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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

  • 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
  • Fort Meade

    Air Force conducts live-fire test for Collaborative Combat Aircraft program
  • USAF Test Pilot School Class 25B students pose for a portrait following their graduation at Edwards Air Force Base, June 5. The graduating class includes USAF Airmen, USSF Guardians and exchange students representing the Royal Air Force and Hellenic Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lindsey Iniguez)

    USAF Test Pilot School class 25B marks newest group of test leaders

  • Airmen of the Blue Eagles Honor Guard, on behalf of “Torch 11” family members, prepare to attach wreaths to easels holding the images of the fallen B-52 aircrew. More than 1,000 people, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Wolfe, gathered in an Edwards aircraft hanger June 29 to celebrate the lives of Col. Gregory “Evil” Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel “Journee” Estrella, retired Lt. Col. Miles “Vicky” Middleton, Maj. Alexander “SMO” Davis, Maj. Robert “Bolton” Dee, Maj. Brad “Slate” Hovey, Jeromy “Bobby” Smith and Christopher “Hustler” Rischar. (Air Force photo by Lindsey Gordon).

    Air Force honors B-52 crew during memorial service at Edwards AFB

AEDC - NEWS

  • David Pickering (U.S. Air Force photo)

    AEDC Fellow David Pickering remembered for contributions to the Complex
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Grigsby, right, assumes command of the 746th Test Squadron from U.S. Air Force Col. Wayne Dirkes, then-704th Test Group commander and current Arnold Engineering Development Complex commander, during a change of command ceremony at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, June 10, 2026. The passing of the guidon symbolizes the formal transfer of authority, responsibility and accountability from one commander to another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jose Veras)

    Grigsby takes command of 746th Test Squadron
  • Lt. Col. Samuel Wright III, right, takes the guidon from then-704th Test Group commander and current Arnold Engineering Development Complex Commander Col. Wayne Dirkes to assume command of the 586th Flight Test Squadron during a June 9, 2026, Change of Command ceremony at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Wright brings to his latest assignment more than 2,800 military flight hours as a development test pilot and evaluator pilot in more than 30 aircraft types. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    Wright assumes leadership of 586th Flight Test Squadron

  • A J-47 engine is prepared for open-air testing prior to being test fired on Aug. 27, 1953. This instrumentation test, which occurred near the then-under-construction Engine Test Facility at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., was conducted using a specially designed and constructed thrust stand. The first turbojet engine test conducted at Arnold was initiated on May 3, 1954, in the T-1 test cell of the ETF on a J-47 engine. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    AEDC at 75: The First Engine Test That Confirmed AEDC’s Mission
  • The team of Arnold Engineering Development Complex professionals who recently traveled to Turgi, Switzerland, pose for a photo. During their visit, the team completed factory acceptance testing and training for the Engine Test Facility Plant Variable Frequency Starter System. Pictured left to right, are Rocco Simeri, Kenneth Taylor, Albert Velazquez, Travis Smith, ABB lead trainer Razvan Coman, John Bearden, James Rogers, and Zachary Grosch. (Courtesy photo)

    AEDC Team Complete Factory Testing and Training in Switzerland

Eglin - news

  • An Airman connects resistors to a circuit board with Airmen in the background working on circuit board projects.

    Emerald Spark Cell empowers problem-solvers
  • Notional representation of future data environment.

    Eglin launches interactive digital bulletin board
  • Future Flights

    Futures Flight builds own autonomous aerial system
  • VENOM flight

    VENOM program progresses to piloted flights, autonomy tests
  • two military members look at an aircraft's front wheel hatch doors at the same time

    F-15E to EX: the 909th ARS refuels the future

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