Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office
The Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office (AFSEO), part of the 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB, FL, is the United States Air Force's (USAF) center of expertise for the SEEK EAGLE Program. The AFSEO leverages data to conduct Aircraft-Store Compatibility (ASC) engineering and maintains the SEEK EAGLE Data Repository, ensuring safe and acceptable aircraft-store combinations in accordance with military standards, handbooks, and best practices.
Key Definitions:
- SEEK EAGLE Program: The Program of Record and the overarching, standardized framework for ensuring the safe and effective integration of stores (weapons, pods, etc.) with aircraft. The SEEK EAGLE Program is funded through the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (SAF/AQP). Headquarters Air Combat Command (ACC/A5T) oversees program requirements.
- SEEK EAGLE Process: The specific, step-by-step methodology defined by regulations and guidelines (DAFI 63-101/20-101 and AFPAM 63-129) used to achieve the goals of the SEEK EAGLE Program. It outlines the procedures, evaluations, and analyses required to certify that an aircraft can safely and effectively carry, release, load, and unload a particular store.
- Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office (AFSEO): Designated by SAF/AQ as the primary source for SEEK EAGLE certification technical support and the central repository for SEEK EAGLE data. The AFSEO team of engineers, analysts, and support staff conducts evaluations, maintains the data repository, provides technical expertise, and issues recommendations to aircraft SPOs to support DT, OT, and fielding of aircraft-store systems. Unless waived, the aircraft PM uses the AFSEO's engineering services, facilities, and capabilities.
Engineering Analysis:
The AFSEO utilizes a wide range of engineering disciplines and tools to generate engineering rationale and recommendations, including:
- Wind tunnel testing
- Fitment and functional checks
- Modeling and simulation
- Data analysis
The AFSEO's engineering core comprises technical teams with expertise in the following areas:
- Store Fit:
- Comprehensive database of 3-dimensional aircraft and store models
- Computerized fit checks
- Assessment of store fit through models created from engineering drawings or photogrammetry
- Ballistics:
- Database of aerodynamic and ballistic information for munitions
- Mathematical modeling for fuze arming and function
- Software verification/validation for the weapon delivery portion of Operational Flight Programs
- Store Carriage and Release:
- Aircraft and store loads
- Aircraft flutter
- Vibration
- Aircraft stability and control
- Store Separation Analysis
- Ground and Flight Test Support
- Electro-Magnetic Interference/Compatibility
- Combat Weapons Delivery Software:
- Single source for aircraft delivery planning for all fighter and bomber mission planning in the USAF
- Supports a wide range of munitions
- Incorporates USAF-Certified safe escape and safe separation methodology
- Safe Escape:
- Minimum Release Altitudes
- Safe separation times for safe fuze arming
- Test, chase plane, and aircraft deconfliction analysis
- Information-Based Tools:
- Historical data on thousands of compatibility actions for use to clear new configurations by analogy
- Mass and physical measurement with a computerized library of over 1,500 stores
Central Data Repository:
The AFSEO serves as the central repository for all SEEK EAGLE data. Aircraft and store program offices are required to provide all Air Force aircraft-store compatibility engineering data to the AFSEO, regardless of whether the AFSEO's services are directly utilized.
Training:
The AFSEO offers the SK-100 Aircraft Store Compatibility Familiarization training course, which provides an overview of certification and ASC processes.
SEEK EAGLE Planning Summit (SEPS):
The AFSEO hosts the annual SEPS, providing a forum for warfighters, program managers, and other stakeholders to discuss current and future SEEK EAGLE and aircraft store compatibility efforts.
Contact Information:
The Requirements and Plans Division serves as the initial point of contact ("Front Door") for the AFSEO and assists with all customer requests. The 96 SK/SKW verifies the accuracy and completeness of requirements and works with customers to ensure their needs are met. Contact the 96 SK/SKW Requirements and Plans Division (96sk.skw@us.af.mil) as early as possible to avoid delays in your program.
The AFSEO assists both DoD and non-DoD customers, as well as Foreign Military Sales cases. Providing information and data early will help the AFSEO expedite your program. For additional information on the AFSEO and requirements for submitting a SEEK EAGLE request, click on the link ahead: AFSEO customer information document