AEDC researches possible modifications to C-5M Super Galaxy wings

Jim Crawford, an outside machinist with the Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) Flight Systems Operation and Maintenance branch, inspects a winglet on the wingtip of the C-5M Super Galaxy model during a break in testing in Arnold Engineering Development Complex’s (AEDC) 16-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel (16T). The model is a pink color as a result of AEDC’s application of Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) to it before the test was conducted. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

AEDC researches possible modifications to C-5M Super Galaxy wings

Pictured here is the C-5M Super Galaxy model during a break in testing in Arnold Engineering Development Complex’s (AEDC) 16-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel (16T). The model’s coloring is a result of the purple LEDs used to illuminate the Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP). (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

NFAC Team conducts 'game-changing technology test for NASA

This is an artist's concept of NASA's Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) showing the atmospheric entry of a spacecraft. (NASA Artwork)

AEDC-managed NFAC recently site of unique future generation aircraft test

A 1:11 scale model of a futuristic airplane is tested in the world's second-largest wind tunnel at the NFAC at Moffett Field, Calif. The plane would hold 150 passengers and is being called the next 737. Located at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, the NFAC is managed and operated by the U.S. Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Center. (Photo by Mike Anderson)

AEDC-managed NFAC recently site of unique future generation aircraft test

Back in one of two control rooms at the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC), Austin Paige, an electrician at the facility, operates equipment while AMELIA (Advanced Model for Extreme Lift and Improved Aeroacoustics) gets blasted with air inside the wind tunnel. (Photos by Mike Anderson, courtesy of NBC Bay Area News)

AEDC machinists create B-52 in Model Shop

Machinist Derrick Burton hand-works or “blends” around the pod where an engine will be attached to the B-52 model. (Photo by Philip Lorenz)

AEDC sets record with largest aircraft model to conduct B-52H store separation test

From left, J. T. Thompson, ATA captive trajectory system project engineer, discusses the B-52H model with Gary Cunningham, ATA lead outside machinist, in AEDC’s 16T between store separation test runs. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

AEDC sets record with largest aircraft model to conduct B-52H store separation test

Paul Haas, B-52 Program Office, Tinker AFB, Druana Sanders, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc, and Don Arrowood, B-52 Program Office, Tinker AFB, examine the B-52H model’s stores in AEDC’s 16T between store separation test runs. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

B-52 model brought to life by machine programmers

Joel Gregory, an ATA numerical control programmer in AEDC’s Model Shop, explains how he programs more than a dozen different machines to cut chunks of metal into parts that made up the B-52 model used in store separation testing at AEDC. (Photo by Philip Lorenz III)

AEDC’s NFAC tests Speed Agile demonstrator

Caption for 110715-F-UU070-014: From left, AFMC commander Gen. Donald Hoffman and AEDC’s National Full-scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC) Test Director Patrick Goulding II get a close look at a 23-percent scale model of the Speed Agile technology demonstrator that recently underwent aerodynamic testing in the world’s largest wind tunnel at NFAC in Mountain View, Calif. (Photo provided)

AEDC team puts new small diameter bomb to the test

David Anderson, ATA test project engineer, inspects the 1/20-scale models of an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft and a sting-mounted Small Diameter Bomb (SDB II), during a break in the ongoing store separation test for the new weapon’s development phase trials in the aerodynamic wind tunnel 4T of the Propulsion Wind Tunnel (PWT) facility. The test marks the second time the SDB II has been tested at Arnold. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

AEDC workers meeting challenge of returning wind tunnel to service

John England, left, inspects drawings specifying a total rebuild of a diffuser plate damaged in an equipment failure at AEDC’s Von Kármán Gas Dynamic Facility Wind Tunnel A. Boilermakers Michael Dickey and Jeff Moss repaired the plate by bending plates of steel almost two inches thick and welding massive plates of dissimilar metals. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

AEDC workers meeting challenge of returning wind tunnel to service

Donnie Ingle and David Taylor inspect a lower diffuser plate for proper tolerances after a line boring operation using a laser scanner, while Paul Denton looks on. Workers in AEDC’s model shop had to re-bore holes after welding the damaged plate from the Von Kármán Gas Dynamic Facility’s Wind Tunnel A. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

AEDC heralds successful first flight of X-51 Waverider

Carson McAfee, ATA outside machinist and foreman, makes a control surface change to the sub-scale model of the X-51 WaveRider during a break in aerodynamic testing at AEDC’s von Kármán Gas Dynamics Facility in 2006 . (File photo)

Schlieren images of the X-37's plume

This is one of the Schlieren images of the X-37’s plume interacting with the flow along the model’s surface during testing in AEDC’s von Kàrmàn Gas Dynamics Facility wind tunnels.

X-37 model tested at AEDC

A 6-percent scale model of NASA’s X-37 underwent testing in AEDC’s von Kàrmàn Gas Dynamics Facility wind tunnels A, B and C to establish how redesigns to the demonstrator spacecraft’s control jet nozzles and body flap affected its aerodynamics during reentry into and through the Earth’s atmosphere.

FAST launch vehicle tested

A 4-percent model of the Fully-Reusable Access to Space Technology proof-of-concept launch vehicle underwent aerodynamic testing in AEDC’s von Kàrmàn Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF) Supersonic Wind Tunnel A. (Photo by David Housch)

New concept launch vehicle undergoes first test

A 4-percent model of the Fully-Reusable Access to Space Technology proof-of-concept launch vehicle underwent aerodynamic testing in AEDC’s von Kàrmàn Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF) Supersonic Wind Tunnel A. (Photo by David Housch)

Burn it up

An F119 engine, the power plant for the F-22A Raptor, undergoes sea level Accelerated Mission Testing (AMT) in the U.S. Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Center’s (AEDC) SL-2 (Sea Level-Two) testing facility. According to Sean Smith, AEDC’s F119 project manager, the completion of the block of testing represented 75 percent total life for the engine. Smith said the tasks associated with the test included upgrades that could reduce life cycle costs and required maintenance man hours for future and currently fielded engines. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

Closer look

Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) Outside Machinist Carey Wofford inspects the leading edges on the standard check model between tests in Arnold’s 16T. ATA is the support contractor for AEDC. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

Stunning test

From left, Terry Finley, an engineer with Willbrook Solutions, the Missile Defense Agency support contractor providing aero and test engineering service, and David Carlson, lead test engineer with Raytheon, inspect the Stunner missile model between configuration changes during the testing in Arnold Engineering Development Center’s von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility Tunnel A. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

X marks the spot

A model of the X-15 rocket shown in AEDC’s von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility wind tunnel A. The X-15 underwent air worthiness and stability testing in the late 1950s. AEDC played a major role in the development of the X-15 and continues to provide instrumental aeronautical tests for U.S. military, NASA, and commercial air and space craft.

Test before flight

This T-38 Northrup Talon supersonic jet trainer model was tested in the U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center's 16-foot transonic wind tunnel in 1958. The T-38 flew in 1959. (AEDC file photo)

Dangerous bird

This is a view of 1/10-scale sting-mounted AIM-120C store and F/A-18E/F aircraft models during a break in store separation testing inside AEDC’s 16-foot transonic wind tunnel. (Photo by David Housch)