May 17, 2021 For the Warfighter: Operational Test advances at NE21 As Northern Edge 21 concludes, the 53rd Wing is returning home having achieved major test objectives for multiple weapons systems May 3-14, 2021. In addition to F-15EX deep end testing and B-52 long-range kill chain milestones for hypersonic weapons, the 53d Wing’s F-35s, MQ-9s, F-15Cs and F-15Es,
May 11, 2021 Project Strike Rodeo: F-15E loaded with five JASSMs The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron completed a munitions proof-of-concept called Project Strike Rodeo, May 11, 2021, that validated loading five AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) on an F-15E Strike Eagle. This lays the foundation for follow-on flight testing that would more
May 6, 2021 B-52 Hypersonic Kill Chain Employment Success A B-52 Stratofortress from the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, conducted a successful simulated hypersonic kill chain employment from sensor to shooter and back during Northern Edge 21, May 5, 2021.
May 5, 2021 F-15EX takes to the Alaska skies for deep end test Just weeks after delivery to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the F-15EX – both 001 and 002 – have taken to the Alaska skies for Northern Edge 21, May 3-14, 2021.
April 27, 2021 F-15EX takes flight An F-15EX Eagle II from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, takes flight for the first time out of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 26, 2021, prior to departure for Northern Edge 2021. The F-15EX brings next-generation combat technology to a highly successful fighter airframe that is
April 20, 2021 53rd Wing welcomes F-15EX “002” The 53rd Wing welcomed the second F-15EX Eagle II to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 20, 2021. Flown in by Maj. Aaron Eshkenazi, F-15 pilot, the second F-15EX showcases the 53rd Wing’s traditional “OT” tail flash and is assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron.
April 14, 2021 F-15C records longest known missile shot The 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron partnered with the 83d Fighter Weapons Squadron to execute the longest known air-to-air missile shot to date during March 2021.
March 2, 2021 Strike Eagle proven capable of carrying 15 JDAMs on single sortie The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron successfully flew an F-15E Strike Eagle carrying six JDAMs on a single side of the aircraft on Feb 22, 2021, showcasing a proof of concept for Agile Combat Employment, known as “ACE.”
Dec. 27, 2020 The future of test: Black Flag General Mark D. Kelly signed COMACC Plan 21 on December 15, 2020, effectively formalizing the 53rd Wing’s Large Force Test Events into “Black Flag” – an event solely focused on test and tactics development in a realistic, massed force, fully integrated, high threat density environment. Established
Nov. 30, 2020 “As goes the 53rd Wing, so goes the Air Force” Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, and Chief Master Sgt. David Wade, ACC command chief, visited the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 23-24, 2020. Their visit with 53rd Wing Airmen showcased test, evaluation, and mission data reprogramming, highlighting the wing’s drive