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Digital Test and Training Range Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys
  • Air Force Test Center Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The 412th Electronic Warfare Group, 445th Test Squadron, celebrated the opening of the Digital Test and Training Range facility enabled by the Joint Simulation Environment during a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 8. The $34.4 million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility located on Edwards Air Force Base, California, will provide high-end modeling and simulation capabilities for the United States Air Force.

Several distinguished guests were in attendance, including:

  • U.S. Congressman Mike Garcia, California 27th District
  • Jake Lopez, Representative for U.S. Congressman Kevin McCarthy
  • Dominic Heiden, Representative for California 12th District Senator, Shannon Grove
  • Brandon Roque, Representative for California 21st District Senator, Scott Wilk

The Air Force Test Center is the lead Air Force partner supporting Air Force Test and Evaluation, Air Force Training and Readiness, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and the Department of the Navy executing the Joint Simulation Environment as a cross-service, government-owned, enterprise solution to develop a virtual battlespace environment.

The DTTR is specifically designed to meet the unique and complex needs of the Joint Simulation Environment. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the facility enables Edwards' skilled test professionals to work more effectively and efficiently than ever.

“I am grateful to the countless individuals, including leadership from the 412th Test Wing and the Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB, who have worked tirelessly to advance this state-of-the-art facility,” said McCarthy. “This will serve as an invaluable resource to help test weapons systems in realistic environments and better prepare for future missions. Because of these unwavering efforts, our nation’s Air Force will be stronger and better equipped to handle the challenges ahead.” 

This DTTR instantiates the first-of-its-kind USAF JSE Supersite and will pave the way toward digital transformation for experimentation, development, testing, and high-end advanced training of 5th-generation and other advanced weapon systems.

The Air Force rapidly established two DTTR facilities – the first at Edwards AFB, closely followed by a second at Nellis AFB, Nevada, within the following year. Both facilities are enabled by the architecture developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Naval Air Systems Command, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and their outstanding continuing partnership between the USAF and USN.

The DTTR represents a robust digital synthetic environment for developing 5th and 6th Gen platforms and their advanced weapon systems using the principles of digital engineering.

This facility will allow the Test and Evaluation enterprise to execute complex testing and high-end training events in a virtual environment that can replicate high densities of model-based systems in a closed, secured environment without the traditional limitations of an Open-Air Range.

The facility can execute high-tempo training and mission rehearsal events and provide high-density, multi-threat scenarios in air, land, sea, and soon space and cyber environments. The mission 445 TS will begin performing at the DTTR and will revolutionize test and training across the electromagnetic spectrum for multi-domain, multi-platform, system-of-systems scenarios. As well as influence the early developmental stages of weapon systems using realistic models in a government-owned, low-cost, and low-risk environment.

"Beyond simply its functional characteristics, this new facility represents a tangible expression of our organization's values and mission," said Lt. Col. James Petersen, 445 TS Commander. "It is a statement that reinforces our commitment to excellence, innovation, and service to our nation. And more than that, it represents an investment in the future of the United States Air Force."

For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys, Air Force Test Center NCOIC of Media Operations for AFTC, at 661-275-2468 or robert.cloys@us.af.mil.

Slide show

Digital Test and Training Range Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys
  • Air Force Test Center Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The 412th Electronic Warfare Group, 445th Test Squadron, celebrated the opening of the Digital Test and Training Range facility enabled by the Joint Simulation Environment during a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 8. The $34.4 million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility located on Edwards Air Force Base, California, will provide high-end modeling and simulation capabilities for the United States Air Force.

Several distinguished guests were in attendance, including:

  • U.S. Congressman Mike Garcia, California 27th District
  • Jake Lopez, Representative for U.S. Congressman Kevin McCarthy
  • Dominic Heiden, Representative for California 12th District Senator, Shannon Grove
  • Brandon Roque, Representative for California 21st District Senator, Scott Wilk

The Air Force Test Center is the lead Air Force partner supporting Air Force Test and Evaluation, Air Force Training and Readiness, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and the Department of the Navy executing the Joint Simulation Environment as a cross-service, government-owned, enterprise solution to develop a virtual battlespace environment.

The DTTR is specifically designed to meet the unique and complex needs of the Joint Simulation Environment. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the facility enables Edwards' skilled test professionals to work more effectively and efficiently than ever.

“I am grateful to the countless individuals, including leadership from the 412th Test Wing and the Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB, who have worked tirelessly to advance this state-of-the-art facility,” said McCarthy. “This will serve as an invaluable resource to help test weapons systems in realistic environments and better prepare for future missions. Because of these unwavering efforts, our nation’s Air Force will be stronger and better equipped to handle the challenges ahead.” 

This DTTR instantiates the first-of-its-kind USAF JSE Supersite and will pave the way toward digital transformation for experimentation, development, testing, and high-end advanced training of 5th-generation and other advanced weapon systems.

The Air Force rapidly established two DTTR facilities – the first at Edwards AFB, closely followed by a second at Nellis AFB, Nevada, within the following year. Both facilities are enabled by the architecture developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Naval Air Systems Command, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and their outstanding continuing partnership between the USAF and USN.

The DTTR represents a robust digital synthetic environment for developing 5th and 6th Gen platforms and their advanced weapon systems using the principles of digital engineering.

This facility will allow the Test and Evaluation enterprise to execute complex testing and high-end training events in a virtual environment that can replicate high densities of model-based systems in a closed, secured environment without the traditional limitations of an Open-Air Range.

The facility can execute high-tempo training and mission rehearsal events and provide high-density, multi-threat scenarios in air, land, sea, and soon space and cyber environments. The mission 445 TS will begin performing at the DTTR and will revolutionize test and training across the electromagnetic spectrum for multi-domain, multi-platform, system-of-systems scenarios. As well as influence the early developmental stages of weapon systems using realistic models in a government-owned, low-cost, and low-risk environment.

"Beyond simply its functional characteristics, this new facility represents a tangible expression of our organization's values and mission," said Lt. Col. James Petersen, 445 TS Commander. "It is a statement that reinforces our commitment to excellence, innovation, and service to our nation. And more than that, it represents an investment in the future of the United States Air Force."

For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys, Air Force Test Center NCOIC of Media Operations for AFTC, at 661-275-2468 or robert.cloys@us.af.mil.

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.