Fact Sheet Display

Arnold AFB 2025 Economic Impact

Arnold Air Force Base had an economic impact of $1.2 billion in the 2025 fiscal year.

Arnold AFB impacted the local area through payroll, secondary jobs created through local spending, and other expenditures for supplies, utilities, professional and technical services, and the spin-off impact of those purchases.

Arnold AFB employed a mixture of military personnel from the Air Force, Department of War civilians and contractors totaling 2,849 personnel in fiscal year 2025, which ran from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025. Of these personnel, 48 were active-duty military; seven Air Force Reserve and National Guard; 411 appropriated fund civilian employees, which includes commissary tenants, general schedule and other military branches; 16 government non-appropriated fund employees paid with appropriated funds; and 2,367 contractor and subcontractor employees.

Additionally, using the Air Force Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cost and Economics (SAF/FMC) economic impact analysis tool, it is estimated that 4,005 secondary jobs were created in the local area around Arnold AFB, bringing the total jobs related to its operation to 6,854. Examples of these secondary jobs include those created by home construction, local supermarkets, car dealerships and department stores.

During the 2025 fiscal year, the payroll cost for government and contractor personnel at Arnold AFB was $390.7 million. Direct expenditures at Arnold, which include utility costs, service contracts with outside vendors and military health insurance paid to local doctors and hospitals, were $336.9 million.

The indirect spin-off impact of these direct expenditures is approximately $505.5 million.

The economic impact data and secondary employment estimates represent the economic impact of Arnold AFB during the 2025 fiscal year.

The mission of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, headquartered at Arnold AFB, is to provide world-class test expertise and environments, enabling early solutions that accelerate war-winning capabilities.

AEDC, which operates the world’s largest complex of ground test facilities, also has operating locations at AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9, Maryland; National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex at Moffett Field, California; Edwards Air Force Base, California; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

LANDING GEAR TEST FACILITY

Overview

The Landing Gear Test Facility (LGTF) has been a cornerstone of aerospace testing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base since 1942, dedicated to ensuring the reliability and performance of aircraft landing gear systems.

Throughout its history, the LGTF has supported the warfighter by providing critical data to enhance the safety and effectiveness of landing gear, wheels, tires, and brakes, directly contributing to the mission of the United States Department of Defense. In addition to its military focus, the LGTF offers comprehensive testing services to commercial entities, employing world-unique test machines capable of simulating real-life conditions with unparalleled accuracy.

Guided by the core values of Integrity, Service, and Excellence, the LGTF consistently delivers precise and dependable data to both military and commercial partners.

Test Machine Capabilities

 

 Overall System Specifications:

Max Speed: 250 mph
Max Acceleration: 21 ft/s2
Inertial Equivalent: 2,445 - 20,063 lbs.
Max Kinetic Energy: 41,750,000 ft-lbs.
 

South Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 40,000 lbs.
Max Torque: 375,000 in-lbs.
Max Tire Size: 64 in
 

North Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 25,000 lbs.
Max Torque: 72,000 in-lbs.
Max Tire Size: 48 in

Overall System Specifications:

Max Speed: 350 mph
Max Acceleration: 24 ft/s2

South Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 150,000 lbs.
Max Yaw: ± 20°
Max Camber: ± 20°

North Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 100,000 lbs.

 

Overall System Specifications:

Max Speed: 200 mph
Max Acceleration: 2 ft/s2
Inertial Equivalent: 10,147 - 162,987 lbs.
Max Kinetic Energy: 205,000,000 ft-lbs.

South Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 301,500 lbs.
Max Brake Torque: 5,800,000 in-lbs.

Overall System Specifications:

Max Speed: 250 mph
Max Acceleration: 16 ft/s2
Max Vertical Load: 150,000 lbs.
Max Yaw: ± 20°
Max Camber: ± 10°

Overall System Specifications:

Max Compressive Load: 3,000,000 lbs.
Max Tension Load: 1,000,000 lbs.
Max Stroke: 60 in
Max Height: 28 ft
Max Width: 10 ft
Platen Size: 60.5 x 96 in

Overall System Specifications:

Max Vertical Load: 75,000 lbs.
Max Side Load: 30,000 lbs.
Max Yaw: ± 90°
Max Camber: ± 10°
Max Tire Size: 56 in.
Table Length: 20 ft.
Max Travel Speed: 3 in/s
Roll Distance: 217 in

 

Overall System Specifications:

Below-grade safety enclosure
Dimensions: 72 x 120 x 126 in.
Water Pressure Limit: 5,000 psi
Rate of Inflation: 10 psi/min

Drop Tower #1

Load Range: 750 - 3,600 lbs.
Wing Lift: 200 - 3,600 lbs.
 

Drop Tower #2

Load Range: 2,000 - 10,300 lbs.
Wing Lift: 200 - 10,300 lbs.
 

Drop Tower #3

Load Range: 6,500 - 50,000 lbs.
Wing Lift: 200 - 35,000 lbs.
 

Drop Tower #4

Load Range: 35,000 - 150,000 lbs.
Wing Lift: 200 - 150,000 lbs.

Load frame that accommodates multiple hydraulic cylinders to provide controlled forcing and operational stresses to test objects in all 6 axes.

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CONTACT US

704 TG/OL-ACL
Landing Gear Test Facility
1981 5th Street
Area B, Bldg. 31
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
(937) 255-9216
704.tg.olac@us.af.mil

 

WHERE TO FIND US

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