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Showing results for tags 'flight test'.
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T-38A operated by the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. In the 1980s, T-38s were used mostly as safety/photo chase for F-15 and F-16 test missions. Sometimes used as radar targets for airborne radar test missions. September 1982, formation proficiency mission. Canopies fogged during climb out! December 1984, safety chase proficiency mission against our F-4E. Maintaining photo position while we simulate a dive bomb attack on a Superior Valley Range target. Close aboard over the Sierra Nevada foothills west of Owens Valley and China Lake Naval Weapons Center. May 1985 on the Edwards ramp Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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T-38A operated by the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. In the 1980s, T-38s were used mostly as safety/photo chase for F-15 and F-16 test missions. Sometimes used as radar targets for airborne radar test missions. On the Nellis AFB transient ramp, September 1980 Edwards AFB, May 1985 Edwards AFB, February 1989 Edwards AFB, October 1991 Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) T-38As. The USAF TPS was part of the 6510th Test Wing (now the 412th Test Wing), Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. When I went through the school, 1981-82, the T-38 was used in the aircraft performance phase of the curriculum along with the A-37B and KC-135. The T-38 was also used as a proficiency aircraft. TPS Talons were distinguished from the general test support T-38s by their flight test nose probes. 63-8135, May 1985 ...and in September 1992 The ED tail codes were added in 1987-88. Air Force Systems Command was merged with Air Force Logistics Command in 1992 to form Air Force Materiel Command, hence the Systems Command shield was replaced with the Materiel Command shield on the tail. 68-8153, May 1985 ...and September 1992 88-8154, September 1982. Photos by one of my fellow engineers, Jan Schofield. I'm in the rear cockpit of '154. ,,,May 1985 ...October 1991 ...September 1992 68-8205, May 1985 ...September 1992 Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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F-4C 63-7654, 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. '654 was a dedicated pacer aircraft at Edwards in the 1980s. Meaning she had test aircraft fly close formation with her such that the test jet would record airpeed and altitude data for comparison with '654's data. '654 carried 'sensitive' air data instrumentation in her nose, in the radar racks. The calibrated nose probe for pacer flights was integrated into a separate F-4C radome. When not serving as a pacer, the standard radome was installed. For pacer missions, the radome with the calibrated nose probe was installed; connecting the air data lines to the instrumentation and then closing up the pacer radome. October 1984. Being used as a munitions jamming demonstration airframe at the Edwards AFB open house. Standard radome installed. March 1985, on the Edwards flight line with standard radome installed. September 1990, making a tour fly-by run over the Rogers Dry Lake. Pacer probe fitted. October 1991. Pacer probe fitted. November 1991. Pacer probe fitted and a "high-speed" centerline external fuel tank and wing pylons. Either the tank or the radome will have to be removed before her next mission. The pacer probe and data system were calibrated for a clean aircraft (wing pylons alone were okay). Kind of unusual to see the outer wing pylons without external fuel tanks. Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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Another F-16A with the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB. November 1991 with a replacement rudder from a New Jersey Air National Guard bird. September 1992 I never got pictures of her in the white/red scheme of the test support fleet before I left Edwards in 1993, so she must have been one of the last F-16s to be re-painted. Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester.
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During the second half of the 11-month course, the USAF Test Pilot School would bring in aircraft from other units for student sorties to qualitatively evaluate aircraft flying qualities and systems performance. The intent was to give the widest experience possible in evaluating a variety of aircraft. Here, the visiting Scooters at Edwards from the Pacific Fleet Adversary unit, Attack Squadron 127 ("The Cylons"), out of NAS Miramar, providing sorties for TPS Class 81A, October 1981. 153681 153683 154657 Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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During the second half of the 11-month course, the USAF Test Pilot School would bring in aircraft from other units for student sorties to qualitatively evaluate aircraft flying qualities and systems performance. The intent was to give the widest experience possible in evaluating a variety of aircraft. As part of that program, if it wasn't possible to bring the aircraft to Edwards, a student team would go to another base to conduct evaluations. Probably the most unusual of the off-base evaluations was the Goodyear blimp. Anyway, one of the more popular evaluation airframes was the F-105 - so long as they were still in the USAF inventory. Here, the visiting Thuds at Edwards from the 466th Tac Fighter Squadron, 419th Tac Fighter Wing, Air Force Reserve out of Hill AFB, providing sorties for TPS Class 83A, October 1983. F-105D 62-4387 F-105F 63-8261 F-105F 63-8287 F-105F 63-8309 Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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In 1980, Eglin AFB was an Air Force Systems Command base. The host unit was the Air Force Development Test Center with its flying activities under the 3246th Test Wing. Tenant units with flying operations were the Tactical Air Warfare Center (TAWC) and the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, both were Tactical Air Command units. TAWC fight operations were accomplished by the 53rd Fighter Weapons Wing and the 4485th Test and Evaluation Squadron. The USAF Armament Museum is also located at Eglin AFB. A-10A 73-1668, 3246TW A-10A 79-0166, 4485TES F-4C 64-0817, 3246TW F-4C 64-0875, 3246TW RF-4C 63-7742, 3246TW F-4D 65-0698, 3246TW F-4D 66-8699, 3246TW F-4E 66-0295, 4485TES F-4E 66-0308, 4485TES F-4E 67-0265, 3246TW F-15A 77-0064, 4485TES F-15B 77-0161, 3246TW F-16A 79-0328, 4485TES F-16A 80-0551, 4485TES F-111E 68-0058, 3246TW T-38A 61-0874, 3246TW T-38A 70-1571, 3246TW T-38A 70-1557, 3246TW Some Armament Museum aircraft... P-51D 44-13571 (Cavalier Mustang 68-15796) P-47N 44-89320 F-101B 56-0250 CIM-10A 55-22010 BQM-34C Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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F-16C s/n 83-1118. The first F-16C Block 25 airframe and the first of three initial F-16C airframes that were all turned over to the 6510th Test Wing at Edwards AFB and referred to as the "Three Sisters": 83-1118. '119 and '120. August 1989 - The centerline store is a flight test special instrumentation recording pod, she always carried it. The orange bands denote modified equipment. I think she was always fitted with the flight test nose boom with yaw and pitch vanes as well. The black 'blivet' ahead of the vertical tail fairing was referred to as the "disco ball" - it was a retro-reflector housing with silver apertures encased all around it. January 1991 October 1991 December 1992 Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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Some shots of Full Scale Development F-16B 75-0752 after she was bailed to General Dynamics for J79 engine integration evaluation. In this configuration, she was one-of-a-kind and the concept was eventually shelved. On the Edwards AFB ramp during pre-flight checks, November 1980. On display at the NAS Miramar Air Show, August 1983. Carried these markings while being demonstrated to the Navy as a potential Naval Fighter Weapons School aggressor. Elongated intake splitter plate to accommodate the J79 engine air flow requirement. Fuselage extension and J79 exhaust nozzle. Ad from Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine, 1980. Thanks of looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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T-38A operated by the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. In the 1980s, T-38s were used mostly as safety/photo chase for F-15 and F-16 test missions. Sometimes used as radar targets for airborne radar test missions. May 1985 At this time, '825 was designated the personal mount of Major General Peet Odgers, Commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center January 1990 Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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75-0751 was the longest serving FSD F-16 in basic flight test. Primarily used for stability and control evaluations, it also was used for an early program for demonstrating high angle-of-attack and departures (spins) behavior to operational flight crews that would come to Edwards specifically for the "E-ticket" flights with test pilots serving as the instructors. July 1982, "High-Alpha" mission with the departure recovery parachute package, AKA "spin chute", carried above the engine exhaust nozzle on a quadrapod. July 1982, on the tanker during a High-Alpha mission. During these missions it wasn't unusual to hit the tanker in between test points several times in order to keep the aircraft center of gravity within a specified range. Engineers in the mission control facility used a fuel-burn "map" real-time to determine the center of gravity location based on total fuel quantity. Center of gravity location is critical in most all aircraft as the further aft the CG, the more longitudinally unstable the aircraft. November 1982, with 'yarn' tufts installed on the wings and vertical tail to visualize air flow over the flight surfaces. Note the aircraft still has the original Stencel ejection seats. I don't think she ever got the ACES II seats installed. June 1983, ready for another High Alpha mission March 1984, yet another High-Alpha mission March 1990, ready to taxi November 1990, on the tanker's wing during another High-Alpha mission. The characteristic red head rest covers of the Stencel seats. Thanks for looking, Sven
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The sole North American Aviation FJ-4B operated by Flight Systems Inc. USN Bureau Number 143575. Used primarily to test missile radar guidance systems. Carried the civil registration N400FS and later, N9255. When it passed to civilian hands in 1991, it was re-registered as N400FS again and is still flying. August 1981 October 1982 Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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This is a follow-up to a photography post I made here in 2017. That post centered on one particular A-37B during a USAF Test Pilot School departure and spin training mission. Dragonflies were used by the 6510th Test Wing at Edwards AFB for flight test support missions and as USAF Test Pilot School curriculum aircraft. The Test Pilot School (TPS) used the A-37B to teach aircraft performance test techniques and for departure from controlled