WESP Features Worksheet

Unit: 49TES Test and Evaluation Squadron (49TES)

Location: Barksdale AFB, Louisiana

Commander: Lt Col Thomas “Jake” Jacobson

Personnel: (Military and civilian combined) 94 Authorized, 82 Assigned (includes attached Security NCO)

Unit Mission: (100 words or less):

The mission of the 49 TESTS is to evaluate performance, reliability, and suitability of precision weapons and aircraft hardware/software systems. We also plan and execute B-52H operational test and evaluation (OT&E), tactics development and evaluation (TD&E) for conventional weapons system evaluation program (WSEP) and all nuclear bomber/fighter weapon system evaluation programs (NucWSEP). Our results validate CAF combat capability/national defense requirements.

Current Projects:

1.ACC is committed to conducting a continuous evaluation of conventional and nuclear weapon system reliability, suitability, and accuracy (WSEP and NucWSEP). The programs conduct and evaluate an end-to-end, stockpile-to-target force development evaluation (FDE) under the most operationally realistic conditions possible. NucWSEP evaluates the full spectrum of ACC nuclear-tasked operational weapon systems to include cruise missiles and gravity weapons, carrier aircraft, aircrew, and weapon delivery avionics. Additionally, maintenance and munitions personnel, technical orders and manuals, other associated support systems and the command and control process and procedures are included. The 49TES, under the AWFC, 53WG, and 53TEG, accomplish FDEs of conventional and nuclear cruise missiles, gravity nuclear bombs, and various precision guided weapons. These test programs meet the needs of HQ USSTRATCOM, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and HQ ACC.

2.Tests conducted by the 49TES are accomplished at various testing facilities using assorted test platforms. Facilities include the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR), the Tonopah Test Range (TTR) and Eglin Test Ranges. Conventional and nuclear weapons are tested from the B-52, F-15, and F-16 aircraft. The 49TES will normally accomplish 6 cruise missile and 3 gravity bomb missions each year. For Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM), and Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM) missions, one cruise missile is launched on a mission day and will fly its preprogrammed profile to its intended target. If two missiles are scheduled for launch during the test window, 48 hours later the same B-52 will fly from home station and launch the second cruise missile and complete the requirements for that particular WSEP/NucWSEP. There is a tremendous amount of test coordination required prior to a WSEP. A cruise missile requires the flight trajectory be planned by the 608 AOG at Offutt AFB, NE. The trajectory is electronically transmitted to the operational bomb wing and the 49TES. Mission essential documents and aircraft software materials are generated and sent to all supporting agencies. Test range computers are updated so that mission control personnel can monitor and control the free-flight missile during its entire flight profile. An NKC-135 aircraft named "Big Crow" flies 10-20 miles in trail of all missiles. The big crow is a telemetry (TM) relay and remote command and control/flight termination safety aircraft. The TM aircraft will continuously receive and record TM streams from the free flying missile. Big Crow simultaneously retransmits the TM to the test range mission control room where deployed 49TES team members monitor flight performance of the air vehicle. The missile trajectory can be controlled by Big Crow or mission control personnel if required to insure mission safety. The missile is tracked by range scoring devices from launch to the final fuzing and impact area. Test range telemetry and scoring data is recorded, reproduced, and sent to the 49TES for final analysis and end of test report preparation. The Federal Aviation Agency requires chase aircraft fly in formation with a free-flight missile when outside of restricted airspace. The CALCM is a full-up payload that detonates at the planned fuze point. Therefore, the trajectory is planned so the missile will stay inside of the restricted airspace thereby alleviating the requirements for visual chase. NucWSEP ALCM and ACM missiles are denuclearized by replacing the actual warhead with an instrumented telemetry gathering and RCC/FTS payload designed and produced by the Sandia Corporation. These missiles fly a more operationally realistic profile out of restricted airspace and require chase aircraft for eyes-on flight safety de-confliction. The 422nd and 85th Flight Test Squadrons, under the 53TEG, are the test squadrons supporting chase requirements. They will normally fly 4 F-15/F-16 aircraft with each cruise missile. The 49TES schedules tanker aircraft to provide air refueling support for the chase aircraft during the entire flight. The CALCM flies approximately 1.5 hours and the ALCM/ACM will average 4-5 hours. After missile impact, a helicopter will transport 49TES and range EOD personnel to the impact site to recover explosive and security sensitive material.

3. Gravity bomb testing is included in the NucWSEP program. B-52, F-15, and F-16 aircrews from operational squadrons mission plan and fly to test ranges. Normally, the TTR is used for the aircraft profile, bomb releases, and scoring. The aircraft release bombs that have been denuclearized by Sandia Corporation and NNSA technicians, much the same way as cruise missile missions. A typical profile will include single releases of two to four B-61/B-83 weapons. A flight may also incorporate the release of bomb dummy units which will provide additional test data to requiring agencies. Data from the WSEP mission is then reduced by test range personnel and provided to the 49TES and Sandia for analysis and report generation.

4. Some WSEP programs the 49TES has been involved with have run the course of their operational usefulness and have been cancelled. Newer programs are becoming a priority and are part of the squadron testing. Not all programs are WSEP, but will be part of WSEP as they evolve and are integrated into the aircraft systems. New programs include:

- JASSM OT&E

- Avionics Midlife Improvement (AMI)

- B52 Weapons Interface

- JSOW DT/OT

- Situational Awareness Defensive Improvement (SADI)

- Electronic Counter Measures Improvement (ECMI)

- Family Airborne Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) terminals (FAB-T)

- CALCM in-flight BLOS rapid Re-tasking (CIBR2)

- B-52 Avionic Advanced Risk Reduction (BAARR)

- Litening II QRT/ GBU-12 SEEK EAGLE

- JDAM JPF

5. In June of 1921, the service began participation in bombing testing under Gen Billy Mitchell. We “Meet the Challenge” in testing of bombers still today! We’ve been around and are here to stay. In 1991, experts from the 49TES flew in operation "Desert Storm". At that time this was the longest combat sortie in history, 35 hours. These sorties brought a new capability, the CALCM, to theatre commanders. The need for the 49TES will never go away as long as weapon systems evolve in the areas of hardware, software, tactics, reliability, accuracy, maintainability, and changing real-world requirements. Testing will continue throughout the weapons life cycles.