Aug. 2, 2022 MQ-9 showcases capabilities to Joint Force during first-time Valiant Shield participation The 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron recently validated the MQ-9 Reaper’s agility and proved mission relevance to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Joint Force through their participation in the Valiant Shield exercise.
Aug. 1, 2022 59 TES Pilot reaches 4000-hour milestone in the F-16 Lt. Col. Kevin “Mongo” Jens, 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron F-16 Test Director, achieved 4,000 hours in the F-16 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 8, 2022. Jens’ military flight time totals close to 5,000 hours, which includes active duty combat time in the A-10 prior to his transition to
July 27, 2022 B-52 OT, WPS, and Ops squadrons collaborate during Test and Weapons School Roadshow at Minot AFB The 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron recently integrated with the 340th Weapons Squadron, 69th Bomb Squadron, and 23rd Bomb Squadron during the B-52 Test and Weapons School Roadshow at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., July 5-8, 2022.
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.