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Recent Edwards AFB news:



http://www.bakersfield.com/news/unm...cle_8190bf89-3cc3-5cdc-855a-baf5a6d22bb9.html


Unmanned parachute test proves not every technology at Edwards Air Force Base in eastern Kern is a billion-dollar weapons system


Edwards Air Force Base has tested billions of dollars in defense-related technology over the course of its history, from the sound barrier-busting Bell X-1 to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

But this week, researchers at the base in eastern Kern County tested an innovative use of already existing technology — cobbled together for a whopping 1,600 bucks.

On Tuesday, two teams at Edwards collaborated for the first flight test of what they described as a remotely piloted parachute system that could save thousands of dollars in operational testing costs, said Chris Klug, a technical advisor from the base’s XCITE innovation team who sponsored the project from start to finish.

“It’s really similar to the hydraulics on a tractor, but it’s electrical rather than hydraulics,” Klug said of the inexpensive system.

The 412th Operations Support Squadron Airdrop Research and Development Parachute Test Team — now you know why the military uses acronyms — and the innovation team worked together to develop the low-cost, locally built guidance system.

There’s been a renewed focus, Klug said, on harnessing “the innovative minds of people throughout our organization.” And this project, designed and built by team member Trever Bush, is just one example.

Before a new parachute is ever used by humans, it is dropped using mannequins, or dummies, specifically designed for parachute testing. Once clear of the aircraft, the mannequins are typically at the mercy of the winds as they obviously cannot control the toggles — the parachute's control handles.

The remote system is designed to manipulate the toggles, Bush said, much the same way a live jumper would, allowing some control over the descent of the parachute and its cargo.

And on Tuesday, they tried it out for the first time, as seen in the video accompanying this story. An operator on the ground remotely controlled the toggles.

The test was a success.

According to the team, this added control could save money by minimizing damage to the mannequins — which cost $3,000 each — and by cutting the time required to recover them after tests.

Also, when the parachutes fly off course there’s more chance of incurring damage to the chutes themselves. At $15,000 a pop, that’s not insignificant.

The quality of the test data is also improved.

“The data becomes more valuable,” Bush said. “We are able to test the limits more” without risking lives.

Bush thinks the technology could also be valuable in parachute cargo drops, and hopes to eventually begin testing for those heavier payloads.

Solutions to problems don't always have to be million-dollar ideas, Klug said. Sometimes they come from the minds of civilian employees — at $1,600 a pop.
 
A "Cool" picture...
Taking over the Nellis Test Range, Las Vegas Nevada 2010

An F-22 Raptor and F-15 Eagle from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School's 433rd Weapons Squadron pull into a vertical climb over the Nevada Test and Training Range July 16, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)






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So:
More on the F-15 Streak Eagle project by the original pilot "Barry X"
Edwards AFB, 98,000 feet in 202 seconds.....


Posted December 15, 2004 (edited)


Yes, there was only one, but it was repainted in air superiority blue (to protect the bare metal). And the plane was sometimes shown wearing special tail graphics, but even these were removed for the actual time to climb flights. So it could look like several were made.

I almost duplicated the time to climb run! But I ran out of fuel and flamed out at about 90,000! The time was looking good though. The Streak Eagle was only only loaded with just enough fuel to complete its task. I assume its 3 minutes of pure afterburner and then a regular return to base. I'll have to tweak it a bit more. Here's a little history...

"In April 1974, the Air Force ordered the modification of the 17th F-15A built to the "Streak Eagle" configuration, stripping the aircraft of nonessentials, even most of the paint, to set a string of flight records in 1974 and 1975. The Streak Eagle weighed 815 kilograms (1,800 pounds) less than a production F-15A and flew with no more fuel than was safely required to perform a particular flight exercise.

The Streak Eagle effort cost the US taxpayer over $2 million USD, but the Air Force regarded it as money well spent to promote the F-15 program; determine what the machine was really capable of; sell the type to pilots on the front line; and intimidate the Soviets. The Soviets had already been intimidated by the FX program, and as the Streak Eagle broke records held by the Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat, saw their worst fears coming true. The USSR pushed on to develop their answer to the F-15, the Sukhoi Su-27 "Flanker", and a specially modified Su-27 would eventually take most of the records away from the Streak Eagle.

As far as inspiring the troops went, the Streak Eagle proved what F-15 pilots would soon find out for themselves: nothing then flying could outclimb the Eagle. "

Edited December 15, 2004 by Barry x
 
This guy had courage/BALLS:
More:

"Ok, I just completed a few time-to-climb runs!

I got to 98,000 feet in 202 seconds, flamed out at 103,000 and coasted to 103,900. Not too bad!
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I find it works best to take off, maintain about 15 degrees climbout to about 20,000 ft. Then level off and accelerate up to mach 2.3. Pull back to nose up 55 degrees, and let X-Plane do the rest!

Its posted at XPFP and will be here soon. I'll have to edit the other F-15s to the same engine specs, now that I got the engine performance more realistic."
 
I drove by the Mojave Airport Thursday 01 June 2017 and guess what I saw?

Yup, the World's Biggest Airplane

Strato-Launcher

And let me tell you: It is HUGE!

I'm getting a "Tour" of it soon from one of my Bud's who is a pilot for the program
I'll post a selfie with me at the Jet.
I'll post MORE pics soon!
(This is a "File" photo from Friday morning June 02)



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