Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center

Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center at a glance

The Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center provides instrumented environments for maritime research, development, testing and evaluation. Its public mission also includes assessment of operational performance and readiness. AUTEC is part of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center network, connecting technical testing with the evaluation of naval systems and skills.

The center was commissioned on Andros Island in the Bahamas in 1967 after development of a deep-water test capability. The island facilities are associated with the Tongue of the Ocean, while a separate support location is in West Palm Beach, Florida. Public welcome information describes Navy, civil service and contractor responsibilities at the facilities. This makes AUTEC a specialized test organization with geographically separated components rather than a conventional ship homeport.

Also searched as: AUTEC, AUTEC Andros Island.

Sources: AUTEC mission; NUWC Newport history; AUTEC public welcome information

Mission and major activities

• AUTEC provides instrumented areas for maritime research, testing and evaluation.
• Assesses operational performance and readiness.

Sources: AUTEC mission

History and identity

AUTEC was commissioned on Andros Island in the Bahamas in 1967 following development of a deep-water naval test environment.

Sources: NUWC Newport history

Location and community

AUTEC's island facilities are on Andros in the Bahamas near the Tongue of the Ocean; support is also based in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Sources: NUWC Newport history; AUTEC public welcome information

A test and evaluation center within NUWC

The Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center supports research, development, testing and assessment in a maritime environment. It belongs within the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport organization, whose broader responsibilities include engineering and fleet support for undersea systems. This gives AUTEC a different identity from a conventional fleet homeport or a general-purpose training post. Its public mission is centered on evaluating technology and readiness. A useful starting question for an incoming traveler is whether the visit supports a specific technical program, a fleet activity or a permanent detachment assignment.

Official sources: AUTEC mission; NUWC Newport organization overview

Andros Island and West Palm Beach are distinct locations

AUTEC's history identifies the island facility beside the Bahamian embayment known as the Tongue of the Ocean and a shore-support headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida. NUWC's organization overview also lists detachments at Andros Island and West Palm Beach. A map result for AUTEC therefore needs to be read carefully: the Bahamas site and the Florida support location have different travel and household implications. Questions to confirm: confirm the actual duty location on the assignment, which office coordinates the trip and whether any Florida lodging is part of the itinerary.

Official sources: NUWC Newport history: AUTEC commissioning; NUWC Newport organization overview

Why AUTEC's story is tied to scientific testing

NUWC's history dates AUTEC's official commissioning on Andros Island to 1967, following a decade-long effort to develop a deep-water test and evaluation range with three-dimensional measurement capabilities. The wider institutional account places that development among the Navy's evolving underwater-sound, torpedo and engineering organizations. In 1992, those functions were reorganized into Naval Surface Warfare and Naval Undersea Warfare centers. For readers comparing bases, this history explains AUTEC's technical emphasis: its defining role grew from a need for measured evaluation and engineering evidence, rather than from creating a large residential garrison.

Official sources: NUWC Newport history: AUTEC commissioning

Coordinate the whole trip through the official travel office

AUTEC publishes dedicated official-visit information and reservation pages, with a travel coordinator identified for arrangements. The reservation guidance addresses both transport and transient lodging; it directs questions about travel orders to the traveler's own command travel office. Questions to confirm: reconcile the island stay, any West Palm Beach overnight and the return journey before finalizing personal plans. Ask which accommodation is booked and what happens if the itinerary changes. Keep permanent-assignment household questions separate from transient lodging arrangements, and obtain current instructions directly rather than relying on a quoted historical rate or schedule.

Official sources: AUTEC official travel information; AUTEC official reservations

Published addresses and access

Use the destination label below to distinguish visitor access, a service office and postal mail. A published address does not authorize entry. Confirm current access, sponsorship, appointments and reporting instructions with the official office before travelling.

Before you arrive

Use these questions with your sponsor or gaining organization. They are a starting point for planning, including assignments, courses and training periods that differ from a routine permanent change of station.

1. Confirm the organization, duration and reporting instructions shown on your orders. Ask which office handles your arrival.
2. Clarify lodging and housing arrangements before booking. Ask about availability, required approvals and how to handle a late arrival.
3. For an overseas assignment, ask your sponsor about family travel authorization, required documents, medical screening, pets and vehicle shipment before making reservations.
4. Coordinate household goods and personal travel with the appropriate transportation office. Keep orders, receipts and important family records together.
5. Make a short list of contacts for medical care, schools, childcare and family support, where applicable to your assignment.

Official overseas moving resources   Housing allowance information

Sources: AUTEC public welcome information

Resources for service members and families

Start with the official resources for Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center and ask which services your household can use. For a training site, rotational location or Reserve component assignment, confirm arrangements with your unit rather than assuming the services of a large residential installation are available.

From this mission to your next career

The mission at Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center suggests the following areas to consider when describing your experience. These are LockLeed career suggestions based on the public mission, not a list of vacancies or qualifications held by everyone assigned here.

Write down the equipment, systems, processes and teams you personally supported. Add a specific result you can discuss publicly, then match that evidence to the civilian role you want. Keep operational details and sensitive information out of your application.

Official transition resources   Explore SkillBridge programs

Official contacts and installation services

Use the named official resource for this installation or its support community. A directory link does not establish service eligibility, availability or a reporting location. Confirm arrangements with the office or your gaining organization.

Research note: Official NAVSEA indexed content supplemented pages that blocked direct retrieval. Older military welcome material was not used to promise current school, family-housing or allowance availability; rates and detailed schedules are excluded.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and editorial notes

Installation facts above are drawn from the official sources below. Career suggestions and planning questions are LockLeed editorial guidance. Use official offices for current policies, eligibility and arrangements.

1. AUTEC missionSupports: overview, mission
2. NUWC Newport historySupports: overview, local context, history
3. AUTEC public welcome informationSupports: overview, local context, planning note
4. AUTEC missionSupports: expanded guide and official services
5. NUWC Newport organization overviewSupports: expanded guide and official services
6. AUTEC official travel informationSupports: expanded guide and official services
7. AUTEC official reservationsSupports: expanded guide and official services

Reviewed 2026-09-30. This independent guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Map points are approximate and are not routing or reporting instructions.