July 3, 2018 This week in Edwards history On July 4, 1982, Space Shuttle Columbia landed in view of President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan and some 500,000 visitors and guests. The shuttle’s fourth orbital flight was its first landing on a concrete runway and marked the end of its formal flight test program. Later that very same
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.
June 13, 2018 This week in Edwards history On June 13, 1962, a test team conducted the first flights of Project Rough Road, an evaluation of the short-field takeoff and landing capabilities of the production C-130B. Test aircraft were loaded to a gross weight of 101,000 lbs and subjected to a variety of hard and soft sand and clay runways.
May 16, 2018 This week in Edwards history On May 17, 1946, the highly innovative XB-43 Jetmaster made its first flight with Douglas test pilot Bob Brush at the controls. The XB-43 was the nation’s first prototype jet bomber. Captured at a later date, this Edwards History Office file photo shows the XB-43 sharing the Edwards ramp with two
May 31, 2018 This week in Edwards history One June 1, 1951, Air Force aeromedical researcher Maj. John Stapp was strapped into a rocket sled that was poised on a 2,000 foot deceleration track at North Base. Moments later, 4,000 pounds of rocket thrust blasted him down the track and into the braking system (from 88.6 mph to a full stop in 18
May 24, 2018 This week in Edwards history On May 26, 1950, the Douglas XA2D-1 Skyshark, an experimental turboprop-powered version of the company’s AD-1 Skyraider, made its first flight, flown by George Jansen. The aircraft’s turboprop engine transmitted power to two large counterrotating three-bladed propellers through a complicated
Aug. 15, 2018 This week in Edwards history On Aug. 16, 1970, a Lockheed C-5A completed an unrefueled flight of 20 hours and 29 minutes. The lengthy flight, which began and ended at Edwards, covered much of the perimeter of the continental United States.
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
Sept. 28, 2017 This week in Edwards history On Sept. 25, 1974, Northrop’s F-5F made its first flight, piloted by Hank Chouteau. The F-5F was the two-seat trainer version of the company’s F-5E Tiger II and featured a completely new fuselage.
Aug. 24, 2017 This week in Edwards history On Aug. 23, 1991, the Flags of Honor memorial was dedicated to the men and women of Edwards AFB who had come together from every state in the nation to serve their country. This memorial was donated by the Edwards AFB Civilian-Military Affairs Support Group.