proving ground

crucible

Vessel for extreme heat

• trial by fireTest through difficult experience
• baptism of fireDifficult first exposure
• stepping stoneIntermediate stage toward goal

rite of passage · sink or swim · make or break · litmus test · springboard · launching pad · breakthrough · opportunity · mettle · character building

incubator

Controlled warming enclosure

• testbedExperimental evaluation environment
• sandboxEnclosed play area
• pilot programTest phase before expansion

beta testing · prototype · validation · iteration · accelerator · launchpad · startup · experiment · R&D · alpha testing

benchmark

Standard for comparison

• standardLevel of quality accepted
• yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
• measureUnit of quantity

assessment · verification · quality control · stress test · vetting · scrutiny · inspection · calibration · diagnostics · screening

weapons testing

Assessing armament effectiveness

• ballisticsProjectile motion science
• ordnanceMilitary weapons collectively
• artillery rangeHeavy weapons testing area

maneuvers · combat simulation · munitions · field exercise · training ground · defense · tactical · war games · live fire · armored vehicles

test track

Vehicle evaluation circuit

• crash testControlled impact experiment
• durabilityResistance to wear
• handlingTreatment or management

endurance · road course · skid pad · prototype · emissions testing · safety testing · reliability · suspension · braking · acceleration

• training facilitytraining center, gym, academy, boot camp, dojo
• Cold War SitesBerlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, Iron Curtain, Brandenburg Gate, Kremlin
• crash testingcrash test, test dummy, frontal crash, frontal impact, side impact
• federal sitesfederal building, federal courthouse, federal prison, federal reserve, federal reserve bank
• heroic questquest, odyssey, call to adventure, hero's journey, departure
• military facilitiesmilitary base, command center, army base, air force base, headquarters