Air Force Test Center

For more information visit www.aftc.af.mil. While this is an open forum, it's also a family friendly one. If you don't comply, your message will be removed.

The Air Force Test Center oversees 412TW, 96TW, & AEDC, advancing developmental test and evaluation of air, space, & cyber systems to provide timely, objective, & accurate information to decision makers. Please keep your comments and wall posts in good taste and follow our posting guidelines here. We will not allow: • Comments or submissions that contain vulgar, profane, hateful or abusive languag

e or images; personal attacks of any kind; or offensive terms that discriminate against specific ethnic, national or racial groups. • Comments that are spam, are clearly “off topic,” or that promote services or products. Comments should be limited to those relating to the U.S. Air Force. Comments that make unsupported accusations will not be permitted. • Posts specifically about political parties or individuals. This is not a political page – political rhetoric is not permitted. • Comments that promote or advertise a business or commercial transaction. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. • Comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity. • For Official Use Only (FOUO), classified, pre-decisional, proprietary or business-sensitive information to be posted on this page. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Finally, the appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense. For more information on joining the U.S. Air Force, please visit the recruiting website at http://www.airforce.com/ and page https://www.facebook.com/USAirForceRecruiting. Thank you for your participation and feel free to send us comments or suggestions on what you’d like to see or read about. For official information about the Air Force Test Center and its mission, please visit our homepage at www.aftc.af.mil.

08/20/2026

Tomorrow’s weapons require tomorrow’s test infrastructure.

Arnold Engineering Development Complex, in partnership with the Air Force Test Center, has established the AEDC Velocity Alliance, a new approach to accelerating the sustainment, restoration and modernization of critical aerospace ground test infrastructure.

Rather than waiting for an urgent requirement to begin finding qualified partners, the Alliance creates a pre-qualified network of traditional and nontraditional defense contractors, small businesses, nonprofits and research institutions ready to compete as modernization needs emerge.

That means faster access to industry expertise and a test enterprise better prepared for increasingly complex technologies, including hypersonic systems, advanced sensors and capabilities supporting the Long-Range Kill Chain.

Modernizing test infrastructure is ultimately about more than facilities. It helps ensure American innovation can be developed, tested and proven at the speed required to strengthen readiness, maintain our warfighting advantage and deliver capability to the warfighter.

🔗 Read more: https://www.aftc.af.mil/News/Article/4578802/aedc-velocity-alliance-advances-modernization-for-future-test-needs/

08/18/2026

It’s 1957. Eisenhower is president, tailfins are getting bigger, Sputnik hasn’t launched yet, and engineers at Arnold are strapping a steel-and-sponge-rubber dummy into an ejection seat and blasting it with wind at up to Mach 1.

For science, naturally.

During nine days of testing in June 1957, engineers at what was then Arnold Engineering Development Center conducted 33 test runs to learn how a pilot’s clothing and equipment would hold up to the extreme wind blast following an aircraft ejection.

Helmets, parachute harnesses, flight suits, zippers and other equipment were put to the test, sometimes with rather dramatic results.

Nearly 70 years later, the equipment has changed, but the mission behind the testing remains familiar: understand the limits, reduce risk and make flight safer for the people pushing those limits.

It’s all part of 75 years of test history at Arnold Engineering Development Complex.

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.aftc.af.mil/News/Article/4575299/aedc-at-75-early-test-evaluates-durability-of-pilot-clothing-equipment/

08/17/2026

The X-62 VISTA is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in autonomous flight.

During two accelerated test campaigns at Edwards Air Force Base, the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School demonstrated AI agents using live sensor data to autonomously direct the X-62 toward an airborne target, while simultaneously evaluating new technologies designed to make future autonomy testing faster, safer and more adaptable.

The work strengthens the X-62’s role as a national test asset and advances the Air Force Test Center mission to rapidly evaluate emerging technologies and deliver relevant capability to the warfighter.

The effort also reflects the national emphasis on maintaining America’s technological and military advantage through continued investment in AI, autonomous systems and advanced military technologies.

