Editing Edwards Air Force Base (section)

==== Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5 ====
: AFOTEC Detachment 5** is responsible for conducting the operational test and evaluation of USAF aircraft and avionics systems. Certification by Detachment 5 is required for new aircraft prior to AFMC full-rate production and combat fielding decisions. Detachment 5 personnel are integrated into the Flight Test Center's combined test squadrons and provide a critical operating perspective during developmental flight testing to help prepare systems for their final operational test and evaluation.
: {{small|** Note: An AFOTEC Detachment 3 is an unconfirmed geographically separated unit, which may be assigned to a remote facility of Edwards AFB at [[Groom Lake]], Nevada, that may perform similar testing as Detachment 5 on weapons systems not publicly identified. During 1978 and 1979, an AFFTC test pilot and a pair of flight test engineers were engaged in proof-of-concept testing with Lockheed's "low-observable" technology demonstrator, dubbed "Have Blue". The successful conduct of these tests led immediately to the development of the [[F-117A Nighthawk]], the world's first operational stealth fighter.}}

[[File:B-2 Sprirt Rollout - 22 November 1988.jpg|thumb|Northrop B-2A roll-out ceremony on 22 November 1988 at USAF Plant 42, Palmdale, California]]