AIR FORCE Magazine / April 200336

The 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron ensures that today’scutting edge weapons work as advertised.

A Sharper

AIR FORCE Magazine / April 200336

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Photography by Jim Haseltine

Sword

From bottom: An F-15E Strike Eagle, an A-10, F-15C, and an F-16C, all fromthe 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, fly with a visiting German MiG-29(top left) in formation over the test range at Nellis AFB, Nev.

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AIR FORCE Magazine / April 200338

The 422nd Test and EvaluationSquadron is a composite unit

that conducts operational tests ofA/OA-10, F-15C/E, and F-16C hard-ware and software enhancementsprior to release to combat forces. Itis subordinate to the 53rd Wing atEglin AFB, Fla., but is located atNellis AFB, Nev., where the unittakes advantage of the superbtraining ranges at that base. The unitis responsible for bringing USAF’snext generation fighter, the F/A-22,into the operational arena.

The 422nd dates to the World War II–era 422nd Night Fighter Squadron.

The 422nd also conducts foreignmateriel exploitation and specialaccess projects. Its crews fre-quently fly with other forces, suchas the US Navy and Marine Corpsand foreign air forces. One opportu-nity included members of theGerman Luftwaffe’s MiG-29 squad-ron. The two units compared thenew USAF AIM-9X missile with theolder Russian–made AA-11 Archermissile.

At right, an F-16, a MiG-29, and (inback, just visible) an F-15 on theflight line at Nellis.

The 422nd tests improvements toexisting technologies as well asaircraft and munitions innovations.The unit is responsible for writing thebook on the use of new develop-ments in hardware and software sothat frontline crews that get the latestin warfighting technology can employit—fast.

At left, one of the squadron’s A-10sreturns home from a test mission.

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Above, a German MiG-29 carrying anArcher missile prepares for atraining sortie. The older helmet-mounted directional system, seen onthe pilot at right, is effective technol-ogy, but it is aging.

The AIM-9X incorporates advancedtechnologies. Integration with theJHMCS will maximize its high off-boresight capability. Once thesystem has been integrated into theF-15, it will be inserted into the F-16,the F/A-22, and possibly the F-35Joint Strike Fighter.

Above, an AIM-9X is visible againsta white-tipped AIM-120 AMRAAM,both mounted on an F-15C. At right,an F-16 pilot is wearing the JointHelmet Mounted Cueing System.JHMCS lets a pilot fire a missile inthe direction in which he is looking,not necessarily in the direction theaircraft is flying.

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In January, the squadron tookdelivery of the first Air CombatCommand F/A-22. Airmen are poringover the Raptor, learning the ins andouts of its transformational technol-ogy so they can begin the tests thatwill enable them to predict theperformance of the aircraft underevery conceivable condition. Atright, a crew chief from the 57thWing checks out the laptop thatcontains all of the tech orders andforms for the aircraft.

Above and left, crews prepare A-10s.On the ramp are weapon crates formissiles carried by the A-10, whichhas proved to be a formidableweapon in the war in Afghanistan.

The 422nd creates training syllabi fornew systems, sets employmentparameters, and tests every variablethat might affect mission outcome.One weapon currently in test andevaluation at Nellis is the improved,next-generation AGM-65K Maverickmissile system, featuring an up-graded TV seeker and a 298-poundblast fragmentation warhead.

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A 57th Wing crew chief and a pilotfrom the 422nd inspect F/A-22 No.12, the first of eight Raptors that willgo to the squadron for test andevaluation.

Above, a pilot performs a walkaround to familiarize himself with theaircraft and, at right, checks out thecockpit’s ultrasophisticated avionicssuite, which will permit simultaneousengagement of multiple targets.

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Many of the unit’s missions takeplace during various exercises, suchas Red Flag. The test ranges at Nellisinclude the Tonopah Test Range,the 5,000-square-mile Nellis RangeComplex, and two emergencyairfields. At right, an F-15 crewreadies for takeoff.

At right, an F-15E crew does thepaperwork before a mission. The testand evaluation crews performmissions similar to what front-linecrews might encounter. Everycontingency is planned for, and eachaircraft and system is put through itspaces, so combat units won’t get anasty surprise in the heat of battle.The 422nd conducts field visits tofamiliarize operational units withnew developments.

At left, the crew checks out an AGM-130. This mission will evaluateimproved software in the F-15E. TheAGM-130 has been used to greateffect by the troops performingmissions in support of OperationsNorthern and Southern Watch,enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq.

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Above, an F-15E crew releases anAGM-130. The powered standoffweapon is designed for strikesagainst heavily defended targets.The missile’s potency—and itsdeadly accuracy—has been provedtime and again.

At right, F-16s from the 422nd form alanding pattern on their return toNellis after a sortie, while, below,another fighter punches out flaresduring a mission.

Members of the 422nd Test andEvaluation Squadron work hard togather knowledge, test concepts,and make sure their information getsto the front lines, where it’s neededmost. ■