flight and spin test techniques and evaluations. The Test Pilot School aircraft could be distinguished by the flight test nose-boom installed in place of the aerial refueling probe. The spin aircraft took quite a beating during the departure maneuvers. My favorite was climbing as the airspeed decreased and then putting in hard lateral stick to a 90-deg bank, transitioning pitch to yaw, resulting in a spin - often inverted. On one occasion, the aircraft came back with one horizontal tail now bent downward about 20 degrees. Test support missions were primarily safety and photo chase, and were flown by the 6512th Test Squadron. In the mid-eighties the designation was changed from A-37B to OA-37B to indicate the forward air control mission. At about the same time, the TPS airframes were given the designation NOA-37B - the "N" indicating that permanent test modifications had been made to the airframe. 70-1310, January 1982. The YAPS (Yaw and Pitch Sensor) nose boom characteristic of a TPS aircraft. The black bar on the top and bottom of the right wing was to allow quick determination of the aircraft attitude in a spin by aerial and ground observers. 70-1310, July 1984. 70-1310, May 1985. In August 1994, this aircraft crashed in the desert north of Edwards after a stuck valve in one of the tip tanks created a fuel imbalance resulting in an unrecoverable spin. The crew ejected safely. 73-1060, March 1982. Still bears the crescent and fleur-de-lis of the 706TFS (AFRES) on the tip tanks. 73-1090, March 1981. 73-1090, October 1991. 73-1101, October 1991. 73-1102, October 1991. 73-1101 and '1102 were transferred to the 6510TW in late 1990/early 1991. It was hoped that these airframes would be converted to TPS airframes, but it was determined that the flying hours and condition of the airframes made the conversion impractical and they were excessed to AMARG in 1992. Thanks for looking, Sven
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T-38A 67-14856, 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. A test support aircraft used for safety and photo chase missions. Served occasionally as a radar target. May 1985 Formation proficiency mission, April 1989 Thanks for looking, Sven
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A-7D, s/n 71-0339, was a support jet with the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB. It was primarily used as a systems trainer for the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) and as a support aircraft for other aircraft test flights, usually F-15s or F-16s. '339 was transferred from the 107th Tac Fighter Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard in early 1989. Ready to serve as a radar target with ALQ-188 ECM pods, October 1989 April 1990 September 1990 Thanks for looking, Sven
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F-16C 88-0445, 6516th Test Squadron, F-16 Combined Test Force, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. '445 was a dedicated test aircraft, used mostly for evaluation of software and radar upgrades. June 1990. The store on the centerline is a high-speed radar data recorder pod. These pods sere conversions of the original centerline fuel tanks used during Full-Scale Development testing. The orange stripe running longitudinally along the tank indicates flight test peculiar modifications or equipment. Radar test mission, January 1991. High-speed radar data recorder pod on the centerline - here, the orange stripe runs the circumference of the pod. Before engine start checks... Engine running and instrumentation pod checks... Chocks pulled and General Dynamics ground crew signaling hold before taxi. 83-1143 is waiting to taxi and served as the test mission safety chase and radar target... Taxiing out... Making a low pass during a sensor test in October 1990 carrying an ALQ-131 ECM pod on the centerlne. We had a missile sensor on top of a truck on Rodgers dry lake and various aircraft would make passes at various heights to see. how the sensor reacted. Thanks for looking, Sven
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F-4E s/n 66-0284 served as a test support aircraft at Edwards AFB from 1984 through 1992. She was operated by the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center.. She was NOT part of the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) chase flight, hence she did not have white upper wings when she wore the wrap-around SEA camouflage. Over the Mojave Desert, January 1985. On our wing for a straight-in approach to landing at Edwards, January 1985. Like all Edwards-based Phantoms, she got the "Albino Rhino" treatment in the 1987-88 time frame. Shown on the Edwards ramp in January 1989. Before her time at Edwards, '284 was a test support aircraft with the 3246th Test Wing at Eglin AFB. Thanks for looking' Sven
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YA-7D s/n 67-14584 operated by the USAF Test Pilot School, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. October 1984 May 1985 The trapezoid markings on top of the wing are for optical tracking during TPS spin training/evaluation missions, making it easier to determine the aircraft attitude with ground-based optical trackers and cameras. TPS would spin the A-7 both upright and inverted. November 1991 September 1992 Like her sisters, she was retired to AMARG in September 1992 Thanks for looking, Sven
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TG-7A, USAF s/n 81-0886, belonging to the 94th Airmanship Training Squadron at the USAF Academy. She was on loan to the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB in October 1984. The Academy had experienced some troubling approach-to-stall characteristics with the TG-7A, so this example was sent to the USAF Flight Test Center for evaluation. The 6512th was tasked with evaluating the aircraft flight characteristics and identifying any required mitigations in flight procedures. Note that the left wing has been "tufted" for airflow visualization. Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester
