Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, May 14, 2021

B-21 test aircraft build progresses, B-21 CTF takes shape

by Elizabeth McErlean line, tooling and procedures that
Edwards AFB, Calif. will manufacture the final produc-
tion aircraft.
Gen. Timothy Ray, the com- The workforce and managers of
mander of Air Force Global Strike the production line are using these
Command and Air Forces Strate- builds to learn and implement pro-
gic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, cess improvements well before build-
visited several organizations across ing the actual operational aircraft,
the bomber test enterprise to receive decreasing cost and build schedule.
first-hand updates on the progress of The program’s stable requirements,
the B-21 program during a visit to and its strategy to incorporate ma-
Edwards Air Force Base and Plant ture technology, have played a large
42, in California, May 5-6. part in keeping the program schedule
His first stop was to Edwards, on track to deliver operational B-21
where he met with the 419th Flight Raiders to the first main operating
Test Squadron, Global Power base in the mid-2020s.
Bomber Combined Test Force. He Maj. Gen. Christopher Azzano,
was updated on the organization’s commander of the Air Force Test
continued efforts to test upgrades to Center, highlighted that members
the B-2 Spirit in order to modernize from across AFTC, industry and
the B-2 and integrate future weapons AFOTEC have been working to-
systems. wards this day since program incep-
He then visited the 420th Flight tion and have continued to develop
Test Squadron, B-21 CTF. Ray was momentum since the Air Force first
briefed on the construct for the Com- announced the reactivation of the
bined Test Force and the benefits it historic test squadron in 2019.
will bring to bear for the B-21 pro- The transition to flight test, repre-
gram. The B-21 CTF is an integrat- sented by first flight, will be monu-
ed team of test professionals from mental event that culminates numer-
Northrop Grumman, 420th FLTS and ous risk-reduction test efforts across
Detachment 5, Air Force Operation- AFTC, setting the stage to validate Air Force photograph by Giancarlo Casem
al Test and Evaluation Center. The the B-21 design before operational Maj. Matthew Gray, 419th Flight Test Squadron, greets Gen. Timothy Ray, Air Force Global Strike Command commander,
B-21 CTF provided a comprehen- units receive the aircraft. The B-21 during his visit to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 5, 2021. The B-2 fleets continued technological advancement
sive update on the team’s readiness CTF, the organization that will ex- enables expanded strike capabilities while ensuring the aircraft can keep pace with evolving threat levels.
to support the B-21 program when it ecute first flight, is positioned at the
transitions into flight test. critical nexus of design verification
On the following day, Ray visited and combat capability validation. The tion has paved a smooth path for tran- of our nation’s strategic capabilities. not arbitrary dates, according to the
the Northrop Grumman facilities at B-21 will take on greater prominence sition into the critical flight test phase The collaborative culture in Global B-21 System Program Director and
Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Ca- as it executes key tests validating air- of the program,” Azzano said. “The Strike Command starts at the top and acquisition program lead, Col. Jason
lif., and saw the significant progress craft performance and mission capa- B-21 CTF is ready to put the nation’s runs throughout his teams in the field. Voorheis.
made on the build of the first flight bility. most sophisticated stealth bomber We are honored to support these war- “We are pleased with the progress
test aircraft that will one day make “This has been an extraordinary through its paces to ensure it is ready riors in their vital mission,” Azzano being made in the build of these test
its way to Edwards AFB for flight team effort from across the Air to support our national security needs added. articles. The Air Force and Northrop
testing. Northrop Grumman person- Force, including AFOTEC, AFGSC, as the backbone of our conventional The B-21 flight test program will Grumman are working closely togeth-
nel updated Ray on build progress Air Force Materiel Command and the and nuclear mission sets.” begin in earnest once the flight test er to make smart choices on this pro-
and the value of building those test Department of the Air Force Rapid “We were very pleased to host aircraft build is complete, which will gram to support warfighter require-
articles using the same production Capabilities Office. Their collabora- General Ray and discuss the future be driven by key maturity events, ments and timelines,” Voorheis said.
Plane Crazy Saturday presents ‘Salute to Round Engines’

The May 2021 Plane Crazy Saturday runs were produced than any other aviation piston
10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 15 at the Mojave Air and engine in the history of aviation; nearly 175,000
Space Port in Mojave, Calif. were built.
Radial engines have been used to power air- Through the war years, the engines became
craft since the early 1900s. In World War I the larger with Wright building the R-2600 twin
whole engine turned and was called a rotary en- row engine and Pratt & Whitney building the
gine. In the 1920s stationary radial engines be- R-2800, R-3350 and eventually the largest ra-
came more popular. dial ever designed, the R4360 Major Wasp, four
In 1925, Pratt & Whitney designed the rows of cylinders.
R-1340 Wasp. Later they designed multiple Many other engine companies manufactured
rows of cylinders, like the R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines, including Continental, Lycom-
with 2 rows of 7 cylinders. More Twin Wasps ing, Jacobs and many more in other countries.

Courtesy photograph
North American T-6 Texan

Some of the aircraft on display this month and social distancing will not be a concern as the
include a North American T-6 Texan, with a event is being held outdoors.
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine (owned The organizers of Plane Crazy Saturday
by Dave VanHoy); and a North American T-28 would like to thank their sponsors: Mojave
Trojan with a Wright R-1820 Radial Engine Air and Space Port, Scaled Composites, Aero-
(owned by Al Hansen). tech News and Review, Golden Queen Mining
Other beautiful radial engines that may be Company, The Loop community newspaper, the
on the flightline include a PT-17 Stearman with Rosamond News, Comfort Inn & Suites; Mis-
a Lycoming R-680 Radial Engine (owned by sion Bank- Mojave, Thom Lapworth – CivMil
Dustin Mosher and Diane Barney); and a 1944 Support; Karl’s Hardware (Mojave, Rosamond
Cessna 195 Airmaster with a Jacobs R-755B2 and Boron), and Voyager Restaurant.
Radial engine (owned by Jere Calef and Heather No dogs or other animals (except for service
Courtesy photograph
North American T-28 Trojan Benes). animals) are allowed on the flightline, and the
We will be signing Historic Aircraft forms, flightline is ‘no smoking’ area.
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