SACON^®, Ranges & Training Facilities

What is SACON^®?

Shock-Absorbing Concrete (“SACON^®") was developed by the Waterways Experiment Station, Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) of the US Army Corps of Engineers for use in live-fire training facilities due to its non-ricocheting, non-fragmenting, bullet-trapping capabilities. SACON^® is a low-density, fiber-reinforced, foamed concrete made up of cement, selected aggregate, fiber, and other special chemical additives. Due to its ability to absorb incoming small arms fire and grenade fragmentation and the fact that it is flame-resistant and environmentally-safe, it has replaced other methods, such as dirt, steel, plywood, and rubber as munitions management systems. SACON^® is mobile, can be molded into different shapes, and can be pigmented for concealment or to create a more realistic training environment. SACON^® is the only bullet-trapping structural material that contains phosphate and aluminum compounds that react with heavy metals such as lead and copper to prevent the leaching of these metals into the surrounding soil and/or groundwater. (Source) Because the SACON^® leaching rates are low enough on the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLC) tests, the foamed concrete is generally considered construction waste and can simply be disposed of in a landfill. Currently, there are no other materials possessing these same attributes and abilities.

Amidon Contracting Solutions, Inc. manufactures and installs SACON^®, achieving the acceptable penetration and retention rates. A highly technical product, Amidon is one of only a few active SACON^® license holders with the Army Corps of Engineers’ Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory and the only one that is an 8(a), SDB, SDVOSB, and EDWOSB. Please also visit our photo gallery.

 

Ranges & Training Facilities

As a licensed SACON^® provider, Amidon can provide realistic, live-fire training facilities that are second to none. Our enhanced ranges and training facilities provide the warfighter with realism in every direction. The closest thing to being in-theater is being in one of our training facilities. Whether your mission essential training needs require realistic environments that resemble Middle Eastern, South American, Asian, or any other Area of Operations, including domestic locations, we can provide the facility. This type of training is crucial in today’s methods of unconventional warfare. Our warfighters are finding themselves in close quarter scenarios in which they must protect themselves and their fellow servicemembers and make quick decisions about potentially life-threatening situations.

Amidon also has the ability to construct various new and/or enhance existing training structures with special facades and, depending on the nature of the training (live-fire or non-live-fire), provide various furniture, props, and role players that are particular to certain areas of operations, creating the ultimate combat training environment.

Training in close quarters with live ammunition or simunitions are some of the most effective ways to train. Please also visit our photo gallery.
 

Range Construction & Realistic In-Theater Range Enhancements Offered:

• To Existing and/or New Structures
• Exterior and Interior Fabrication (resembling different Areas of Operations)
• Set Dressing & Props
• Role Players
• MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain) Villages and Structures
• CACTFs (Combined Arms Collective Training Facilities)
• Observation/Guard Towers
• Range Control Towers
• UAC (Urban Assault Courses)
• Steel Turning Target Systems
• Targets (SACON^® and Steel)
• Sniper/Marksman Concealment Towers
• Container Fabrication for Simunitions Training and/or Mock Environments
• Custom Designed Structures
• SACON^® (Shock-Absorbing Concrete)
  • Shoot Houses (one and two story)
  • Live Fire Villages
  • Floor Planks / Roof Planks
  • Range Backstops
  • Bullet Cubes
  • Lane Dividers
  • Weapon Clearing Stations
  • Bullet-trapping/Deflector devices
  • Repair and Replacement Products & Services

Amidon Contracting Solutions, Inc. is the only licensed SACON^® provider that is an 8(a), SDB, SDVOSB, and EDWOSB.