June 25, 2022 Air Force selects future aircrew helmet The helmet prototype was chosen after Air Combat Command initiated the search for a next-generation helmet to address issues with long-term neck and back injuries, optimize aircraft technology, improve pilot longevity, and provide better fitment to diverse aircrews.
March 14, 2022 F-16s to receive next-generation electronic warfare suite The Air Force took another step in the effort to modernize the electronic warfare (EW) capabilities of the F-16 fleet. On March 10, in advance of a multi-million dollar contract modification award expected later this year, the Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate issued an Unpriced Change
Nov. 30, 2021 AF to field new bladder relief device, working toward “suite of options” The Air Force is slated to receive the first shipment of the Omni Gen. 3 Skydrate, an improved in-flight bladder relief device, early next month. The Air Force recognized that current devices were not optimized for long-duration sorties, and as a result, aircrew were routinely dehydrating themselves
Nov. 15, 2021 Air Force discusses modernization of operational C2 systems The 505th Command and Control Wing hosted a team from the 700th Air Support Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, to familiarize the wing’s units to the Kessel Run All-Domain Operations Suite, or KRADOS, operational command and control tools and discuss the modernization of operational C2
May 18, 2021 370th Flight Test Squadron conducts air refueling operations with F-15EX Eagle II’s F-15EX Eagle II’s from the 40th Flight Test Squadron, 96th Test Wing, and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, both out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, fly in formation during an aerial refueling operation over Northern California, May 14. The aircraft participated in the Northern Edge 21
May 17, 2021 For the Warfighter: Operational Test advances at NE21 As Northern Edge 21 concludes, the 53rd Wing is returning home having achieved major test objectives for multiple weapons systems May 3-14, 2021. In addition to F-15EX deep end testing and B-52 long-range kill chain milestones for hypersonic weapons, the 53d Wing’s F-35s, MQ-9s, F-15Cs and F-15Es,
May 11, 2021 Project Strike Rodeo: F-15E loaded with five JASSMs The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron completed a munitions proof-of-concept called Project Strike Rodeo, May 11, 2021, that validated loading five AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) on an F-15E Strike Eagle. This lays the foundation for follow-on flight testing that would more
April 27, 2021 F-15EX takes flight An F-15EX Eagle II from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, takes flight for the first time out of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 26, 2021, prior to departure for Northern Edge 2021. The F-15EX brings next-generation combat technology to a highly successful fighter airframe that is
April 19, 2021 Air Force provides C2 advisors to operational-level commanders With global competition heating up, the need to maximize the agility of U.S. Air Force operational command and control has never been more pressing. Fortunately, the USAF’s Operational Command Training Program is a foundational piece of its current C2 training architecture.
March 8, 2021 Test like we fight: ‘Orange Flag’, ‘Black Flag’ collaborate to accelerate change Orange Flag, the large force test event carried out three times annually by Air Force Test Center’s 412th Test Wing, combined with the 53rd Wing’s Black Flag, bringing a first for the test community March 2-4.