The course lasts 48 weeks, during which
students will y as many as 30 different
aircraft types. The main aircraft types used
are the F-16, T-38 and C-12. The T-38 is the
workhorse of the USAF TPS and exposes
students to ghter-type performance. It
serves as the primary aircraft for student
team data collection, ight test techniques
and projects.
The school has several gliders which are
used extensively in the curriculum. Other
aircraft types own include the KC-135
Stratotanker, HU-16 Twin Albatross, F-15D
Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, Calspan Learjet,
F-16 Variable stability In- ight Simulator
Test Aircraft (VISTA), MiG-15, T-6, An-2 and
CM170 – none of which are owned by the
USAF Test Pilot School.
Over the years, the organisation has
graduated more than 3,000 students,
including 310 from 24 countries.412TH TEST WING
The 412th Test Wing is the parent unit
to six ight test squadrons (FLTSs) with
a combined eet of around 75 aircraft.The Engineering Division and Electronic
Warfare Division provides the tools, skills
and equipment for the core disciplines of
aircraft structures, propulsion, avionics and
electronic warfare evaluation of the latest
weapon system technologies.
Aircraft are grouped by mission,
representing global power ( ghters and
bombers); global reach (transport); and
global vigilance (unmanned and airborne
laser). Currently they are divided into:- 411th FLTS F-22
- 416th FLTS F-16 & T-38 (merged with
the 445th FLTS) - 418th FLTS C-12, C-17A and KC-135
- 419th FLTS B-1B, B-2A, B-52H and C-12
- 452nd FLTS RQ-4
- 461st FLTS F-35
The 412th Test Wing also provides aircraft
and other support to the USAF TPS and
AFFTC.
On the support side, the 95th Air Base
Wing is the host unit for Edwards, led by the
installation commander. It is responsible
for operating this, the second-largest basein the USAF, including its infrastructure,
communication systems, security, re
protection, transportation, supply, nance,
contracting, legal services, personnel and
manpower support, housing, education and
chapel.
Testing and evaluating at Edwards AFB
includes state-of-the-art equipment and
software, but also covers updates to older
types and systems in service for many years.
Currently around 140 different testing
programmes are being conducted at
Edwards AFB. They include many different
kinds of ight and ground testing of aircraft,
weapons systems, software and components
as well as modelling and simulation.
Durations vary, with long test
programmes, such as that for the F-16 or
F-35, lasting for years. Others might only
have a timeline of a couple of months.
An example of a test programme running
on an older airframe involves the B-52H
Stratofortress – which has been in service
with the USAF for more than 50 years, it is
still being developed. Working together with
Boeing, the 419th FLTS is upgrading the
internal weapons bay to carry Military Standard
1760 smart weapons in the bomb bay rather
than just on the external weapons pylons.
This project was announced on
September 23, 2013 as the Internal Weapons
Bay Upgrade (IWBU) and is expected to
be nished by October 2017, after which all
B-52s will receive the same treatment. They
will then be able to carry Joint Direct Attack
Munitions (JDAMs), Joint Air-to-Surface
Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) and Miniature Air
Launched Decoys (MALDs) internally.
Upgrades on more high-tech equipment
is under way on the B-2A Spirit which will
enable the USAF’s bat-winged bomber to
remain in service to 2058. These will include
new computer processors, avionics, radar
warning receivers and communications
equipment.
The 419th FLTS also runs the USAF’s
C-12 Formal Training Unit (FTU). PilotsThe Test Pilot School uses around a dozen T-38C Talons.http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 45Lockheed Martin F-16C 87-0352 ‘ED’ taxies out from the United States Air Force Test Pilot
School ramp.42-47_edwardsMFDC.mfDC.mf.indd 45 04/05/2016 22:26