Edwards Air Force Base is located in California’s Antelope Valley, Approximately 100 miles North of Los Angeles.  It is the premier flight-test and flight-research center in the world.

Originally named Muroc Army Air Field, on October 14, 1947, USAF Captain Charles E. “Chuck” Yeagar became the first pilot to exceed the speed of sound while flying the Bell X-1.  On October 3, 1967 Captain William J. “Pete” Knight became the fastest man alive flying the rocket powered North American X-15 to Mach 6.5 at Edwards AFB.

The list of aircraft tested at Edwards AFB is extensive, including the following aircraft Century Series Planes during the 50’s and early 60’s F-100, F-101, F-102, F-104, F-105, F-106, F-107, F-110 (later renamed F-4C) and the F-111.  Also in 60’s the C-5 Galaxy, XB-70, YF-12, and SR-71 were tested.  The 70’s brought in the A-10, B-1, F-15 and F-16.  The Northrop F-20 first flight in August 1982; Northrop YF-23 in August 1990. Also Lockheed YF-22 in October 1990.  In total, more than 100 types of aircraft have made either their first take-off or landing at Edwards.

The weather at Edwards is perfect for testing as it has 345+ sunny days per year.  It is at an elevation of 2,300 feet and averages 4 inches of rain per year.  At Edwards there is Rogers Dry Lake, which is 12.5 miles long and 5 miles wide and Rosamond Dry Lake which is 5 miles long and 5 miles wide.  These dry lakebed runways are perfect for testing a land-speed record vehicle.

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