40th Flight Test  Squadron

Assigned to: 46th Test Wing

Home Station: Eglin AFB, FL

Primary Mission: F-15E Flight Test and Development

Unit History:

The 40 FTS designs and performs developmental test and evaluation utilizing highly modified F-15A/B/C/D/E, F-16A/B/C/D, A-10, NC-130 and UH-1N aircraft. The Squadron generates, launches, recovers, arms, flies, and maintains these unique test aircraft in support of a wide variety of tests including conventional weapons and avionics.

The 40th Flight Test Squadron maintains F-15 A/B/C/D air superiority and F-15E strike aircraft for use in developmental test and evaluation flight testing. These aircraft are highly modified to accommodate such items as instrumentation, antennas, strain gauges, wiring, accelerometers, control panels, cameras, etc.

F-15 flight testing consists of a variety of ground and airborne tests which include state-of-the-art air to ground weapons launched over both Eglin land and water test ranges, avionics system integration tests, aircraft compatibility testing (to include instrumented loads, separations, and stability and control testing), and a variety of aircraft based ground tests. To accomplish this testing a variety of land and water test ranges are available that can accommodate delivery conditions from low to high altitude. Extensive range instrumentation includes radars, cinetheotilites, GPS pods, high-speed film and video cameras, telemetry receiving stations, real-time as well as post mission data processing and display, mission control facilities, differential GPS reference station, etc.

PRIMARY ASSIGNED F-15E AIRCRAFT:

85th Test and Evaluation Squadron

Assigned to: 79^th Test and Evaluation Group, 53d Wing

Home Station: Eglin AFB, FL

Primary Mission: F-15E Flight Test and Development

The 85^th Test and Evaluation Squadron is responsible for conducting OT&E on F-15, F-15E and F-16 fighter weapons systems and developing and testing tactics, techniques, and concepts.  Specifically, the squadron executes operational testing and evaluation of the newest air-to-ground munitions, air-to-air missiles, reconnaissance systems, electronic warfare systems, and associated subcomponents and avionics.  In addition, the squadron provides operational fighter expertise to U.S. Air Force units, Department of Defense agencies, and aerospace contractors in the employment of current and the development of future aircraft, weapons, and electronic warfare systems.

PRIMARY ASSIGNED F-15E AIRCRAFT: