11 May 2016

JSF tailhook testing begins at Edwards

When most people hear "tailhook" they think of U.S. Navy planes and aircraft carriers. However, almost all U.S. combat aircraft have a tailhook.That also goes for the Air Force's new F-35A Joint Strike Fighter. The JSF Integrated Test Force here conducted the first set of tests for the F-35A's tailhook. F-35s have landed using a tailhook before,

9 May 2016

Wind tunnel test cart enclosures upgraded to accommodate new systems

The test carts for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Propulsion Wind Tunnel have received new enclosures to house the updated data acquisition and control systems."With new systems on the carts, we had to come up with a new enclosure to house that equipment," said Marc Smotherman, ATA project manager for the Improve Transonic Test

29 Apr 2016

Marine Osprey flies in to fuel up F-35B

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey descended on Edwards to link up with a Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighter April 28.Both aircraft are assigned to Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron 22 (VMX-22) out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona.VMX-22 has a detachment here where Marines are testing and evaluating their version of the JSF,

20 Apr 2016

Edwards introduces new and improved fuel storage system

 The 412th Civil Engineering Group here introduced the installation's new state-of-the-art Bulk Fuel Storage System at a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 20, 2016."The new Bulk Fuel Storage System, which supplies jet fuel for the Air Force Test Center's aircraft, replaces the outdated system which was built in the 1950s and has nearly doubled its

11 Apr 2016

Testing at AEDC assists in further integration of the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles

In February 2016, missile manufacturer Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia announced that the first Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles were delivered to the U.S. for integration and testing on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightning II.Store separation testing of the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile has been conducted in the wind tunnels at the

29 Mar 2016

C-17 Drag Reduction testing aims at saving fuel

From testing synthetic biofuels to "vortex surfing," Edwards AFB is on the forefront of finding new ways to cut fuel costs for the Air Force.The latest venture is currently underway at the 418th Flight Test Squadron where a test team of Air Force and Boeing personnel has just completed the first phase of Air Force Research Laboratory's C-17 Drag

29 Mar 2016

AEDC arc heater undergoing significant upgrades in support of advanced hypersonic systems

In light of current and future Department of Defense testing needs for long-range strike and hypersonic vehicle materials development, a facility upgrade for the H2 arc heater here has been funded.As part of the upgrade, a state-of-the-art segmented heater is being placed in the H2 arc tunnel to replace the vintage Huels heater from the 1960s.The

21 Mar 2016

Arnold participating in Energy Savings Performance Contract

Arnold Air Force Base has been selected to take part in an energy saving performance contract due to having a very large energy load.Through this contract, funding will become available to finance numerous facility improvement projects that will save money and energy for AEDC. The execution of the projects will be financed through the achieved

12 Feb 2016

KC-46 tanker successfully refuels F/A-18

A U.S. Air Force and Boeing aircrew aboard the KC-46 tanker successfully refueled an F/A-18 fighter jet in flight Feb. 10.The air refueling was the program's first using the KC-46's hose and drogue system. It took place in the skies over Washington state.According to Boeing, the flight lasted more than four hours and the tanker's air refueling

21 Jan 2016

F-35 fires first AIM-9X missile

An F-35 from the 461st Flight Test Squadron launched an AIM-9X missile for the first time over the Pacific Sea Test Range Jan. 12, 2016. The Flight Sciences aircraft, AF-1, of the Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force, was piloted by David Nelson, Lockheed Martin chief F-35 test pilot at Edwards AFB.The AIM-9X is an advanced infrared missile