Not only are we building the capability,
we’re also working hard to build the
tactics that go with it
Lt Col Brad ‘Split’ Darlingplatforms does it need to work with, and
then it’ll get a nal blessing and maybe
a eld recommendation. Along the
way, sometimes we’ll start to re ne the
capability, and that’s where the tactics
portion of the mission comes in. Not only
are we building the capability, we’re also
working hard to build the tactics that
go with it.’‘Bats’ and ‘Skulls’
The 422 regularly works hand-in-
hand with the 85th TES ‘Skulls’ at Eglin
to achieve an overall requirement.
However, according to Maj Aaron ‘Buck’
Schuett, the squadrons di er in a few
key areas. ‘I’ve had the great honor of
ying F-15C Eagles in both the 85th and
the 422. We work very closely in how we
test upgraded software, hardware, and
weaponry. Eglin has the fantastic ability
to collect, analyze and disseminate lotsof technical data because the [DT] 40th
Flight Test Squadron shares their ramp
and the same building. Thanks to this
proximity and the range infrastructure,
the 85th tends to focus on in-depth OT
of hardware, software and weapons.
Since the 422 ies on the Nellis range
alongside units that play an adversary
role, we tend to focus more on how the
latest widget can change our tactics
to make the war ghter more lethal,
especially in large force exercises. With
every single ghter type on the ramp
the 422 has the opportunity to explore
how the latest widgets help all of the
CAF aircraft. Several times a year the
422 and the 85th go on TDY [temporary
duty assignment] together to not only
execute joint tests, but to make sure
we’re all operating under the same
mental model in producing the best
product for the war ghter.’people think of when it comes to test
ying. This ensures the safety and
functionality of the new item, whereas
operational test (OT) ensures it is reliable
and functions as advertised to enable
the real-world mission to be own
e ectively. While very di erent, the two
have increasingly become merged to reap
e ciencies in recent times. ‘Everything
we do here at the 422 is tasked to us by
Air Combat Command,’ explains Darling.
‘It’s going to come [to us] in the form
of a tasking that tells us exactly what
we need to look at. Whether it is a new
weapon or software, further to the left
is the development test. In some cases,
depending on the size of the eets for
di erent aircraft — such as with the A-10,
which only has only one aircraft assigned
to developmental test — once a new
item meets compliance, meaning it is safe
to y, we will be cleared for operational
test to begin. Here at the 422 we can
then begin ying it immediately. At Nellis
only in the case of the A-10, or here and
potentially Eglin in the case of the other
types, we share with our sister squadron,
the 85th TES ‘Skulls’. We start putting
hours and miles on the new item that
then feeds back into developmental test
until we get to the point where that item
or system is mature enough for it to begin
formal OT. Then we put it through the
rigors of a full operational environment:
the threats that are out there, what other
Above: Many
of the aircrew
at the 422nd
TES are
Weapons
School
graduates
— the role
demands
signifi cant
experience.
Below: The
F-15E Strike
Eagle effort
is centered
upon the new
advanced
display core
processor
II (ADCP
II) mission
computer.http://www.combataircraft.net // November 2018 53