This week in Edwards History Published June 1, 2017 412th Test Wing EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- 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)