In another milestone for the B-21 Raider program, an operational test pilot recently flew the bomber with a developmental test pilot sharing the cockpit.
The integration of operational test marks a major shift in how the Air Force evaluates its most critical next-generation aircraft, breaking down historical barriers in the flight test pipeline. The pilot was assigned to Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center’s Detachment 5 at Edwards AFB.
“We put an operational test member in the pilot seat with an Air Force Test Pilot School graduate in the other,” said Col. Matt Guasco, AFOTEC Det. 5 commander. “In the history of modern test, we’ve never done that so early in a program.”
Traditionally, developmental test ensures an aircraft meets its technical specifications and flies safely, while operational test is conducted separately and much later to determine if the platform is combat-effective, suitable and survivable in the hands of the warfighter. Transitioning directly into a combined DT/OT environment eliminates the gap between ensuring a jet simply works and ensuring it is ready for combat.
“Integrating operational and developmental test in the B-21 program exemplifies the acquisition culture we’re instilling throughout the force,” said Gen. Dale White, the Department of War's direct reporting portfolio manager for critical major weapon systems. “It’s a smarter and faster mindset that leverages modern production and test tools with the proper sense of urgency, urgency that challenges old processes and moves us to a more agile acquisition system.
White is responsible for the weapon systems most critical to national security, including Sentinel, F-47, B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The 412th Test Wing currently tests the B-21and CCA.
“In the case of the Raider,” White said, “it means we’re now that much closer to placing asymmetric lethality into the hands of the warfighter.”
With last summer’s arrival of a second B-21 to Edwards AFB, the Raider Combined Test Force transitioned beyond initial flight performance checks into critical mission systems and weapon integration.
“Bringing operational testers onto the team at this early point in the program now means we can evaluate the bomber's true combat utility, not just its flying characteristics,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Gray, 420th Flight Test Squadron commander and Raider CTF director.
The Raider CTF at Edwards is comprised of Airmen and Air Force civilians from the 412th Test Wing’s 420th Flight Test Squadron, AFOTEC Det 5 and the 53rd Wing’s 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, along with Northrop Grumman industry partners.