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Another test support fleet phantom with the 6512th Test Squadron at Edwards AFB. June 1983 in Air Defense Command Gray October 1983 with the ED tail code added, leading F-4C 64-0727 March 1985 in the test support albino scheme with patchwork external tanks May 1985 January 1989 with an unusual white radome May 1989 during a formation proficiency mission July 1990 September 1990 Thanks for looking, Sven
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F-15 77-0139 was assigned to the F-15 Combined Test Force (CTF) at Edwards AFB for its entire career. Its primary mission was engine testing of various modifications to the P&W F100 and how the engine behaved in the F-15. The F-15 CTF comprised cadre from AF Systems Command, McDonnell-Douglas, Pratt & Whitney, and occasionally, Tactical Air Command. The F-15 CTF was one of several CTFs (A-10, B-1, C-17, etc.) under the 6510th Test Wing of the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards. The designation of the Systems Command CTF component changed a few times throughout its life. Originally just identified as the AFSC component, in March 1989 it was given the designation 6515th Test Squadron. In October 1989, the new Chief of Staff of the Air Force decreed that all 4-digit unit designations be abolished, and the 6515th became the 415th Flight Test Squadron, assuming the heritage of the 415th Bomb Squadron. The parent wing, the 6510th Test Wing, became the 412th Test Wing. In 1994, F-15 flight test at Edwards had diminished and the 415th was absorbed into the 445th Test Squadron. Testing the A/A37 Aerial Gunnery Target System (carried by F-4E 66-0368), 1980 On static display for some VIP visitors, April 1983. Flying a bombing proficiency mission, July 1984. Most 6510TW aircraft were given "ED" tail codes in early 1984. Testing the new -229 variant of the F100 engine, April 1988. A single -229 was installed in the left engine bay and -100 in the right. On the F-15 CTF ramp in February 1989. Thanks for looking, Sven
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Some images of Full Scale Development F-16A 75-0750 Advanced Fighter technology Integration test bed. During display at three Edwards AFB Open House. October 1982 Stores separation camera housing beneath the rear fuselage. October 1984 - sensor pods added at the wing roots. October 1991 - Ejection seat upgrade and IRST added between the radome and cockpit. Thanks for looking, Sven
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McDonnell-Douglas (McAir) and the Naval Aviation Test Center (NATC) deployed to the Edwards AFB to conduct stability and control flight test near Rogers Dry Lake. While a relatively rare occurrence, it was possible that engines might "flameout" due to compressor stall as a result of high angle of attack and/or yaw disturbing the airflow into the intakes. The Edwards airspace had four test areas designated within flameout landing distance of the local dry lake beds (Rogers or Rosamond) should the need arise for an emergency landing. While the "spin areas" might also be within flameout landing distance of the Edwards 'hard' runway (R22/04) The lakebed landing areas allowed greater tolerances for approach and landing. Images from from four safety chase missions All are fitted with a spin recovery parachute assembly on the tail... 7 May 1984 - On this mission, the jet has mounting pads for cameras above the wing roots, just inboard of the flaps. 8 Jun 1984 - Cameras installed on the mounting plates. Confirmed that the cameras are facing aft to record a planned deployment of the spin chute. Note the loads distribution strap running along the aft fuselage from the spin chute assembly to the wing root... 13 Aug 1984 - Cameras and mounting plates removed. Lower light grey areas repainted white? Previously camouflaged upper wing areas now painted white. 19 Jan 1985 - The orange-red and white scheme is to aid determining aircraft attitude by ground based optical trackers. Note the stripe on the lower right wing. An image of the AV-8B spin chute assembly taken at the 1884 Edwards Open House: Thanks for looking, Sven
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F-16Cs 83-1143 and 88-0445, 6516th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. Ready to taxi out for a radar test mission. '445 is the test jet and carries a centerline pod containing high-speed radar data recording equipment - the orange stripe indicates the pod carried unique test equipment. While '143 was a test jet in its own right, on this mission it is being used as a radar target for '445. General Dynamics crews and maintenance personnel were part of the F-16 Combined Test Force at Edwards (part of the "Combined" unit monicker) - and they still are today as Lockheed Martin Fort Worth. The F-16 test fleet was split between General Dynamics and USAF maintenance teams, '143 and'445 were GD maintained jets at this time. The pilots are USAF assigned to the 6516th Test Squadron. The Israeli jet (301, USAF s/n 86-1598) in the background was testing the Peace Marble II (Block 30) configuration for that Foreign Military Sales program. Cockpit checks. GD crew chief on the intercom. Engine start. Chocks away. '445 crew chief signaling brakes/hold. '143 crew chief signaling begin taxi. Brakes checked and out of the parking spot. The crew chief has done the check for leaks and gives the thumbs up. Thanks for looking, Sven
