 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2008) |
Arnold Engineering Development Complex | |
|---|---|
 An F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter model in the Arnold Engineering Development Center's 16-foot transonic wind tunnel | |
| Active | 1950–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Test facility |
| Part of | Air Force Test Center, Air Force Materiel Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee |
| Nickname(s) | AEDC |
| Patron | Gen Henry "Hap" Arnold |
| Decorations | Air Force Organizational Excellence Award |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Col. Grant A. Mizell |
| Insignia | |
| Arnold Engineering Development Complex emblem |  |
The Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), Arnold Engineering Development Center before July 2012, is an Air Force Materiel Command facility under the control of the Air Force Test Center (AFTC). Named for General Henry "Hap" Arnold, the father of the U.S. Air Force, AEDC is the most advanced and largest complex of flight simulation test facilities in the world.[1]
Headquartered at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, the Complex also operates from geographically separated units at Ames Research Center, Mountain View and Edwards AFB, California; Peterson AFB, Colorado; Eglin AFB, Florida; the Federal Research Center at White Oak, Maryland; Holloman AFB, Kirtland AFB, and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and Hill AFB, Utah. AEDC operates more than 68 test facilities, including, but not limited to, aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges, sled tracks, centrifuges, and other specialized test units.[2]
AEDC conducts developmental testing and evaluation through modeling, simulation, ground, and flight testing. Testing aims to evaluate aircraft, missile, and space systems/subsystems at the flight conditions they will experience during a mission. The complex aims to be the best value U.S. ground test and analysis source for aerospace and defense systems.[3]
- ^ Norris, Daizha (7 August 2018). "Arnold Engineering Development Center". NASA. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "ARNOLD ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT COMPLEX". Arnold Air Force Base. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
- ^ Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Test Facility Guide https://www.arnold.af.mil/Portals/49/documents/AFD-080625-010.pdf?ver=2016-06-16-100801-260