EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Welcome to the monthly mission report for the 96th Operations Group. These are the tasks Airmen and civilians are progressing on inside the squadrons and units within the group.
46th Test Squadron
Weather Web
The squadron conducted developmental tests of Air Force Weather Web Services at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. The automated and manual testing focused on the services ability to receive, store and display air, land and sea data from internal and joint sources.
Miniature Air Launched Decoy X
Squadron Airmen conducted a developmental test on the MALD-X flight software here at the Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility. This test effort was the first over-the-air LINK 16 connection between a simulated MALD-X system and the 46th Test Squadron Datalinks Test Facility. The objective of the MALD-X system is to improve offensive electronic warfare payload capabilities and tactical datalink integration.
780th Test Squadron
Penetrator Warhead
The squadron successfully conducted three 40-ft test drops of a live advanced 2,000-pound penetrator warhead to collect data on the response. The purpose of these tests was to collect data on the insensitive munitions and environmental characteristics of the A2K warhead in different configurations.
Bomb testing
Squadron aircrew successfully dropped a B61-12 bomb via F-15 over water this month. This marked the beginning of developmental testing for the weapon.
GAU-8 replica parts
The squadron’s 3D printer created plastic replicas of parts found on the GAU-8 system. These models will become training aids for students to see how the different parts fit together and highlight critical items within the system. Since the part replicas are made of plastic resins, it is very easy to transport. They can be used when a Munitions Rapid Response Team is called to an aircraft incident involving the gun system or ammunition. During such an incident, the team must determine the cause of the mishap and these parts allow the team to see what pieces of each part have not been recovered. The replicas enable the team to draw better conclusions to what occurred leading to the mishap.