June 1, 2017 This week in Edwards History On May 30, 1972 the Northrop YA-9A Cobra specialized ground attack aircraft made its first flight, flown by company test pilot Lew Nelson. The aircraft subsequently lost the A-X competitive prototype fly-off against the A-10, and never went into production. (Edwards History Office file photos)
June 28, 2017 This week in Edwards history On June 30, 1969, the C-5A Test Force, composed of Air Force Flight Test Center and Military Airlift Command personnel, conducted the first Air Force Preliminary Evaluation flight of the C-5A.
July 11, 2017 This week in Edwards history On July 14, 2005, a Lockheed F-22 Raptor flown by the 411th Flight Test Squadron made its first Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) drop at supersonic speed. The 1,000-pound GBU-32 separation test vehicle separated successfully, marking a significant increase in the Raptor’s operational
Dec. 19, 2017 This week in Edwards history On Dec. 23, 1974, the Rockwell International B-1A Lancer made its first flight from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, landing at Edwards AFB. The aircraft commander was Rockwell test pilot and retired Air Force Col. Charles Bock, Jr. He was accompanied by Air Force pilot and B-1 Joint Test
Sept. 21, 2017 This week in Edwards history On Sept. 21, 1964, North American Rockwell’s XB-70 Valkyrie experimental aircraft made its first flight from Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, to Edwards. It was flown by North American test pilot Alvin S. White and Col. Joseph F. Cotton. Originally conceived as a strategic bomber with the ability
Jan. 23, 2018 This week in Edwards history On Jan. 27, 1950, a ceremony was held in connection with Armed Forces Day to rename the base in honor of Capt. Glen W. Edwards. Edwards’ father, family members and dignitaries were in attendance at the ceremony. One interesting fact is that the original plaque had a misspelling of Capt. Edwards'
Feb. 15, 2018 This week in Edwards history On Feb. 15, 1958, the first Convair B-58 Hustler (55-665) arrived at the Air Force Flight Test Center for Phase IV testing, concluding a combined delivery and test flight. The four-engine delta winged aircraft was the world’s first bomber designed to sustain supersonic speeds during its mission
Feb. 21, 2018 This week in Edwards history On Feb. 23, 1989, a two-seat F-16B Air Defense Fighter test aircraft successfully launched an AIM-7 Sparrow missile that destroyed a target drone off the California coast.
Jan. 9, 2018 This week in Edwards history On Jan. 9, 1943, the first flight of the Lockheed XC-69 took place from Burbank, California, to Muroc Army Airfield. It was piloted by company test pilots Edmund Allen and Milo Burcham. The four-engine, propeller-driven aircraft was designed by Kelly Johnson and developed from the Lockheed L-049
June 7, 2018 This week in Edwards history On June 6, 1959, the first ground test of Thiokol’s XLR-99 liquid fueled rocket engine for the X-15 took place at the Static Test Stand. Delivering 50,000 lbs of thrust at ground level, it was the most powerful and complex throttleable rocket propulsion system in the world.