B-1 Sniper pod aims to hit summer targetby Maj. Nori La Rue
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
6/4/2008 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Edwards Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force and the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, TX, combined the operational and developmental test of a B-1B Lancer here to accelerate the bomber's sniper pod program.
With the accelerated testing cutting the length of the program from nine months down to three, the B-1 sniper pod is expected to be operational as early as this summer.
"This has been the first time that we have brought (a force developmental evaluation) squadron here," said Lt. Col. Troy Asher, Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force director and 419th Flight Test Squadron commander. "We have done all flavors of testing here at the same time in the span of about two weeks, which was originally planned for two months. We have knocked out over half of the force developmental evaluation. We have been able to take data from their (operational) testing, and they have been able to take data from our (developmental) testing. It has just been phenomenal."
Typically, the Global Power Bomber CTF performs the developmental testing on a system as well as the initial stages of operational testing because Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center is part of the CTF. At the end of every program, the B-1 would be sent back to Air Combat Command for force developmental evaluation, the final part of operational testing in which they develop tactics and training procedures.
Full story
http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123101089
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