Cloaked in frost

EGLIN AFB, Fla. -- An MV-22B Osprey from Pax River, Md., is undergoing a variety tests at McKinley Climatic Lab. The tests conducted check out the heating and cooling capabilities of the environmental control system in the aircraft cabin. The ECS is powered by the auxillary power unit. The first set of tests were conducted at high temperatures while being exposed to solar radiation inside the lab. The ECS was tested to see if the it could cool the cabin after the aircraft had been exposed to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. After the hot portion of the test was complete, the MV-22 Osprey was exposed to cold temperatures. The aircraft was soaked in temperatures dipping below zero. The ECS was also tested to see if it could heat the cabin. Anticipated temperature ranges are from 125 to -65 degrees Fahrenheit over the two-week period. ((USAF photo/Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)