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Test and Evaluation B-52 Orange Tail

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress with a special orange paint scheme flies to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 30, 2024. A heritage orange test and evaluation paint scheme represents a rich history of substantial advancements and progress in the B-52’s lifecycle. (Courtesy Photo)

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X-1 in flight

The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1-1 (#46-062) in flight. The shock wave pattern in the exhaust plume is visible. The X-1 series aircraft were air-launched from a modified Boeing B-29 or a B-50 Superfortress bombers. The X-1-1 was painted a bright orange by Bell Aircraft. It was thought that the aircraft would be more visable to those doing the tracking during a flight. When NACA received the airplanes they were painted white, which was an easier color to find in the skies over Muroc Air Field in California. This particular craft was nicknamed "Glamorous Glennis" by Chuck Yeager in honor of his wife, and is now on permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. There were five versions of the Bell X-1 rocket-powered research aircraft that flew at the NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station, Edwards, California. The bullet-shaped X-1 aircraft were built by Bell Aircraft Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y. for the U.S. Army Air Forces (after 1947, U.S. Air Force) and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The X-1 Program was originally designated the XS-1 for EXperimental Sonic. The X-1's mission was to investigate the transonic speed range (speeds from just below to just above the speed of sound) and, if possible, to break the "sound barrier." Three different X-1s were built and designated: X-1-1, X-1-2 (later modified to become the X-1E), and X-1-3. The basic X-1 aircraft were flown by a large number of different pilots from 1946 to 1951. The X-1 Program not only proved that humans could go beyond the speed of sound, it reinforced the understanding that technological barriers could be overcome. The X-1s pioneered many structural and aerodynamic advances including extremely thin, yet extremely strong wing sections; supersonic fuselage configurations; control system requirements; powerplant compatibility; and cockpit environments. The X-1 aircraft were the first transonic-capable aircraft to use an all-moving

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Test and Evaluation B-52 Orange Tail Landing

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress with a special orange paint scheme begins to slow down after landing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 30, 2024. The test orange scheme was used to remind everyone of the B-52’s incredible journey and continuous progress made in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)

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Test and Evaluation B-52 Orange Tail Landing

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 49th Test Evaluation Squadron and the 53rd Wing gather beside a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress with an orange paint scheme at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Sept. 30, 2024. The orange paint scheme was used as a reminder to the B-52’s long standing power and presence in the U.S. Air Force since the 1950s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Hill)

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BE 24-3 C2 Operations

U.S. Airmen look out at the Las Vegas skyline after testing and fielding command and control equipment during Bamboo Eagle 24-3 on a C-130 assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB), at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Aug. 6, 2024. Bamboo Eagle is a USAF Warfare Center-led joint exercise that marks reoptimization for Great Power Competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josey Blades)

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BE 24-3 C2 Operations

U.S. Airmen and contractors test and field equipment to accomplish command and control (C2) functions during Bamboo Eagle 24-3 on a C-130 assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB), taking off from Nellis AFB, Nevada, Aug. 6, 2024. Airmen on this aircraft provided Red Air C2 operations during Bamboo Eagle 24-3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josey Blades)

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BE 24-3 C2 Operations

U.S. Airmen and contractors set up test command and control equipment before takeoff during Bamboo Eagle 24-3 on a C-130 assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) taking off from Nellis AFB, Nevada, Aug. 6, 2024. Bamboo Eagle is a USAF Warfare Center-led joint exercise that marks reoptimization for Great Power Competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josey Blades)

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USAFWC leaders visit Eglin AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher Niemi, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, speaks to members of the 53rd Wing during an all-call at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, August 27, 2024. The 53rd Wing is committed to providing tactical advantage to the warfighter at the speed of relevance. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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USAFWC leaders visit Eglin AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher Niemi, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, speaks with airmen assigned to the 96th Maintenance Group before watching a live cockpit demonstration of a long-range kill chain solution at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, August 27, 2024. The 53rd Wing is committed to providing tactical advantage to the warfighter at the speed of relevance. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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USAFWC leaders visit Eglin AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher Niemi, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, watches a live cockpit demonstration of a long-range kill chain solution led by Lt. Col. Matthew Russel, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron Director of Operations, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, August 27, 2024. The 53rd Wing is committed to providing tactical advantage to the warfighter at the speed of relevance. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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F-15 human performance

Lt. Col. Matthew Russel, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron Director of Operations, performs a spirometry respiratory test to check how narrow the airways in his lungs are after a long duration sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, August 8, 2024. The human performance testing focused on analyzing the effects of long duration flights on aircrew performance, gathering real-time data directly from pilots before, during and after flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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F-15 human performance

Lt. Col. Matthew Russel, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron Director of Operations, conducts an eye-tracking assessment to collect data for human performance testing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, August 8, 2024. The testing focused on analyzing the effects of long duration flights on aircrew performance, gathering real-time data directly from pilots before, during and after flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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F-15 human performance

Inflight physiologic monitoring systems light up and prepare to collect physiological data in flight with the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, August 6, 2024. The human performance testing focused on analyzing the effects of long duration flights on aircrew performance, gathering real-time data directly from pilots before, during and after flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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F-15 human performance

Lt. Col. Matthew Russel, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron Director of Operations, conducts an eye-tracking assessment to collect data for human performance testing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, August 8, 2024. The testing focused on analyzing the effects of long duration flights on aircrew performance, gathering real-time data directly from pilots before, during and after flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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240806-F-YO028-1121

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kyle Bone, Mission System Operator command manager, assigned to Air Mobility Command Headquarters, Scott Air Force Base (AFB), discusses command and control tactics, training and procedures with Air Battle Managers and Weapons Directors during Bamboo Eagle 24-3 at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Aug. 6, 2024. Airmen on this aircraft provided Red Air C2 operations during Bamboo Eagle 24-3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josey Blades)

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753rd Test and Evaluation Group change of command ceremony

U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Lehoski, left, the 53rd Wing commander, passes the guidon to Col. Benjamin Pancoast, the incoming 753rd Test and Evaluation Group (TEG) commander, during a change of command ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, July 30, 2024. The 753rd Test and Evaluation Group manages and oversees the testing, evaluation, and tactics development for various aircraft, weapons, and systems, ensuring their operational effectiveness across multiple Air Force bases. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo)

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53rd Weapons Evaluation Group change of command ceremony

U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Lehoski, left, the 53rd Wing commander, passes the guidon to Col. Scott Crowell, the incoming 53rd Test and Evaluation Group (TEG) commander, during a change of command ceremony at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, July 18, 2024. The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group manages and oversees the testing, evaluation, and tactics development for various aircraft, weapons, and systems, ensuring their operational effectiveness across multiple Air Force bases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Nordheim)

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240726-F-KO637-1159

U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Lehoski, left, the 53rd Wing commander, passes the guidon to Col. Joshua Biedermann, the incoming 53rd Test and Evaluation Group (TEG) commander, , during a change of command ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 26, 2024. The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group manages and oversees the testing, evaluation, and tactics development for various aircraft, weapons, and systems, ensuring their operational effectiveness across multiple Air Force bases. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brianna Vetro)

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Black Flag 24-1 concentrates on Joint Test Integration, setting the stage for Virtual Black Flag

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, assigned to the "Vampires" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine, is parked next to a U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II, assigned to the 53rd Wing, during exercise Black Flag 24-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2024. Black Flag is a two-week Operational Test-focused exercise that evaluates the suitability of emerging capabilities and tactics in multi-domain, multi-service, operationally relevant scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brianna Vetro)

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Black Flag 24-1 concentrates on Joint Test Integration, setting the stage for Virtual Black Flag

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, assigned to the "Vampires" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine, is parked next to a U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II, assigned to the 53rd Wing, during exercise Black Flag 24-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2024. Black Flag is a two-week Operational Test-focused exercise that evaluates the suitability of emerging capabilities and tactics in multi-domain, multi-service, operationally relevant scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brianna Vetro)

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