July 18, 2022 53rd Wing completes first live-fire test event for AIM-120D3 F3R program The 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron executed the first-ever guided launch of the AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Form, Fit, Function, Refresh (F3R) from an F-15E Strike Eagle, successfully engaging a QF-16 full-scale aerial target, June 30,
July 8, 2022 B-2 executes new nuclear tactic in B61-12 JTA capstone test A B-2A Spirit stealth bomber released a B61-12 Joint Test Assembly utilizing a new capability known as Radar Aided Targeting System during a capstone test at the Tonopah Test Range, June 14, 2022.
June 23, 2022 New BLOS capability on the horizon for B-52s, first IRIS air demo complete A new beyond line of sight communication system underwent an aerial demonstration on a B-52, June 22, 2022.
June 22, 2022 Introducing COMBAT AXE: the newest BMC2-focused Weapons System Evaluation Program In an effort to align with the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr.’s Accelerate Change or Lose strategic approach, the 53rd Wing has developed a new branch of the Weapons System Evaluation Program focusing solely on Battle Management Command and Control. The new WSEP branch is known
May 27, 2022 The Synthetic Environment: New Mindset and Mission for the 29 TSS The Air Force and the Warfighter are approaching a revolution in military affairs where the synthetic environment will become more of a foundation to readiness than live-fly sorties. The data to support that claim is readily apparent and is the driving force behind the Chief of Staff’s Operational
May 20, 2022 Codifying Night One Integration; Coalition Black Flag introduces RAAF E-7, long-range kill-chains solutions, and first-ever mobile C2 element The 53rd Wing conducted Black Flag 22-1, bringing together four branches of the U.S. military and the Royal Australian Air Force in a first-time coalition test environment to identify enhancements to night-one capabilities, May 9-13, 2022.
May 6, 2022 A-10C munitions render Explosive Reactive Armored tanks inoperative during test The 422nd and 59th Test and Evaluation Squadrons proved that modern-day armored vehicles equipped with Explosive Reactive Armor are vulnerable to the A-10C Thunderbolt II’s GAU-8 Avenger. This first-ever test was conducted at the Nevada Test and Training Range, February 14-25, 2022.
May 3, 2022 53rd Wing executes combined WSEP integrating COMBAT HAMMER, ARCHER, and SHIELD The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group conducted the largest maritime Weapons System Evaluation Program April 7-15, 2022. This WSEP iteration included COMBAT ARCHER, COMBAT HAMMER, and COMBAT SHIELD where squadrons were evaluated on their ability to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground operations along
April 28, 2022 AFRL technology makes new weapon for sinking ships a reality The Air Force Research Laboratory and Eglin’s Integrated Test Team demonstrated a new low-cost, air-delivered capability for defeating maritime threats April 28, 2022, that successfully destroyed a full-scale stationary surface vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.
April 19, 2022 Integrated Test Team proves multi-MDS Legion pod targeting capabilities Eglin’s Integrated Test Team conducted the first-ever multi-platform operational test to effectively locate a target using shared Infra-Red Search and Track sensor data, Apr. 7, 2022.