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Official Photos - USAF Modern Jets Page 1
This page contains photos of modern day US Air Force jet test aircraft. All North Spin photographs are Copyright © by the photographers that took them, and are not to be re-posted or redistributed.

Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4002
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 1/1/1999?
Credit: USAF

Notes: #002 is seen performing high angle of attack testing with spin chute rig attached.


Subject: F-15E - AFFTC/412th TW - Serial #87-0180
Location: China Lake Range, CA
Date: 4/30/2002
Credit: Bobbi Garcia / USAF

Notes: Lt. Col. Troy Fontaine, and weapons system officer Maj. Kevin Steffenson, drop five MK-84 JDAMs from F-15E #180 during a test mission.


Subject: F-16C - 412th TW 416th FLTS - Serial #83-1120
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 3/?/2006
Credit: Tom Reynolds / USAF

Notes: #120 has been used in the F-16ES upgrade testing, and also for divertless intake testing on the X-35 program... It's seen here testing a replacement pylon designed to carry towed decoys, for the Taiwan Air Force.


Subject: T-38C - AFFTC/412th TW - Serial #64-13302
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/?/2005
Credit: Chad Bellay / USAF

Notes: #302 takes off from Edwards with only one engine, during single-engine takeoff testing.


Subject: F-22A - 53rd Wing 422nd TES - Serial #?
Location: Nellis AFB, NV
Date: N/A
Credit: Tech. Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald / USAF

Notes: An F-22 takes off for the first follow-on operational test and evaluation mission on the F-22, to release JDAMs on the Utah Test & Training Range.


Subject: F-16CJ - 53rd Wing 85th TES - Serial #97-0106 & Five Other F-16s
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 7/?/2005
Credit: Tom Reynolds / USAF

Notes: Six F-16s fly in formation during combined testing of the M4.2+ avionics suite upgrade. The formation consists of test aircraft from both Eglin AFB, and Edwards AFB. #106 was the first F-16 in the 50D Lot.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4006
Location: China Lake Range, CA
Date: 7/25/2005
Credit: Darin Russell / USAF

Notes: Maj. John Teichert releases a 1,000 pound JDAM from an F-22 at supersonic speed for the first time.


Subject: Full Scale F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Model
Location: Newport, NY
Date: 11/?/2004
Credit: USAF

Notes: A full scale model of the JSF sits atop a pedestal at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Antenna Research and Measurement Facility, for the purpose of testing the aircraft's antennas.


Subject: NF-16D (VISTA) - AFFTC/USAF TPS - Serial #86-0048
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: ?/?/2003
Credit: USAF

Notes: The Variable In-Flight Stability Test Aircraft (VISTA) is a modified F-16 that uses specialized software, to emulate the characteristics of various aircraft.


Subject: F-22A - 53rd Wing 422nd TES - Serial #00-4014?
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 6/29/2004
Credit: Ken Hackman / USAF

Notes: Maj. Michael Hernandez talks with Senior Airman James Douglass on the Nellis flight line.


Subject: F-16CG - 412th TW 416th FLTS - Serial #88-0445
Location: China Lake Range, CA
Date: 7/8/2004
Credit: Tom Reynolds / USAF

Notes: Maj. Bill Peris flies #445 over the China Lake Range, during the third test shot of the AIM-9X from an F-16. The target was a drone launched from VX-30's DC-130A #497, based at NAS Point Mugu.


Subject: F-16CJ #90-0809 & F-22A #00-4013 - 53rd Wing 422nd TES
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 6/23/2004
Credit: Tech. Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald / USAF

Notes: Maj. David Thole flies his F-22A in formation with Maj. Alex Grynkewich in his F-16CJ, during a local training mission.


Subject: X-35C - Lockheed - Prototype JSF Naval Variant "300"
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 12/?/2001
Credit: USAF

Notes: The X-35C is seen conducting its initial testing at Edwards AFB, and would later begin its testing with the Navy at NAS Patuxent River.


