assigned to y the type spend three weeks in
Alabama for initial systems and procedures
training in a C-12 simulator. Then they go to
the C-12 FTU at Edwards for two weeks of
ight training that includes several days of
academics, an instrument refresher course,
four ights and a check ride.
Meanwhile testing and improvements
to the F-22A Raptor continues. Increment
3.1 is being applied now with the addition
of a synthetic aperture radar and the Small
Diameter Bomb.
The F-22 Combined Test Force (CTF) has
recently completed the next enhancement,
Increment 3.2A, with new air-to-air
capabilities, and is also working on 3.2B.
One of the main test programmes
currently being run for the F-22A is the
Helmet-Mounted Cueing System developed
by Thales Visionix. This is currently
available for the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18, and
integration on the F-22A would improve its
capability for off-boresight missile shots
during a visual dog ght. In addition,
integration of the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile
is also being tested; the aircraft will be able
to re the weapon at high angles of attack
and high look angles.
Much work is taking place on the
Lightning II at Edwards. The F-35 System
Development and Demonstration (SDD)
phase is 60% complete and is continuing
apace. The aircraft’s Development Testing
and Evaluation (DT&E) phase began in
2015 along with its Operational Test and
Evaluation (OT&E) phase.Since the beginning of 2015 there have
been 22 F-35s at Edwards, including all
three variants of the fth-generation ghter.
Among them are a pair of Royal Air Force
F-35Bs and two Royal Netherlands Air Force
F-35As. Current testing includes work on
the helmet, F-35B air-to-air refuelling and
weapons systems.
Flight sciences aircraft testing continues
to expand the edges of the F-35’s ight
envelope and enhance its manoeuvrability.
The main focus is on mission systems ight
trials, largely associated with the aircraft’s
complex software.NASA
In 1946, 13 engineers and technicians
from the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics (NACA) at Langley Memorial
Aeronautical Laboratory came to Muroc
Army Air Base to prepare for the rst
supersonic research ights by the X-1
rocket plane. That organisation, evolvedinto the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) in 1958. On March
1, 2014, NASA’s Dryden Flight Research
Center at Edwards was renamed the
Armstrong Flight Research Center in honour
of astronaut Neil Armstrong. NASA’s facility
at Edwards is tasked to research, develop,
verify advanced aeronautics, space and
related technologies.
Modi ed aircraft have been used for
ight research by NASA at Edwards AFB
since the 1950s. Various types are currently
assigned to the Armstrong Flight Research
Center for research or support duties. Those
based at Edwards are the Beech 200 Super
King Air, F-15B, F-15D, F/A-18A Hornet,
F/A-18B, C-20A, T-34C plus Ikhana Predator
B and RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned air
vehicles.FUTURE
Cuts in the US defence budget have hit
operations at Edwards. The number of46 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft June 2016Two KC-135s and a C-17 being used by the 418th FLTS.This B-52H is on loan from Barksdale AFB.Globemaster III 03-3121 ‘ED’ lifts off from Edwards on a test mission.42-47_edwardsMFDC.mfDC.mf.indd 46 04/05/2016 16:55