On This Day in Test History

May 15, 2021
May 15, 1969: The 6514th Test Squadron Was Created and Assigned to the 6512th Test Group

The 6514th Test Squadron was created and assigned to the 6512th Test Group. The new squadron was the result of an effort to consolidate all Air Force unmanned aircraft (drone) development, procurement, testing and support activities into one organization. These included the Air Force Materiel
May 14, 2021
May 14, 1953: The Braking System of the Experimental High Speed Track Successfully Recovered a 2500 Pound Test Sled

The braking system of the 10,000 foot Experimental High Speed Track successfully recovered a 2500 pound. Test sled from a velocity of Mach 1.03 (816 miles per hour), thereby increasing the capability of the new test facility to that level. The track was used for testing aircraft ejection seats,
May 13, 2021
May 13, 2009: Scenes From Iron Man II Starring Robert Downey, Jr. Were Filmed at Edwards AF

Scenes from Iron Man II starring Robert Downey, Jr. were filmed at Edwards AFB, with about 60 members of Team Edwards taking part as extras and technical advisors.Iron Man 2 is a 2010 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Iron Man. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed
May 12, 2021
May 12, 2011: The Air Force Announced Civilian Hiring Controls to Reduce Projected Growth in the Civilian Workforce

The Air Force announced civilian hiring controls to reduce projected growth in the civilian workforce, a result of Secretary of Defense Robert Gate’s initiative to maintain civilian manning at fiscal 2010 levels. Effective immediately, one person would be hired for every two new vacancies in areas
May 11, 2021
May 11, 1970: A C-5A Began Bare Soil Landing Tests at Harpers Dry Lake

A C-5A began bare soil landing tests at Harpers Dry Lake. The AFFTC had leased the dry lake for the test program. At a weight of 470,000 pounds the transport left ruts only two inches deep on the lake surface.A mathematical model to predict sinkage and the resulting loads for aircraft wheels
May 10, 2021
May 10, 1985: The First Preliminary Combat Talon II C-130 Test Flight was Conducted

The first preliminary Combat Talon II C-130 test flight was conducted. The aim of the CT-II program was to equip several C-130s with Night Hawk avionics to enable them to carry out worldwide special and unconventional air warfare operations at night or in adverse weather.MissionThe MC-130H Combat
May 9, 2021
May 9, 2000: RQ-4A Global Hawk Took Part in its First Linked Seas Exercise

The RQ-4A Global Hawk took part in its first Linked Seas Exercise, flying from Eglin AFB, Florida, to Portugal and back during the course of a 28-hour sortie. A second mission, lasting 14.1 hours, was completed on 11-12 May 2000.Linked Seas, an exercise held every three years, focuses on NATO's
May 8, 2021
May 8, 1997: A Sound Crew Began a Three-Day Effort to Record Various Aircraft Sounds for an Adventure Movie, “Air Force One”

A crew from the Sound Deluxe Corporation began a three-day effort to record various aircraft sounds for an adventure movie, “Air Force One.”Air Force One is one great ride. What makes it work so well is the conviction that Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman bring to their roles. You can see in each
May 7, 2021
May 7, 1946: Jet Propulsion Laboratory Launched Models of the Corporal E Missile

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) launched 1/5 scale models of the Corporal E missile from its facility at the northern edge of Rogers Dry Lake. The scaled-down test models were fired from an upright rail structure to demonstrate the possibility of zero-speed vertical launch with no jet vanes. The
May 6, 2021
May 6, 2010: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center Deployed Its Instrumented Research Aircraft, Earth Resources-2

As part of the national response to the Deepwater Horizon British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center deployed its instrumented research aircraft, Earth Resources-2 (ER-2) to the Gulf at the request of the

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