Testing
85th TES F-15C fires first IRST-cued AMRAAM
The USAF’s 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida, has conducted the first-ever live fire of an AIM-120 AMRAAM from a Boeing F-15C Eagle using an IRST system
NF-16D VISTA becomes X-62A to support new mission
Officials from the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, California, announced on July 30 that the USAF’s Lockheed Martin NF-16D Variable In-flight Simulator Aircraft (VISTA) had been formally redesignated as the X-62A from June 14
Skyborg completes test flight aboard MQ-20 Avenger
The USAF's Skyborg artificial 'brain' flew inside a stealthy, jet-powered UAV for the first time in late June, during a test flight which advanced the drone control system's air-to-air capability, as we explain
F-35As conduct acoustic and emissions testing at RAF Lakenheath
Two USAF-operated Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs from the Vermont ANG – which recently arrived in the UK – are being used to prepare RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, for the arrival of its first fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters
US completes second live fire AIM-120D-3 missile test
The AMRAAM joint program office has completed the second live fire test of the new AIM-120D-3 variant of the missile family, which incorporated upgraded hardware in its guidance section
Jolly Green II completes developmental testing
The USAF’s new combat search and rescue helicopter, the Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II, has completed its developmental test programme at Eglin AFB in Florida
US Navy Poseidon tests RFCM prototype
A US Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20) Boeing P-8A Poseidon has successfully completed an airworthiness test of a pod-mounted radio frequency countermeasure prototype at the NAWCAD Atlantic Test Ranges
Korean KF-16 undergoes upgrade testing at Edwards AFB
As part of the Korea F-16 Update Program, a Lockheed Martin KF-16D Block 52N Fighting Falcon from the Republic of Korea Air Force is being used as a trials aircraft at Edwards AFB in California
XQ-58A Valkyrie completes first payload release test
During the sixth flight test of the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie, the US Air Force Research Laboratory successfully completed the first payload release from the UCAV’s internal weapons bay
GAO recommends CH-53K production cap until testing is complete
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended that the US Navy caps the production of Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopters to six aircraft per year until the platform completes initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E)