AEDC test workload increases 50 percent, technology up 25 percent in 2014

  • Published
  • By Kathy Gattis
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  2014 is shaping up to be one of the busiest testing years AEDC has seen in a long time.

AEDC Director of Test Operations Col. Patrick Tom expects this to be a challenging year with work across all of the business areas, including a 50 percent overall increase in testing and a 25 percent increase in technology workload.

"We have engines pinned in six test cells for the first time in eight years to include engine support of the DOD's (Department of Defense) priority F-22 and F-35 fighters," Tom said.

And the news gets better... the Engine Test Facility (ETF), Propulsion Wind Tunnel Facility (PWT) and the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF) are running concurrently for the first time in more than six years.

PWT is covering three shifts of operations, running 24-7.

On top of that, ATA is hiring up to 70 people to help with the increased testing tempo and many Air Force civilians are becoming "hands on" testers for the first time at AEDC.

With shrinking defense budgets and cutbacks seen in so many government programs, 'what's going on at AEDC?'

"As DOD budgets shrink, the number of large programs may also shrink; however, there are still a large number of labs, technical demos and commercial customers who need our expertise in addition to the large, major defense acquisition programs," Tom said.

"We have a reputation for supporting critical wind tunnels, turbines, space, and missile programs. Customers know that the solutions provided by AEDC are solution that both we and they can stand behind. The commitment and abilities of our people have been extraordinary over the years."

Still, Tom admits, it will be challenging to execute a robust workload with AEDC's smaller workforce and less funding than before, but he says the Complex can do it.

"When challenged, AEDC has always excelled," he said. "I believe this is a great opportunity to think differently about how we do T&E {test and evaluation} here and to think more innovatively about how we provide efficient, effective T&E to our customers. We should all be excited about this opportunity. I know I am!"

ATA Deputy Director of Integrated Test and Evaluation Dr. Rob McAmis agrees. He says ATA is excited about the variety of workload across test areas, and likes the Air Force emphasis to 'own the experiment.'

"The concept of owning the experiment allows our teams to dig technically deep in the planning, execution and post-experiment assessment phase, ultimately providing our customers quality information in addition to basic data production," McAmis said.

"We like a challenge; we have highly technical folks who make up our test project teams, and they excel most during times of challenge."

McAmis said upcoming projects will require risk-tolerant approaches to cost and schedule; timely test peculiar hardware design and fabrication; unique installation and build up; energetic project management; and effective test execution and information production directed toward customer's needs for decision-quality-information.

In 2013, AEDC successfully provided test and evaluation for 39 programs to advance national capabilities in the crucial areas of aerodynamics, propulsion, space, and missiles.

Increasingly, AEDC is becoming known as a one-stop-shop Complex. The concept that all services from the design to model build-up to the testing and data analysis - all aspects of the test can be done by AEDC... one Complex can test the engines, the aerodynamics, analyze store separations and conduct other specialized engineering development.

A prime example was last fiscal year as AEDC engineers, craftsmen, program managers, analysts and other members of the team worked together to determine the airworthiness of eight proposed leading edge modification candidates for the A-10.

"Our work with the A-10 led to the identification of a suitable replacement for the aircraft's actuated leading edge slats," Tom said. "We recommended corrections needed to end the estimated $25 million (in 10 years) of loss and repairs on the A-10. "Prior to the work done at AEDC, these slats were also the potential contributor to 125 mishaps."

Even though business is great now, ATA General Manager Steve Pearson reminded employees recently, "We need to continue to build our business to keep our people working, and when you sense a customer is getting away, start discussions with your company management and your Air Force counterparts. We must do everything possible to win work, deliver on time/schedule and at the level of quality expected of AEDC."

While the future of many DOD technology programs in today's fiscal environment is murky, AEDC stands poised to help reduce the cost and cycle time of any programs DOD chooses to pursue. AEDC Commander Col. Ray Toth sums up the role of Arnold AFB by stating, 'leveraging our highly-talented, innovative workforce of engineers, technicians, and support personnel, AEDC remains committed to Gen Hap Arnold's vision of ensuring the U.S. is never caught technologically unprepared to meet any adversary, any time, anywhere."