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Organization of AUTEC
AUTEC, Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation
Center, is a United States Navy project offering
underwater testing, in-air test facilities and support
to United States, Canadian, British, North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO), and other military and
civilian organizations. AUTEC Andros Island,
Bahamas (ASD) and AUTEC West Palm Beach, Florida
(WPB) are United States Navy facilities. A small
detachment of US Navy personnel are stationed at
these facilities, with primary responsibility for
protection of military interests. The Maintenance & Operations contractor maintains and
operates AUTEC under contract with the US Navy. Approximately 45 civil service personnel,
Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC), have responsibility for oversight of AUTEC
operations and the Maintenance & Operations contractor.
History
When Columbus landed in the Bahamas, the islands were populated by a people who
call themselves the “Lukku-cairi” or “Island people” and their name for Andros Island was
“Lucayoneque” or “island which is of islands”. This name appeared on many of the early maps
until the Spanish renamed the islands “bajar mar” (shallow sea), now pronounced Bahamas.
Later the name “Isla del Espiritu Sanctu” (Island of the Holy Spirit) replace Lucayoneque.
In 1670, the Bahamas were granted to six British Lord Proprietors; Andros Island was
officially named for Sir Edmund Andros. The spellings of the names Andros has varied over the
years as different nationalities, accents and literacy affected the way it was pronounced and
written. Variations such as Andrews Island, St. Andros and Andrus can be found in spongers
and pirates’ map rooms. Andros Island’s economic potential includes; farming, fishing, basket
weaving and tourism.
In the period following World War II, the US Navy encountered difficulties in testing and
evaluating new developments of weapon systems and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) detection
devices. These new assets focused attention on the need for a deep water three-dimensional
range that would simulate open ocean conditions. After surveying several sites, the “Tongue of
the Ocean” (TOTO) located east of Andros Island, Bahamas was chosen.