"lfk f; \"A Lt. - Airborne Systems

ity which can hoist the load abovE tre ground to a
release height suffcient to p'ovide a: impact a oesired
vertical velocity, and usually lTeans to impart a horizontal
(maximum wi1d drift or glide) velocity334 335
A mooile or fixed crane of propEr height and lift
capacity will setisfy vertical velocity requirements,
Horjzontal velocity has been provided by more sophisticated
test structures employing an inciined rail
or pendulum principle.
TEST FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Several test ranges exist within the continental
United St'ltes which are fully,fnstrumented fmd have
been used extf:nsively for free flight test Qperations of
mi, siles, drones, aircraft and other vehicles, many of
which employ recovery systems. These ranges have
provided cpmplete vehicle systems testing, and in
same cases. subsystem af component testing of decelerators
and ather related subsvstems. They are capable
of supporting flight tests with high performance
aircraft or other launch means. Most ranges hav- the
equipment to obtain accurate trajectory di!ta and
excellent photographic coverage of a test vehicle in
flght, recording such events as deployment and
behavior of a trailng deceferator with real.time correlation.
Some have laboratory test equipment and
other support testing capabilities.
Wind tunnels, normally used on a continuous basis
to support aircraft and missile aerodynamic research
and development, are usually available far decelerator
vtfth high-
testing. TlJOse with large "ass-sections or
spef:d low-density air-flow, have been particularJv
useful for parachute teSting.
In this section, range facilities, tf!stfng equipment
and graund based instrumentation (tre briefly describfJd
which have been used in recovery system development.
Instrumented Ranges
Test range facilities an:: capabilities are identified
and SUlTmarized in Table 5,3. Only una test range is
devoted exclusively to recovery system research. devel.
opmen:. test and evaluation. Data containec In the
table a' s genera! ir nature, suitable only for preliminary
planning purposes. A prospective user ShOl;!d
contact the test range for specific data regarding requirements
and schedules when enticipating use of
facilities. Table 5. lists types of recovery system
tests of test methods, and variOL;S test suppo't services
available. Ground instrumentatiun emoloyed at tre
variOLis ranges and other support services are described
starting on page 232.
213
Edwards Air Force
Air Force Flight Test Center.
Base, California is located 100 mile:; north of Los
Angeles. The test range is approximately 5 miles wide
by 14 miles long. The prin:ipaluse of the range is the
flight testing of aircraft. Development of parachutes
and rela:ed CO'Toonents tr. rough the use of air launch
and gravity drop testing techniques can be performed
on this range. Human escape methods, aerial speed
retardation and landing of personnel. material equipment
, and all aspects of recov8ry, rescue and survival
are included in the total scope.
"'acilities for test prepClrali::m of parachutes and
test vehicles for aircraft launch are aV8ilable, Various
types of ground handl ing equipment and a'rborne test
vehicles are in inver'torv. Suopon services prl!vided
by the base inclL:de test vehicle preparation. checkout,
parachute handling and test hardware retrieval.
Chase and search airplanes and helicopters are avail-
Dble. Optical and photographic data are acquired by
real-time corxdinated cinetheodolites and tracking
motion picture cameras. Other data are obtained
with teleml:try. Photo processing and data reduction
can be provided.
White Sands Missile Range. The White Sands test
complex is a combination of test ranges and facilities
located in south cer1tral New Mexico The principal
test area is the US Arcny Whi:e ds Missile Range
with headquarters located 60 miles north of EI Paso,
Texas. The range is approximately 48 miles wide by
100 miles in length , with range area ex,:ensions
(shown in FigurE 5. 19) which can be placed under
ground and airspace contra!. Its principal use is for
missile and gunnery development by the US Army,
but Its various drop range areas arB also used by the
other armed services and NASA for operatiors from
their o\'vn launch and test bases. The NASA Wliite
SS1ds Test Facilty Fort Bliss and Holloman Air
Force Base facHities greatly enrance the overall
capability :If the White Sands test complex.
Radar. oPtics. weather data and telemetry are
coupled to a real-tilTe data system with total range
communications for data reduction purposes. or they
can be used independently with the smaller area plotting
facilities. Holloman Air Force Base is located
40 miles nortreast of White Sands::n the eastern
border of the range, and 15 miles west of Alamogarda,
New Mexico. Facilities useful for recovery system
and decelerator development are rocket launch
areas, a high speed test track and a high altitude balloon
launch facility. Excellent work areas are on
hand with ground handling equipment available for
most sizes of test vehicles. /\mple ground vehicles
cranes, weapons carriers , trucks , airplanes and helicop
ters are availaole for search and retrieval.