The Defense Threat Reduction Agency continues to strengthen its critical testing infrastructure with the addition of a new concrete batch plant at White Sands Missile Range. This facility represents a significant investment in our ability to support advanced research and development testing operations. By producing high-quality concrete on-site, DTRA can efficiently construct the specialized structures, targets, and testing platforms essential for conducting rigorous explosive effects research and threat reduction experiments. The batch plant exemplifies our commitment to maintaining cutting-edge facilities that enable our scientists and engineers to develop effective countermeasures against weapons of mass destruction and emerging threats.
 
Originally published by WSMR Public Affairs Office August 22, 2025
https://www.army.mil/article/288036/wsmr_test_center_commander_attends_dtra_batch_plant_ceremony
 
 

WSMR Test Center Commander attends DTRA Batch Plant Ceremony

By Scott Stearns, WSMR Public Affairs Office

Col. Matthew Johnson, White Sands Missile Range Test Center (WSTC) Commander, attended the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new Batch Plant on Aug. 19, 2025, in support of an installation partner.

Located next to the Large-Scale Test Bed on the northern part of the White Sands Missile Range, the Batch Plant provides construction support to full-scale test articles to include concrete structures in remote and isolated locations. This will allow for the testing of weapons affects against relevant threat representative targets to support the needs of the warfighter.

This Batch Plant replaces a decades old facility and will double concrete production while being more environmentally efficient, with upgrades that allow it to meet all New Mexico Environmental Division and Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards. This facility will reduce reliance on external resources, shorten cycle times, mitigate risks to quality mix designs and lower costs.

This facility demonstrates the joint capabilities of White Sands Missile Range. "This batch plant is a great addition to WSMR,” said Johnson, “it provides a capability not only to joint partners but also to our tenant organizations. It is another example of how WSMR is America's Range."

Also attending the ceremony was Col. Donyeill Mozer, WSMR Garrison Commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Diaz, Garrison Command Sergeant Major, and Sgt. Maj. Stephen Sloane, WSTC Sergeant Major. The ceremony concluded with a tour of the Batch Plant.

Defense Threat Reduction Agency provides cross-cutting solutions to enable the Department of Defense, the United States Government, and international partners to deter strategic attack against the United States and its allies; prevent, reduce, and counter WMD and emerging threats; and prevail against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict.