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Air Force Test Center Air Force Test Center Forging Our Nation's Sword and Shield

  • A T-7A Red Hawk departs Edwards Air Force Base on June 25, 2026, marking the first joint test sortie with both developmental and operational test aircrew aboard. The milestone positions the Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force at Edwards to begin combined developmental and operational test flights, ultimately accelerating capability for the warfighter. (Air Force photo by Christian Raterman) A T-7A Red Hawk departs Edwards Air Force Base on June 25, 2026, marking the first joint test sortie with both developmental and operational test aircrew aboard. The milestone positions the Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force at Edwards to begin combined developmental and operational test flights, ultimately accelerating capability for the warfighter. (Air Force photo by Christian Raterman)
    Early OT flying brings T-7A closer to operational use

    By Katherine C. Gandara
  • Future Flights Future Flights
    Futures Flight builds own autonomous aerial system

    By Samuel King Jr.
  • A YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft fires an AIM-120 weapon in secluded airspace over the Mojave Desert. The live-fire test of the YFQ-44 aircraft is the latest milestone in the rapid development of safe and effective CCA operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jennifer Healy) A YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft fires an AIM-120 weapon in secluded airspace over the Mojave Desert. The live-fire test of the YFQ-44 aircraft is the latest milestone in the rapid development of safe and effective CCA operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jennifer Healy)
    Air Force conducts live-fire test for Collaborative Combat Aircraft

    Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
  • A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II and F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, fly in formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, June 29, 2026. A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II and F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, fly in formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, June 29, 2026.
    F-15EX returns to Kadena, advances transition to next-generation airpower

    By Samuel King Jr.
  • A total of 30 Airmen and Guardians became the newest test leaders for the Department of the Air Force, in addition to two foreign exchange students representing the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and Greece’s Hellenic Air Force. A total of 30 Airmen and Guardians became the newest test leaders for the Department of the Air Force, in addition to two foreign exchange students representing the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and Greece’s Hellenic Air Force.
    USAF Test Pilot School class 25B marks newest group of test leaders

    Chase Kohler

   

Edwards - News

  • Rachel Kinard, Air Force Test Pilot School director of research, and Lt. Col. Philip Downing, 370th Flight Test Squadron commander, depart for a HAVE HEAT test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 16, 2026. Leveraging Lockheed Martin’s Infrared Search and Track Legion Pod, during the HAVE HEAT program, the X-62 VISTA platform demonstrated the ability of AI agents to ingest live infrared sensor data, directing the X-62 to autonomously intercept an airborne target in real time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lindsey Iniguez)

    X-62 VISTA sets precedents with Mission Systems Upgrades, aligns human researchers with AI development for the warfighter

  • Noah Benton of Titan Dynamics launches a rapidly produced sUAS during "Game of Drones" 26-2 at Edwards Air Force Base, California on June 16, 2026. Hosted by the 412th Test Wing’s Experimental Test Force, in collaboration with the Defense Contract Management Agency’s US-X unit, the event supports the Air Force Test Center’s mission to accelerate the evaluation of autonomous technologies through collaborative experimentation and rapid user feedback. These evaluations will help accelerate placement onto the sUAS Blue List, strengthening efforts to meet the Secretary of War’s Drone Dominance initiative. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)

    Newest sUAS technology demonstrated at Game of Drones 26-2
  • Robin Chan, SOAR member, puts up a decoration in the photo booth during the annual Light Up the Night event at Edwards Air Force Base, California, July 18. The event hosted by SOAR (Support, Outreach, Action and Resilience) featured a fun walk/bike ride through base housing to promote mental health awareness for teenagers. (Courtesy photo)

    Edwards teens "Light Up the Night"
  • The recipe to beat the heat is straightforward: hydrate early and often, seek out air conditioning, limit direct sun exposure, and look out for one another by checking on vulnerable coworkers, neighbors and family members. Those whose daily routines involve heavy outdoor exertion, should dial it back, reschedule workouts to the early morning hours or move activities indoors. (Courtesy photo)

    Edwards AFB prepares for five days of triple-digit heat

  • Maj. Kevin Ueunten, T-7A test director, AFOTEC Det 5, climbs into the cockpit of a T-7A Red Hawk at Edwards Air Force Base, CA on June 25, 2026. This marked the first joint test sortie with both developmental and operational test aircrew. The milestone positions the Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force at Edwards to begin combined developmental and operational test flights, ultimately accelerating capability for the warfighter. (Air Force photo by Christian Raterman)

    Early OT flying brings T-7A closer to operational use

AEDC - NEWS

  • Arnold Engineering Development Complex Commander Col. Wayne Dirkes works Aug. 3, 2026, in his office at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. Dirkes assumed command of AEDC on June 27, 2026. Arnold AFB is the headquarters of AEDC. (U.S. Air Force photo by Diamond Brown)

    Dirkes encourages Team AEDC to maintain forward-looking approach
  • Arnold Engineering Development Complex Fellows gather for a photo on the steps of the Administration and Engineering Building at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., during AEDC Fellows Day, Aug. 5, 2026. AEDC is headquartered at Arnold AFB. The AEDC Fellows program, established in 1989 and managed by the Arnold Community Council, recognizes AEDC personnel who have made substantial and exceptionally distinguished contributions to the nation’s aerospace ground testing capability. This year, Ryan Bond, Ph.D.; Chester Furlong; Sam Dougherty; Randy Nicholson and Johannes van Aken, Ph.D., were induced as AEDC Fellows. The newly selected Fellows were recognized during the AEDC 75th anniversary open house event held June 27 at Arnold AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh)

    AEDC Fellows assemble for Fellows Day at Arnold AFB
  • Col. L.E. Cox, engineer with the Tullahoma District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, left, prepares to turn the Arnold Engineering Development Center Engine Test Facility Exhaust Compressor Building over to then-AEDC Commander Brig. Gen. Samuel Harris, center, during a Nov. 30, 1953, ceremony at the Center. Harris then indorsed the building and equipment over to Thomas Farrell, managing director of Arnold Research Organization, right. ARO was the corporation established to maintain and operate AEDC. In the background is one of the six compressors contained within the Exhaust Compressor Building which, up to that point, was the largest single unit completed at AEDC. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    AEDC at 75: Air Force turns over compressor facility
  • Firefighters with Arnold Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services participate in live structure fire training April 15, 2026, at Arnold AFB, Tenn., headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex. Fire and Emergency Services is a requirement of the Facility Support Services III contract set to be awarded in summer 2027. AEDC personnel hosted companies interested in bidding on the contact during an Industry Day event, July 21-22 at the Arnold AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh) (This image was altered by obscuring badges for security purposes)

    Potential FSS III offerors get closer look at AEDC during Industry Day
  • Owen Baskin, a mechanical engineering student at Tennessee Technological University, is currently interning with Beyond New Horizons at Arnold Air Force Base, headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex. Baskin said the internship has allowed him to gain additional knowledge in his field of study while also learning about his family’s connection to the base that spans generations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Keith Thornburgh)

    From Grandfather to Grandson: Intern, Owen Baskin, discovers a document created by his grandfather over 60 years ago

Eglin - news

  • An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing performs a strafing run

    Eglin night flying operations
  • Daughter and Guardian pose in front of an award wall.

    Eglin Youth of the Year earns state semifinalist honors
  • A U.S. Airman fuels a YFQ-44A Fury aircraft. The refueling opening is on top of the aircraft and the Airman is using a stool to reach the location.

    Air Force tests Collaborative Combat Aircraft at Creech
  • A certified nurse midwife, and expectant mother share a moment with a service dog,

    Flexibility, tailored care plans help labor, delivery meet patient needs
  • An Airman connects resistors to a circuit board with Airmen in the background working on circuit board projects.

    Emerald Spark Cell empowers problem-solvers
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