicles.
Typical applications include braking system development, vehicle handling, suspension development, lane-change maneouvres, vehicle shake down, customer acceptance tests, engine mapping, on-vehicle system development, mobility trials, driver training and durability assessments.
Off-road vehicle testing facilities
Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground has two off-road facilities for small to medium platforms. One facility includes a cross country track and represents a very flexible circuit with many routes of different complexities. Features include hills, a water trough, swamps and adverse cambers and are ideal for applications including suspension system development, anti-stall tests, vehicle handling and water ingress assessment as well as driver training.
The second facility is located in a segregated 11 acre part of the site. Features include a 2 acre open trials area suitable for digging and general maneouvres, a sand road, a stone moving area, high lift facilities and large vehicle workshops.
Electrical engineering and EMC testing
Electrical engineering and EMC test and development activity can be accommodated via our on-site partner company, Cre8 Associates. Capabilities include specialist electrical installations, EMC filter design and manufacture, antenna and RF communications fit, electrical harness design and ECM system evaluation.
Facilities include an EMC test laboratory (6.3m x 3.5m x 3m) and an open area test site.
Climatic chamber for vehicle testing
There is a large climatic chamber capable of accommodating vehicles up to approx 40t. This is capable of temperatures ranging from ambient to 80°C.
Driver training service
Bruntingthorpe offers a comprehensive driver training service that covers many different types of driver training requirements. Bespoke training courses are also available. There is a fleet of different vehicles available to support the training programmes allowing exposure to various types of vehicles including skid control cars and a tanker with out-riggers.
UAV testing
As a large operational airfield the site is perfect for UAV testing.
Night-vision equipment evaluation
The site is set in rural location with very little light pollution. With a 3.2km field of view on a secure site, the facilities are excellent for night-vision equipment evaluation.
Secure vehicle storage
There are 100 acres of secure allocated vehicle storage, capable of accommodating over 20,000 vehicles. The fully managed, computer controlled compound is backed up with one of the most modern vehicle refurbishment centers in the UK.