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Edwards AFB breaks ground on new Flight Test Engineering Laboratory

  • Published
  • By Adam Bowles
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Edwards Air Force Base broke ground on the new 75,000 sq. ft. Flight Test Engineering Laboratory Oct. 19 during a ceremony hosted by the 412th Test Engineering Group.

The $40 million, state-of-the-art, energy efficient building will provide a modern facility with lab capabilities to support and develop new methodologies and equipment critical for testing cutting edge weapons systems. The FTEL builds on Edwards AFB’s almost 80-plus year history of pushing boundaries and innovation to deliver best value solutions to customers that meet their fiscal and schedule constraints.

"This facility is going to be critical to helping us execute our mission particularly as we move forward into the future and our mission evolves," Dr. Paul Waters, Director, 412th Test Engineering Group explained. "This mission is absolutely critical to the National Defense Strategy. It's about getting knowledge into the hands of decision makers faster so that we can accelerate getting weapons fielded."

The FTEL is an example of Edwards AFB’s partnership with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District Construction Division, Office of Congressman Kevin McCarthy, The Korte Company, and Michael Baker International to accelerate change within the United States Air Force at the start of the developmental testing cycle.

This facility will house the 412th Test Engineering Group (TENG) management, engineers, support personnel, labs, and technical library in a flexible, energy-efficient, modern facility that ensures flight test activities are effectively supported now and in the future.  A new flexible facility will allow TENG to rapidly upgrade/modify labs to keep up with the increasing pace of changing technology and agile software updates. 

“Today marks a milestone, measured in decades, for the dedicated engineers of the 412th Test Wing, past and present,” Jason Bostjancic, Deputy Director, 412th Test Engineering Group said.

The FTEL will enable rapid development for future platforms and improve testing of current weapon systems that will enhance multi-domain operations in ways physical testing cannot achieve. Also, this facility will provide a secure environment to protect the information that is being gathered about the systems being tested on. 

The contractual period of performance for construction is 700 days. The projected initial operational capability is scheduled to be begin in 2025. 

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.