Subject: F-22A - 53rd Wing 422nd TES - Serial #00-4012
Location: N/A
Date: 12/16/2003
Credit: Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker / USAF

Notes: Lt. Col. Dave Rose flies F-22 #012 in formation with Maj. Robert Garland in his 71st FS F-15, on the day of the First Flight Centennial Celebration, at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.


Subject: F-117A - 53rd TEG Det. 1 - Serial #85-0835
Location: Holloman AFB, NM
Date: 12/9/2003
Credit: Airman 1st Class Vanessa LaBoy / USAF

Notes: #835 sits in the hangar after having just been repainted into a new experimental two tone gray scheme. This paint scheme was done to test the feasibility of using the F-117 on daytime missions.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4001
Location: N/A
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: #001 was the first aircraft, from the initial 4001-4009 block of EMD F-22s.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4001
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: Kevin Robertson / USAF

Notes: #001 conducts wet runway taxi tests.


Subject: F-22A #91-4008, #91-4008 & Two Other Raptors - 411th FLTS
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 8/29/2003
Credit: Kevin Robertson / USAF

Notes: Four 411th FLTS Raptors are seen in this photo, on a day that had a record number of seven F-22s airborne simultaneously, during several test missions. The total number of aircraft airborne including support, was 16.


Subject: Two F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #?
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: Two Edwards Raptors fly over the local mountains during a test mission.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4005
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: #005 flies North of the field over Edwards.


Subject: T-38A - AFFTC/412th TW - Serial #67-14956
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: #956 was eventually retired.


Subject: X-35A - Lockheed - Prototype JSF AF Variant "301"
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: ?/?/2000
Credit: USAF

Notes: This aircraft was eventually reconfigured as the 35B Marine variant.


Subject: X-35C - Lockheed - Prototype JSF Naval Variant "300"
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 12/16/2001
Credit: Judson Brohmer / USAF

Notes: Lockheed Martin test pilot Joe Sweeney flies the X-35C for the first time, from Lockheed Palmdale to Edwards AFB.


Subject: X-35C - Lockheed - Prototype JSF Naval Variant "300"
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 12/16/2001
Credit: Judson Brohmer / USAF

Notes: This aircraft would eventually be taken to Patuxent River to begin its testing with the Navy.


Subject: X-35A - Lockheed - Prototype JSF AF Variant "301"
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: ?/?/2000
Credit: USAF

Notes: Lt. Col. Paul Smith conducts AR in the X-35A for the first time.


Subject: X-35A - Lockheed - Prototype JSF AF Variant "301"
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: ?/?/2000
Credit: USAF

Notes: Ship "301" is seen conducting AR with the 412th TW's unique NKC-135E #55-3135.


Subject: X-35A - Lockheed - Prototype JSF AF Variant "301"
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: ?/?/2000
Credit: USAF

Notes: The 35A aircraft appears to have had both blue and red tail stripes during its test period at Edwards.


Subject: X-35A - Lockheed - Prototype JSF AF Variant "301"
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: ?/?/2000
Credit: Tom Reynolds / USAF

Notes: The X-35A Joint Strike Fighter breaks the sound barrier for the first time.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4002
Location: China Lake Range, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: Judson Brohmer / USAF

Notes: An AMI-9 missile shot test is done from #002.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4001
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: Boeing test pilot Chuck Killberg flies Raptor #001 on its 100th mission. Note the "100 Flights" stenciled under the canopy.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4002
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: Judson Brohmer / USAF

Notes: #002 is seen from above, configured with a spin chute rig.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #?
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: Judson Brohmer / USAF

Notes: An Edwards Raptor flies above the range.


Subject: F-15D - AFFTC/412th TW - Serial #82-0046
Location: Sequoia National Forest, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: George Rolhmaller / USAF

Notes: #046 is seen flying chase on a B-1B test. In a tribute to Chuck Yeager and his wife, "Glamorous Glennis" is stenciled on the nose, just like Chuck had done on the X-1 years ago. The tail also has an emblem noting the "50 Years of Supersonic Flight" anniversary.


Subject: RQ-4A - 412th TW 452nd FLTS - Serial #98-2003 (UAV-3)
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 2/20/2006
Credit: Chad Bellay / USAF

Notes: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle #3 returns from its overseas deployment, where it logged more than 4,800 flight hours supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the CTF - Horn of Africa.


Subject: YF-117A - 412th TW 410th FLTS - Serial #79-10782
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/?/2005
Credit: Senior Airman Jet Fabara / USAF

Notes: In 1983 this ship had the entire bottom painted in an American flag scheme for a change of command ceremony. That scheme was reapplied as a surprise for the 05 Edwards Air Show, which marked the aircraft's retirement. It was later moved to Holloman to be used in ground training.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4002
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: #002 does a tower fly-by.


Subject: F-15DG - 416th FLTS - #87-0392 & F-22A - 411th FLTS - #91-4002?
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: F-16DG #392 flies chase for Raptor #002 during a test mission.


Subject: F-15D - 445th FLTS - #82-0046 & F-22A - 411th FLTS - #91-4002
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: F-15D #046 flies chase with Raptor #002, over the range.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4001
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: Judson Brohmer / USAF

Notes: Raptor #001 passes over the lake bed compass rose.


Subject: AT-38B - 46th TW 586th FLTS - Serial #62-3660
Location: Holloman AFB, NM
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: A small, little known test unit, is the 586th FLTS. They mainly support test missions conducted on the White Sands Missile Range.


Subject: AT-38B - 586th FLTS & F-16 - 40th FLTS
Location: White Sands Range, NM
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: One of the 'ET' T-38s flies chase on a 40th FLTS F-16 from Eglin AFB. Both units specialize in weapons testing.


Subject: AT-38B - 46th TW 586th FLTS - Serial #63-8215
Location: Holloman AFB, NM
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: An 'ET' Talon flies over the New Mexico ranges.


Subject: F-16B - AFFTC/412th TW - Serial #80-0633
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: #633 is a Block 10D F-16 that's worked in Test Operations at ED.


Subject: F-16B - AFFTC/412th TW - Serial #92-0453
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 8/?/2005
Credit: Thomas Hill / USAF

Notes: #453 is a Block 15AR F-16 that was one of numerous F-16s originally built for Pakistan. Due to political reasons, they were embargoed and stored at AMARC for over 10 years. Edwards received nine of these 'new' aircraft for test operations in 2003.


Subject: F-22A - 412th TW 411th FLTS - Serial #91-4007
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: ?/?/2005
Credit: USAF

Notes: #007 flies over Edwards, just South of the Compass Rose.


Subject: F-117A - 412th TW 410th FLTS - Serial #79-10784
Location: Edwards AFB Range, CA
Date: 1/21/2004
Credit: Bobbi Garcia / USAF

Notes: 410th FLTS Commander Lt. Col. Jim Bierstine conducts the first ever release of a Joint Direct Attack Munition, from an F-117. Note the two camera pylons mounted on either side of the weapons bay.

Subject: F-117A - 412th TW 410th FLTS - Serial #79-10784
Location: Edwards AFB Range, CA
Date: 1/21/2004
Credit: Bobbi Garcia / USAF

Notes: #784 was the fifth of the five original full scale development aircraft, and nicknamed 'Scorpion 5' during its initial testing.


Subject: F-16CG - 412th TW 416th FLTS - Serial #88-0445
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: N/A
Credit: USAF

Notes: #445 is a Block 42C F-16.


Subject: F-16DG - 412th TW 416th FLTS - Serial #87-0392
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 4/9/2004
Credit: Tom Reynolds / USAF

Notes: Maj. Ray Toth fires an AIM-9X from an F-16 for the first time, while over the China Lake Range.


Subject: F-16CG - 412th TW 416th FLTS - Serial #88-0445
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 4/9/2004
Credit: Tom Reynolds / USAF

Notes: Carrying cluster bombs.


Subject: F-16C - 412th TW 416th FLTS - Serial #86-0359
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 6/17/2004
Credit: Tom Reynolds / USAF

Notes: As part of the JSF Integrated Test program, Maj. Chris Hamilton flies an Edwards F-16 carrying the Early Risk Reduction (ERR) pod, outfitted with three sensors. The data collected will eventually be applied to the F-35.




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