Operational requirements for the USWTR site are set forth in what is called an operational requirements document (ORD). The ORD contains both the operational and physical requirements for the USWTR and is the basis for the site selection process. The first step for the Navy in identifying alternative sites for the USWTR was to define the parameters required for an effective range. While the USWTR would be an underwater training range, as it is to be primarily used for ASW, exercises would typically involve surface and air participants as well.

The site selection process evaluated operational and climatological factors, including air station proximity, climatological availability, and shore landing site and infrastructure. The sites were ranked in each category as desirable, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory, and then the results of the evaluations for each site were compared. The site selection process for the USWTR that narrowed the potential USWTR sites down to four alternatives: offshore of northeastern Florida (Jacksonville Operating Area [OPAREA]; offshore of central South Carolina (Charleston OPAREA); offshore of southeastern North Carolina (Cherry Point OPAREA); and, offshore of northeastern Virginia (VACAPES OPAREA).

Result of this analysis produced four potential site alternatives, will be discussed separately under Site Alternatives.