Boeing B-52 With CONECT upgrade accomplishes first test flight Published Feb. 3, 2010 By Jennifer Hogan Boeing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Boeing announced Jan. 28 that a B-52H upgraded with new communication technology successfully accomplished its first test flight at Edwards Air Force Base on Jan. 17. The Combat Network Communications Technology upgrade allows B-52H crews to receive and send real-time digital information during their missions. The more than three-hour flight around the Edwards area included an initial system build-up test, interphone test and communication test. The test process included power-on of each system in flight to determine that there were no adverse effects on flight-essential systems. "Completion of the first test flight brings us one step closer to giving command centers and troops on the ground the ability to communicate with the B-52 through the military's digital information network," said Jim Kroening, Boeing B-52 Development Programs manager. "Augmenting current voice-based communication gives B-52 crews greater situational awareness and significantly enhanced mission capabilities." Prior to the first test flight, a robust testing approach was used, starting with unit and system testing in the laboratory, progressing to system ground test and then flight test. While this sounds easy and routine, Lt Col Rodney Todaro, commander of the 419th Flight Test Squadron pointed out that "our B-52 folks really pushed hard to make these first two sorties happen. They worked 14 straight days including two flights on Sundays to get the test accomplished. Our responsible engineers worked 21 straight days. Our maintainers overcame a lot of hurdles to get the jet airborne and worked 16 hour days to make it happen. The bottom line is we've got useful information and data for the Systems Group about the CONECT system." "Completion of the first test flight brings us one step closer to giving command centers and troops on the ground the ability to communicate with the B-52 through the military's digital information network," said Jim Kroening, Boeing B-52 Development Programs manager. "Augmenting current voice-based communication gives B-52 crews greater situational awareness and significantly enhanced mission capabilities." B-52 Projects flight commander, Maj. Sean Celi said: "We accomplished communications and data link testing. It was also a first look at one of the modes of data transfer between a ground terminal and the aircraft. We also tested the integration of the CONECT system with the B-52's avionics. Overall, this new capability will enhance the aircrew's situational awareness of the battle space and will further integrate the B-52 into the existing and future command and control structure. " Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have accomplished more than 220 ground test points out of about 500. Ground and flight test will continue through February. The aircraft will then rotate through its planned depot maintenance at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and resume ground and flight test in January 2011 at Edwards.