Posted on 09/04/2004 9:48:18 AM PDT by BenLurkin
EDWARDS AFB - In support of real-world operations, testers from the Global Power Fighters Combined Test Force performed accelerated testing to equip the F-16, for the first time ever, with a 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition, or GBU-38, that was completed July 16. The 416th Flight Test Squadron built up to the release of three inert, guided GBU-38 weapons from a Block 30 F-16 at China Lake Warfare Center Weapons Division Range from July 13 through 16, and successfully completed developmental testing.
"In 30 days, operational and developmental testing was completed, which is a huge success highlighting the abilities of experts in various technical fields that worked on the test acceleration," said Doug Pawlik, 412th Test Wing F-16 project manager.
"It took an enormous amount of coordination between Seek Eagle (Air Force Seek Eagle Office at Eglin AFB, Fla.), Hill AFB (Utah) the Edwards and China Lake test ranges, and numerous contractors to certify the Block 30 F-16 capable of carrying the GBU-38."
Testers from the F-16 CTF used a Block 30 F-16 from Edwards and the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center, Ariz., to complete the six sorties at Edwards and China Lake, said Maj. Don Sheesley, 416th Flight Test Squadron project pilot.
"Block 30 F-16s are used throughout the Air Force, particularly by the Air National Guard," Sheesley said.
"The accelerated test sent the new weapons capability right to operational testing from developmental testing, directly supporting a need to have the precision targeting capability the GBU-38 offers."
The F-16 block number increases whenever a new production configuration is established.
Those fighter pilots (and ground crews) must be some of those no-good, G** d*** cowardly draft dodgers that the libs have been talking about so much.
bttt
Kerry probably voted against these too. He wanted the money to be spent on rocket propelled spitballs, I presume.
"Acceleration" ...
I had a hard time finding the modification that increased the F16's acceleration.
Confusing headling. It was the testing that was accelerated.
Those fighter pilots (and ground crews) must be some of those no-good, G** d*** cowardly draft dodgers that the libs have been talking about so much.SIGH!!! afraid that's how the MSM and the libs STILL see through their feeble mind...
Test acceleration increases strike punch of F-16s
Articles / General News
Date: Aug 12, 2004 - 08:50 AM
Experts at Edwards AFB accelerated testing to equip the F-16 Fighting Falcon, for the first time ever, with a 500 pound Joint Direct Attack Munition so overseas warfighters can use the new capability sooner.
Experts from the 416th Flight Test Squadron built-up to releasing three inert, guided JDAM weapons, known as JBU-38s, from a Block 30 F-16 at China Lake Warfare Center Weapons Division Range in China Lake, Calif. They successfully completed developmental testing here.
"In 30 days, operational and developmental testing were completed, which is a huge success highlighting the abilities of experts in various technical fields that worked on the test acceleration,' said Doug Pawlik, 412th Test Wing F-16 project manager.
The GBU-38 decreases the potential for collateral damage on a target and increases the warfighter's ability to precisely hit specific targets, said Maj. Don Sheesley, 416th Flight Test Squadron project pilot.
Maj. Don Sheesley, 416th Flight Test Squadron project pilot, releases for the first time ever a 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition. In support of real-world operations, testers from the Global Power Fighters Combined Test Force here performed accelerated testing to equip the F-16 with a 500-pound JDAM, or GBU-38, that was completed July 16. (Photo by Jim Shryne)
He said it took "an enormous amount of coordination' between officials at the Air Force Seek Eagle Office at Eglin AFB, Fla.; Hill AFB, Utah; the Edwards and China Lake test ranges; and numerous contractors to certify the Block 30 F-16 capable of carrying the GBU-38.
F-16 Global Power Fighters Combined Test Force experts used a Block 30 F-16 from Edwards and the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center in Arizona to complete the six sorties here and at China Lake, Major Sheesley said.
"Block 30 F-16s are used throughout the Air Force, particularly by the Air National Guard,' he said. "The accelerated test sent the new weapons capability right to OT [operational testing] from DT [developmental testing], directly supporting a need to have the precision targeting capability the GBU-38 offers.'
The F-16 block number increases when a new production configuration is established. Block 30 F-16s, also known as F-16 C/Ds, are older airframes with specific engines, cockpit controls and display technology, Major Sheesley said.
In a combined effort, test experts put together elements needed for the accelerated testing, which included tail kits, bomb bodies, software, ground testing and data analysis, according to Mr. Pawlik.
"Test range members at both Edwards and China Lake pulled many overtime hours to process data collected from the six sorties,' said Mr. Pawlik. "Without this effort and dedication by the ranges and the CTF, the developmental testing would have taken much longer to pass on to operational testers.'
The captive-carry sorties, or sorties where the aircraft carried but didn't release the weapon, gathered system integration and performance data for CTF engineering officials to certify the Block 30 F-16 airframe to employ the GBU-38 weapons, said Major Sheesley.
Air Force Seek Eagle Office experts analyze data collected from sorties and certifies aircraft to carry new weapons.
AATC experts' operational testing at the Utah Test and Training Range, located near Hill AFB, recently wrapped up, and warfighters overseas will soon be able to use the precision-guided GBU-38 capability on F-16 Block 30s.
Courtesy of 1st. Lt. Brooke Davis, Air Force Flight Test Center Public Affair
This article comes from F-16.net http://www.f-16.net/
The URL for this story is: http://www.f-16.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1140
Yup. An they're all AWOL and deserters, just like W.
/sarcasm
useful for converting "ragheads" into "moist towelettes"!
Ever hear the thunder of an F-16 roaring overhead?
IT'S THE SOUND OF FREEDOM!
Seeing three of these babies flying low over the top of us while hiking the southern California part of Pacific Crest Trail was a highlight of the hike for me.
Of course, the ones we saw didn't have all that armament hanging from them...
Anyone know if the Americans will be putting in an appearance with at least one of these for the Royal Australian Air Force (Amberley) Air Show early next month? Seeing an F-16 up close would make my year.
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