New partners, new missions

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  The 586th Flight Test Squadron, part of the 704th Test Group at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, is a unit of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex.

The 586th FLTS plans, analyzes, coordinates and conducts flight tests of advanced weapons and avionics systems primarily on the White Sands Missile Range.

It provides deployable operational support for test aircraft staging out of Holloman AFB. The squadron flight tests guidance systems, laser systems, air-to-air and air-to-ground systems, long-range and standoff weapons and live warheads, and provides target and photo and safety chase. It operates four highly modified Northrop AT-38C Talon, one Beechcraft C-12F and one Beechcraft C-12J Huron aircraft equipped to support a wide variety of flight test operations.

The 586th has access to both full-scale and sub-scale unmanned aerial targets, one of the world's most elaborate ground impact ranges, and U.S. Army helicopter test assets.

Designed from the ground up as a test and test support unit, the 586th can provide all the services needed for a test program. The aircraft, test expertise and support facilities are all in place. The 586th can execute the test, provide the support in the form of photo/safety chase or simply provide the location for you to base. The test team and aircraft are all easily deployable to your test location.

The squadron is a center of expertise for over-land air-to-air missile testing (AMRAAM, AIM-9X, etc) and the 586th is set up to conduct or support the test.

The 586th FLTS has access to both full and sub-scale unmanned targets as well as towed targets. All targets are configurable to meet customer needs.

The 586th FLTS is the Air Force liaison to WSMR and provides access to a unique set of ground targets; moving or stationary as well as austere or built up location type targets. Test priority airspace is approximately two minutes flying time from the field.

The squadron is also located next to the Army Air Division, where the 586th can coordinate for slow speed and helicopter support to include test, test support, and transport on the WSMR.


-AEDC-