Building Silence, Unlocking Innovation: The FISTA Anechoic Chamber

Innovation often comes not just from what we add, but from what we remove. The FISTA is investing in a space defined by absence — the absence of noise, interference, and distortion — to bring clarity, precision, and possibility to companies doing cutting-edge work.

In fact, The FISTA is currently building not one, but two anechoic chambers.

What Is an Anechoic Chamber?

An anechoic chamber is a specially treated room designed to absorb reflections of sound or electromagnetic waves. The surfaces — walls, ceilings (and sometimes floors) — are lined with absorbing materials — foam wedges, ferrite tiles, etc. — so that sensors or devices inside are subject only to the direct signals they emit (or receive), without echoes, reverberation, or outside “noise.” 

There are two main types:

Acoustic anechoic chambers for sound: eliminating echoes so that measurements like sound pressure, frequency response, and human auditory perception happen in almost absolute quiet.

RF / Electromagnetic anechoic chambers for radio, antenna, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing: suppressing external electromagnetic interference and internal reflections so devices can be tested with precise, reproducible results.

Why This Matters

By adding this kind of facility, The FISTA will unlock capabilities for the region that few places offer, especially at scale. Here are some of the big payoffs:

Precision in R&D & Product Development
Devices that transmit or receive signals — antennas, wireless sensors, IoT devices, radar, defense electronics — need very accurate characterization. All of these can only be reliably measured in a controlled, echo-free chamber. Mistakes in these measurements can lead to failures, degraded performance, or costly redesigns.

Regulatory Compliance & Faster Time to Market
Many products must meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards. They must not emit too much interference, and must tolerate a certain level of interference without breaking. Anechoic chambers are essential for these evaluations. Because tests done outdoors or in uncontrolled environments are often invalid or “noisy,” facilities like this reduce risk, provide repeatable test results, and speed up certification.

Supporting Emerging Technologies
As wireless tech advances — 5G/6G, mmWave, satellite communications, massive MIMO arrays, sensors, defense systems — testing environments need to operate at higher frequencies, with more sensitivity, and under tighter performance tolerances. Anechoic chambers tuned for wide bandwidths and low reflection are vital. The FISTA’s chamber can serve as a platform for prototyping and validating the next generation of wireless tech.

Innovation & Local Capacity Building
Having such a resource locally means companies don’t need to travel far — or outsource — for this specialized infrastructure. That means lower cost, faster iteration cycles, more accessible experimentation. It also helps attract and retain tech and defense firms, educators, and researchers to the region. In turn, that fuels more innovation, more skilled jobs, and more companies choosing to locate (or stay) nearby.

Confidentiality, Confidential Testing, and Security
RF testing outdoors or in semi-controlled environments exposes product designs, emissions, and vulnerabilities to outside observers. Anechoic chambers allow for private, secure testing. This is especially important in sectors like defense, aerospace, or proprietary wireless systems. Also, because the chamber prevents emissions from leaking out, it helps in maintaining secrecy or compliance with export/regulation rules. 

Meet Our Chambers

The Big Chamber

Specs:

• Size: 85’ x 33’ x 30’
• Standards: MIL-STD 464D, MIL-STD 461G, RTCA DO-160G
• Frequency Range: L–Ku bands
• Features: 12’ x 15’ door for large equipment; removable turntable; & wall assembly

 

 

Think of this as a full-scale testing garage for advanced technology. At 85 feet long, it’s big enough to roll in vehicles or large equipment through a door the size of a two-car garage. Inside, it makes the area very quiet for antennas, radar, or communications equipment. It blocks out outside signals and stops them from resonating. Engineers can mount equipment on a giant turntable to measure signals from every angle, or reconfigure the space with removable walls for different experiments. This chamber is built to meet strict military and aviation standards. This means it can handle the toughest testing situations used by defense contractors and aerospace companies.

The Small Chamber

Specs:

• Size: 10’ x 10’ x 10’
• Standards: MIL-STD 461G, RTCA DO-160
• Frequency Range: L–Ku bands
• Features: Compact size for rapid testing, optimized for efficiency

 

This is the quick-test workroom — a compact 10-foot cube designed for speed and efficiency. It’s perfect for testing individual components, smaller devices, or early prototypes without tying up the larger space. Companies can run tests more often, get results faster, and keep projects moving. Like its big sibling, it blocks out unwanted noise and interference, and it meets the same industry standards for accuracy and reliability.

Partner Use Cases

Once operational, here are concrete examples of what local companies or partners could do in The FISTA’s anechoic chambers:

Startups developing new IoT devices can test antenna, power-consumption, and signal protection under real-world-like electromagnetic stress, without having to ship prototypes far away.

Aerospace / defense companies could test radar or sensor systems before they are put on planes or platforms. This will reduce the risk of problems in the field.

Schools and research centers could test new wireless communication systems (mmWave, satellite uplinks). This would give students a chance to see the standards and practices in the industry.

Connected vehicle / automotive tech labs could simulate real-world RF noise and interference to test whether their vehicle’s wireless systems operate reliably in crowded electromagnetic environments.

Looking Toward the Future

When complete, The FISTA’s anechoic chambers will stand as more than technical assets — they will represent the kind of mission-driven infrastructure that makes Lawton, Ft-Sill. the go-to home for advanced innovation. By bringing world-class testing capacity under one roof, we are removing barriers that slow ‌growth, connecting companies with defense and commercial opportunities, and anchoring breakthroughs right here in the region.

For startups, primes, researchers, and students alike, it’s not just a chamber of silence — it’s a chamber of possibility. At The FISTA, innovation doesn’t have to leave home to make an impact.