Page 1 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 7-10-15

Volume 63, Number 2
NNSA, AF complete
successful B61-12 life
extension flight test
The U.S. Air Force and National Nu-
clear Security Administration completed
the first development flight test of the
B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb at Tonopah
Test Range, Nev., July 1, 2015.
“This test marks a major milestone
for the B61-12 Life Extension Program,
demonstrating end-to-end system per-
formance under representative delivery
conditions,” said NNSA Deputy Admin-
istrator for Defense Programs Dr. Don
Cook. “Achieving the first complete B61-
12 flight test provides clear evidence of
the nation’s continued commitment to
maintain the B61 and provides assurance
to our allies.”
The flight test asset consisted of hard-
ware designed by Sandia National and
Los Alamos National Laboratories, man-
ufactured by the National Security Enter-
prise Plants, and mated to the Air Force
tail-kit assembly, designed by Boeing.
This test is the first of three develop-
ment flight tests for the B61-12 Life Ex-
tension Program, with two additional de-
velopment flight tests scheduled for later
this calendar year. This test demonstrated
successful performance in realistic flight
environments followed by an effective
release of a development test unit from an
Air Force F-15E from Nellis AFB, Nev.
Telemetry, tracking and video data were
successfully collected. This test provides
confidence in the weapon system and
instrumentation system designs and the
hardware at its current state prior to go-
ing to a baseline design review in 2016.
The B61-12 LEP entered Development
Engineering in February 2012 after ap-
proval from the Nuclear Weapons Coun-
cil, a joint Department of Defense and
Department of Energy/NNSA organiza-
tion established to facilitate cooperation
and coordination between the two de-
partments as they fulfill their comple-
mentary agency responsibilities for U.S.
nuclear weapons stockpile management.
The B61-12 LEP is a joint Air Force and
NNSA program that preserves a critical
element of the U.S. Nuclear Triad and
demonstrates continued support for ex-
tended deterrence and assurance com-
mitments.
The B61-12 LEP refurbishes both
nuclear and non-nuclear components to
extend the bomb’s service life while im-
proving its safety, security and reliability. is where the sound barrier was broken’ or
With the incorporation of an Air Force
provided tail-kit assembly, the B61-12
will replace the existing B61-3, -4, -7,
and -10 bombs.
Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base, California July 10, 2015
www.edwards.af.mil – www.facebook.com/edwardsairforcebase
Edwards engineer, aviatrix
competes in historic air race
by Jet Fabara
412th TW Public Affairs
Female aviators and air races in the U.S. Air Force photograph by Jet Fabara
have a rich history dating back to 1929,
which originally started as the Women’s Nancy Bradshaw competed in the 39th Annual Air Race Classic, an all-women air race, which
Air Derby and included a field of 20 female took place June 22-25 across the country. Together with co-pilot Anita Mixon, from West Palm
pilots that included renowned aviatresses Beach, Fla., they flew a Cessna 172 equipped with a G1000 glass cockpit with tail number
such as Amelia Earhart, Pancho Barnes and N909ED, rented from the Edwards AFB Aero Club.
Louise Thaden.
historic event.” Bradshaw, this year’s 2,529 statute-mile race
For one 461st Flight Test Squadron engi- Together with co-pilot Anita Mixon, from began in Fredericksburg, Va.; with stops in
neer working on the F-35 Joint Strike Fight- Hickory, N.C.; Connellsville, Penn.; Jef-
er, and Edwards Aero Club member and West Palm Beach, Fla., they flew a Cessna fersonville, Ind.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Law-
pilot, Nancy Bradshaw decided to become 172 equipped with a G1000 glass cockpit
part of that legacy by competing in the 39th with tail number N909ED, rented from the See AVIATRIX, Page 6
Annual Air Race Classic, an all-women air Edwards AFB Aero Club. According to
race, which took place June 22-25, 2015.
“It’s amazing to say that we participated
in what all the greats did, especially with
the legacy Pancho Barnes has here at Ed-
wards. These women all paved the way,”
said Bradshaw. “For us, this race was a lot
easier, especially with all the modern avion-
ics, then it was for the women back then.
If you look at all the photos, research the
history of how they flew back then, they
were flying without digital instruments,
with paper maps, looking out for visual
landmarks. Even though the planning part
is different now, it was still amazing, none-
theless, to be able to participate in such an
Break out those running shoes
and get ready to ‘run with history’
ter stations, respite areas and safety vehicles. Pete Smith at 661-277-5494 or the Rosburg
by Rebecca Amber “We want to show the community the Ed- Fitness Center at 661-275-4961.
Staff writer
wards mission and let people get fit at the
The second annual Edwards Run with His- same time,” said Pete Smith, Fitness and
tory 5K, 10K and Half Marathon is coming Sports director. “Things couldn’t happen in
Oct. 3. the Air Force if it didn’t happen at Edwards
first.”
Gates will open at 5 a.m. for registered
runners and the event will start promptly at The race is open to everyone, but registra-
7 a.m. on ramp six on the flightline. tion must be completed by Sept. 10 to allow
time for each non-base affiliated runner to
Half marathon runners will go past the have their background check by the visitor
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center control enter.
onto the dry lakebed, around the compass
rose and eventually make it back to ramp six. Registration can be completed at: https://
The 5K and 10K will follow similar, short- runsignup.com/Race/CA/Edwards/Edward-
ened routes. Last year, there were 58 aircraft sAFBRunwithHistory
on display; this year, event coordinators plan
to have even more. The cost to participate is $25 for the 5K,
$35 for the 10K and $50 for the half mara-
“Gee Whiz” historical notes painted on thon.
sheets of plywood will be placed throughout
the course to highlight the test mission his- The cost covers the entrance fee, electronic
tory. They will say things like ‘Look up! This bibs, participation medal and souvenir T-
shirt. For those who don’t want to run, but
‘This is where the space shuttle used to land.’ want to get involved, there are volunteer op-
portunities available.
Along the way there will be plenty of wa-
For more information or to volunteer, call