March 3, 2017 This week in Edwards flight test history 27 Feb 1958 at Edwards - A test team began a series of performance, stability and control flight tests of the Lockheed CL-329 JetStar, a small, high-speed utility transport. The prototype aircraft was configured with two Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engines. (Edwards History Office file photo)
Sept. 15, 2016 This week in Edwards flight test history On Sep. 13, 1985, at Edwards, then Maj. Wilbert D. “Doug” Pearson zoom-climbed a specially-configured F-15A to 38,000 feet and launched a Vought ASM-135A anti-satellite missile against an orbiting Solwind P78-1 satellite. The missile’s miniature kinetic-kill vehicle intercepted and destroyed the
Oct. 20, 2016 This week in Edwards flight test history On Oct. 20, 1956, actor William Holden and other Hollywood personalities attended the grand opening of the new base theater and viewed a screening of “Toward the Unknown,” which had been filmed on the base. This marked the official opening of the new base theater.
Nov. 3, 2016 This week in Edwards flight test history On Nov. 3, 1966, the North American XB-70 Valkyrie flights resumed as aircraft No. 1 made the first of nine flights in support of the National Sonic Boom Program. This was a joint NASA/U.S. Air Force research program, which concluded Jan. 31, 1967.
Nov. 10, 2016 This week in Edwards flight test history On Nov. 7, 2000, the Lockheed Martin X-35A accomplished its first aerial refueling. During its 10th flight, the Joint Strike Fighter demonstrator completed four refueling evolutions from a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at 23,000 feet and verified its compatibility with the tanker’s flow-field wake and
Oct. 27, 2016 This week in Edwards flight test history On Oct. 24, 1968, at Edwards - The X-15 made its final flight, piloted by Bill Dana. In 199 flights, the hypersonic aircraft completed one of the most successful space and atmospheric research programs to date.
Aug. 25, 2016 This week in Edwards flight test history On Aug. 26, 1975 the McDonnell Douglas YC-15 flew from Long Beach, California, to Edwards on its first flight. The high-wing, four-engine aircraft utilized an innovative externally blown flap, propulsive-lift concept. It was the McDonnell Douglas entry into the Air Force’s Advanced Medium STOL
March 30, 2017 This Week in Edwards Flight Test History On March 28, 1983, the director of the F-15 Combined Test Force, Lt. Col. John M. Hoffman, flew the first of 27 high-angle-of attack-test flights on an F-15C with the test nose boom removed. This series proved that troublesome flight anomalies that had appeared on the F-15C had been caused by the
April 6, 2017 This week in Edwards flight test history On April 5, 1947, the second prototype of the Hughes XF-11 twin-boom reconnaissance aircraft made its first complete flight (takeoff and safe landing), piloted by Howard Hughes.
May 25, 2017 This week in Edwards flight test history On May 25, 1999, the F-117 test force completed the Single Configuration Fleet program. The SCF provided a uniform radar absorbing material coating for the entire F-117 fleet, significantly reducing costs and maintenance hours.