Read how HAVE HEAT, HAVE HOLIDAYS and upcoming mission systems upgrades are preparing VISTA for the next generation of testing:

🌐Read the full story: https://www.aftc.af.mil/News/Article/4563762/x-62-vista-sets-precedents-with-mission-systems-upgrades-aligns-human-researche/

08/03/2026

Recognition well earned👏

Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, Air Force Test Center commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Sevin Balkuvvar, AFTC command chief master sergeant, recognize Staff Sgt. Nicholas Walsh, 416th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, at Edwards Air Force Base, as an AFTC Spotlight Airman.

Selected by his unit to represent the professionals behind the mission, Walsh exemplifies the dedication and teamwork that drive the Test Center forward every day. His recognition is also a reflection of the Airmen alongside him who work together to deliver capability to the warfighter.

Congratulations again, Staff Sgt. Walsh, and thank you for representing your team and the AFTC enterprise!

07/30/2026

Behind every successful flight test is a team of professionals dedicated to delivering combat capability to the warfighter.

Meet Staff Sgt. Nicholas Walsh, 416th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons team chief, at Edwards Air Force Base, as he shares his story as the Air Force Test Center's latest Spotlight Airman and discusses the impact his team makes every day.

07/24/2026

THIS IS HOW YOU EXECUTE DRONE DOMINANCE. 🇺🇸

Game of Drones 26-2, a joint collaboration between the Experimental Test Force at Edwards and Defense Contract Management Agency's US-X, saw Airmen, soldiers, sailors and private industry come together to rapidly evaluate promising technologies for the warfighter. Expanding the Blue List is mission critical, and Team Edwards is helping drive the change, NOW.

🎥 Brandon Hernandez, Blaine Torres

07/22/2026

The T-7A Red Hawk is moving closer to preparing the next generation of Air Force aviators.

At Edwards Air Force Base, the 412th Test Wing and Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 5 completed the first joint sortie pairing a developmental test pilot with an operational test aircrew member.

Bringing developmental and operational testers together earlier allows the team to identify warfighter needs sooner, collect operational data during development and reduce the time required to deliver an effective training system.

Designed to replace the 67-year-old T-38 Talon, the T-7A will prepare student pilots for advanced aircraft including the F-22, F-35 and B-21.

This is how the Air Force Test Center accelerates capability: test earlier, integrate faster and deliver better tools to the warfighter.

Read the full story at the link in the comments.

07/21/2026

Built, modified and flown autonomously in less than 24 hours.

At Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the 413th Flight Test Squadron’s Futures Flight turned a 3-foot remote-controlled aircraft into an autonomous aerial system by developing its autopilot software, designing and 3D-printing components, and successfully conducting autonomous takeoffs and landings.

This rapid, hands-on innovation strengthens flight safety, protects high-value prototype payloads and expands the Air Force Test Center’s ability to test emerging autonomous capabilities.

Read the full story at the link in the comments.

07/14/2026

At the center of every test, every capability and every breakthrough are people.

Airman 1st Class Leanne Smith, a medical specialties administration technician assigned to the 96th Medical Group’s Healthcare Operations Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, helps ensure Airmen receive the care and support they need to remain ready for the mission.

Her work behind the scenes strengthens the people who make testing possible across the Air Force Test Center enterprise.

Air Force Materiel Command

07/02/2026

The Air Force Test Center welcomes Brig. Gen. Mark A. Massaro as its new commander.

Massaro assumed command of AFTC during a June 30 ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, California, taking responsibility for a test enterprise of more than 20,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel across Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Edwards Air Force Base and Eglin Air Force Base.

In this role, Massaro will lead the development, test and evaluation of manned and unmanned aircraft systems, experimental and proven aerospace vehicles, and capabilities supporting the military services, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA, NASA, international partners and the USAF Test Pilot School.

As the Air Force undertakes the largest modernization effort in its history, AFTC remains central to accelerating the delivery of advanced capabilities to the warfighter.

Read more: https://www.aftc.af.mil/News/Article/4532529/massaro-takes-command-of-aftc/

🔸Air Force Materiel Command🔸

Address

Edwards Air Force Base, CA
93524

Telephone

+16618169595

Website

https://www.aftc.af.mil/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Air Force Test Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Air Force Test Center:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Edwards Air Force Base?