History
Flight testing began at Muroc Army Air Base (later renamed Edwards Air Force Base) during World War II. It was the site of the first U.S. jet flight on 1 October 1942 when the top secret XP-59 conducted its initial flight. Following the war flight testing officially became the base's primary mission. Beginning in 1947 the base hosted the experimental X planes, initially by the Army Air Force Flight Test Division. Flying a Bell X-1 Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier on 14 October 1947. Simultaneously, the base was hosting testing for proposed weapon systems including the F-84 Thunderjet, F-86 Sabre, F-94 Starfire, and B-45 Tornado.
The organization was formally activated on 25 June 1951.
Technology pioneered through the AFTC led to remarkable advancements in aviation. The "Century Series" of aircraft provided the United States with its super-sonic fighter fleet. Meanwhile the aircraft of the X series continued to set speed and altitude records. Major Robert "Bob" White became the first person to fly an aircraft into space on 17 July 1962 when he flew his X-15 to an altitude of 314,750 feet. Flying the same airframe a year later Joe Walker reached an altitude of 354,200 feet (67 miles). On 3 October 1967 William "Pete" Knight set the standing aircraft speed record of Mach 6.72 (4,520 mph), again flying an X-15. When the space program began a number of astronauts were selected from the Air Force's test pilot cadre. Additionally, the AFTC assisted with the testing of rocket engines and re-entry vehicles.
The AFTC continues to test current and future weapon systems as well as conducting concept testing for aircraft subsystems. The center has, for example, demonstrated the feasibility of digital flight control systems, new propulsion concepts, and stealth capabilities (through the Have Blue program) that have since been incorporated into active aircraft. The center also assisted with the development of the Space Shuttle, Air-Launched Cruise Missile, and LANTIRN systems. More recently the AFTC has been part of the anti-satellite missile and Joint Direct Attack Munition development. Additionally, the center has played a key role in the development of the Air Force's burgeoning unmanned aerial vehicle fleet, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and the YAL-1 Airborne Laser. NASA maintains its Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards and partners with the AFFTC on aircraft development.
Effective 6 July 2012, it was redesignated from the Air Force Flight Test Center to the Air Force Test Center.
Read more about this topic: Air Force Flight Test Center
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