RISK-REDUCTION FLIGHT A SUCCESS AVIONICS MODERNIZATION PROGRAM TESTED.Byline: - Daily News EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. - After undergoing several months of modifications, members from the 418 Flight Test Squadron here successfully performed the first Avionics Modernization Program, or AMP, risk-reduction flight on an MC-130E Combat Talon I on March 15. Risk-reduction flights are being conducted in order to determine the performance of the new terrain-following radar and algorithms that produce a visual cue for the pilots to fly, said Maj. Scott Dickson, 418th FLTS FLTS Flats (street type) FLTS Flight Test Squadron (Air Force Flight Test Center) FLTS Flat Size (US Postal Service) FLTS Flight Line Test Set test pilot. The MC-130E first arrived at Edwards in October 2004 from the 919th Special Operations Wing's Duke Field near Eglin Air Force Base Eglin Air Force Base is the home of the United States Air Force 96th Air Base Wing of the Air Force Materiel Command, and is also headquarters for more than 45 associate units. , Fla., Dickson said. ``During the flight, we performed terrain following testing to ensure that AFSOC AFSOC Air Force Special Operations Command AFSOC Air Force special operations component (US DoD) (Air Force Special Operations Command Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) was established 22 May, 1990,with headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Fla. AFSOC is a United States Air Force (USAF) major command and is the air component to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), a unified command ) is getting all the capabilities they need,'' said Jan Tomeny, 418th FLTS lead flight test engineer for AMP. ``Additionally, the risk reduction is performed to make sure we're fielding the plane in a timely manner.'' Eight different models of the C-130 are scheduled to undergo AMP testing, said Dave King, 418th FLTS C-130 AMP project manager. Three other models are scheduled to be tested for the AMP modifications at AFSOC's Hurlburt Field near Eglin. The AMP program upgrades include a glass cockpit with heads-up display, which allows pilots to gather information while looking outside the cockpit. Also, a new radome that protects the new radar is being evaluated with these tests, said Tomeny. Other upgrades include a modern multifunction radar, new communications systems to comply with Global Air Traffic Management avionics upgrades to meet Air Force Navigation Safety requirements, a flight management system and an air data computer. In addition, new instruments will be made compatible with night-vision goggles goggles, n the protective eyewear worn by dental personnel and patients during dental procedures. goggles see periocular leukotrichia. , according to Aeronautical aer·o·nau·tic also aer·o·nau·ti·cal adj. Of or relating to aeronautics. aer  o·nau Systems Center Public Affairs. Another C-130 model aircraft is undergoing the complete AMP modification in San Antonio and will return to Edwards for further testing in December. |
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