The U.S. Air Force has opened its Flight Test Engineering Lab, or FTEL, at Edwards Air Force Base which will develop advanced warfighting capabilities.
The laboratory will test electro-optics/infrared sensors, long-range kill chain data link capabilities and digital twin tools to accelerate the development of innovative combat technologies, USAF said Thursday. The goal is for FTEL to help the service build modern warfare tools to combat emerging global threats.
Meeting US Military’s Evolving Requirements
According to Paul Waters, director of the 412th Test Engineering Group, the lab will play a crucial role in meeting the U.S. military’s evolving requirements. The facility will enable USAF to produce “weapons systems that can detect and engage targets more effectively.” “By refining advanced sensors, data links and validated models, we are preparing our forces for an increasingly complex global security environment,” Waters explained.
He added that FTEL will help the Air Force train its workforce, noting that the laboratory features “three state-of-the-art training rooms” to expedite the development of young USAF engineers.
Costing $41.35 million, the FTEL is a massive undertaking, a hub designed to develop and deploy more effective and adaptable tools to protect U.S. national security.
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