News

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – On Jan. 21, 2021, the multi-year efforts of many, yielded the desired results with a successful air-on test run in the Arnold Engineering Development Complex 16-foot supersonic wind tunnel, or 16S, and return to service of the test facility.

“Wind Tunnel 16S will provide the nation a significant capability to rapidly develop weapon systems critical to the National Defense Strategy,” said Lt. Col. John McShane, Aerodynamics Test Branch Materiel leader. “We can now assess weapon system performance in a controlled environment at parts of the envelope that were previously unattainable.” [Read more…] about AEDC 16-foot supersonic wind tunnel restored to operational status

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – Many look to spend their vacations with their toes in the sand, soaking up some rays at the beach. Others may prefer the seclusion offered by a stay in a mountain cabin. Still some may enjoy the comforts of home and choose to “staycation” during their time off.

David Taylor does not fit into any of these categories.

Taylor, a machinist with National Aerospace Solutions, LLC, the Test Operations and Sustainment contractor for Arnold Engineering Development Complex, which is headquartered at Arnold Air Force Base, has no desire to take it easy during his time away from work. Instead, he looks to get his hands dirty for a good cause. [Read more…] about Arnold AFB craftsman uses downtime to lift others up

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – Though snow days are fairly few and far between for Tennessee, whenever inclement weather does occur during the cold, winter months, the Heavy Equipment crew that oversees roads maintenance at Arnold Air Force Base is ready to tackle it head-on and keep the streets on base safe.

“When there’s a forecasted chance of snow or ice, our goal is to keep the roadways as safe as possible so we can get everyone to and from work,” said Tom Penfold, facilities manager for Base Operations and Support with Chugach, the subcontractor for National Aerospace Solutions, LLC, at Arnold. [Read more…] about Heavy Equipment crew at Arnold AFB helps keep roadways safe if winter weather strikes

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – The team at Arnold Engineering Development Complex’s National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex, or NFAC, which includes members of National Aerospace Solutions LLC (NAS), recently added rain simulation to the organization’s portfolio of capabilities.

The F-16 System Program Office has been trying to address an issue with rain pooling on the canopy of the aircraft and reducing pilot visibility. Pilots try to avoid flying through inclement weather, but pop-up storms present an unavoidable risk. Because pilots avoid such flying conditions, field testing provides limited opportunities to gather data on proposed solutions. [Read more…] about NFAC tests solutions to poor pilot visibility in inclement weather