52-728: The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center ( AFNWC ) is a USAF Named Unit, assigned to the Air Force Materiel Command at Kirtland Air Force Base , New Mexico. The AFNWC operates at the Center level of the AFMC. It is currently under the command of Major General John P. Newberry. Established on 31 March 2006, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) is Air Force Materiel Command 's (AFMC) center of expertise for nuclear weapon systems. The AFNWC
104-401: A parachute to a bomb to delay delivery, which allowed for the aircrew to release the bomb and escape before it exploded. The goal of an early project was to determine the feasibility of delivering a parachute-retarded thermonuclear weapon weighing more than 40,000 pounds, the heaviest nuclear weapons in the stockpile, from altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet. One early effort was the development of
156-410: A part of air power, two new locations for Test and Evaluation (T&E) were created. The Special Weapons Center (SWC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico concentrated on the technologies supporting nuclear weapons development. Hanscom Air Force Base , Massachusetts concentrated on new levels of sophistication in electronics and avionics development. However, both locations were closed for testing in
208-423: A system that could retard the fall of either a TX-14 or a TX-16 weapon , both heavy airburst bombs, from altitudes of 40,000 feet to 4,000 feet from a Convair B-36 Peacemaker . In September 1953, the group was reorganized into squadrons. Prior to 1956, individual task groups had been organized for each set of nuclear tests. However, these proved inadequate, gathering equipment at the last minute, then seeing
260-554: A technical liaison with the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project , AEC, and others. The group included bomber, fighter, and helicopter pilots; bombardiers; nuclear project engineers; depot level modification personnel; aerial cameramen; and crew chiefs and crews. Each had to have AEC “Q” clearance, a background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that went back 15 years. The group
312-410: Is a discontinued United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 4901st Support Wing (Atomic), at Kirtland Air Force Base , New Mexico, where it was discontinued on 31 August 1961. Known as "The Megaton Blasters", the 4925th was responsible for the development flight testing of all USAF nuclear weapon delivery systems including conducting live test drops from 1951 though 1956. Following 1956
364-498: Is the Air Force's nuclear-focused center, synchronizing all aspects of nuclear materiel management in support of Air Force Global Strike Command . Its headquarters are located at Kirtland AFB , New Mexico and it has the following subordinate units. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the Air Force's only organization dedicated to leading the discovery, development and integration of technologies in air, space and cyber for
416-589: Is the major unit located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base , Ohio . There are also nine additional AFMC host bases. In addition, the command operates associate units and tenant activities on several non-AFMC bases, including the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base , New Mexico . The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) serves as the single intermediate-level headquarters responsible for providing installation and mission support capabilities. Its headquarters are located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland , Texas and it has
468-642: Is the single AFMC voice for integrating nuclear weapon systems requirements and nuclear weapon system resource management. The origin of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center began during the post- World War II following the Manhattan Project , which was designed by the United States Army from the outset to be a temporary organization to produce a nuclear weapon . With the end of the war, the establishment of
520-825: The Soviet Union were rising. Initially part of Continental Air Command and Air Materiel Command , the center was established as the Air Force Special Weapons Command as a Major Command of the United States Air Force on 1 December 1949. It was equal to the Air Defense Command , Strategic Air Command , and Tactical Air Command . It assumed all functions of the World War II Atomic Tactical and Technical Liaison Committees, its mission
572-500: The TX-28 with the swept-wing Republic F-84F Thunderstreak . Aircraft modifications included pylon and weapon loading and compatibility and electrical checks of the special weapons control systems. Flights determined aerodynamic loads, vibration, stability and control affects in straight and level, dive and Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) maneuvers at various airspeeds, altitudes, and release and dive angles. In 1957, AFSWC, including
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#1732780699847624-640: The United States Army 's Aeronautical Division of the Signal Corps (United States Army) , acquired several examples of the Wright Military Flyer of 1909 . USAAF / USAF aircraft Research and Development (R&D) was merged with aircraft procurement twice in the 20th century (e.g., 1944, 1992). Air Materiel Command was established on March 9, 1946, and in November 1946, AMC's History Office published Materiel Research and Development in
676-743: The Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base . The center provides depot maintenance, supply chain management and installation support. In 2015, the command officially activated its sixth center, the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center , which provides centralized management of installation and mission support. The center is located at Joint Base San Antonio , Texas. Air Force Materiel Command conducts research, development, test and evaluation, and provides acquisition management services and logistics support. AFMC headquarters
728-453: The group focused on operational methods and equipment for delivering nuclear weapons. It was discontinued when Air Force Systems Command replaced Air Research and Development Command and components of its mission were distributed among other units. The group was established in 1948 as the 3170th Special Weapons following a decision to consolidate all USAF special weapons activities under Air Force Special Weapons Command (AFSWC). It
780-806: The "Z Division" at Sandia Base and later the Sandia National Laboratory led to the creation of a United States Army Air Forces organization to coordinate military activities with the civilian research organization in 1946. On 18 September 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 , separating the Army Air Forces from the Army by creating the independent United States Air Force . The newly formed Air Force began assuming activities with nuclear research laboratories as Cold War tensions with
832-416: The 1960s to simulate nuclear effects such as transient radiation, X-rays , and electromagnetic pulse (EMP). The Special Weapons Center took over management of Air Force Systems Command 's test and evaluation facilities at Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo, New Mexico, during the summer of 1970. And, just one year later on 1 July 1971, Kirtland merged with Manzano and Sandia Base , its neighbors to
884-490: The 4901st Special Weapons Wing had administrative control over the groups, with the 4905th Maintenance and Supply Group and the 4910th Air Base Group serving as support and the base host, respectively, while the 4925th Special Weapons Group was the group actively involved with atomic testing. In January 1950, President Truman directed the Atomic Energy Commission to emphasize thermonuclear research, with
936-615: The 4925th Special Weapons Group. In July 1951, the 4925th Special Weapons Group was redesignated the 4925th Test Group (Atomic) and continued for 11 years as an important component of Kirtland 's nuclear responsibilities. SWC's responsibilities expanded in July 1951 to include monitoring the Military Weapons Effects Program, the ongoing series of full-scale nuclear tests, and exercising overall control over participating USAF personnel. The 4930th Test Support Group
988-631: The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. The Nuclear Weapons Center, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Systems Directorate at Hill AFB, Utah provides technical support to Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman (SELM) tests. The tests verify the reliability of the LGM-30 Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile. SELM replaces key components at the Launch Control Center to allow a physical "keyturn" by missile combat crew members. This test allows end-to-end verification in
1040-529: The Air Materiel Command and assuming the latter's supply and maintenance roles. The material procurement role was transferred. On the same date, Air Force Systems Command was also established at Andrews Air Force Base , Maryland, assuming the R&;D role of the former Air Research and Development Command while also inheriting AMC's materiel procurement role. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC)
1092-705: The Army Air Arm, 1914-1945 . In 1947, AMC bases were transferred to the newly established United States Air Force , with facilities such as the storage depot in Maywood, California , being renamed Cheli Air Force Station . On April 1, 1961, as part of the DoD reorganization under President John F. Kennedy and his Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara , the Air Force Logistics Command was established at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base , replacing
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#17327806998471144-537: The B-36H Peacemaker, B-45 Tornado, B-47 Stratojet, B-57 Canberra, and B-66 Destroyer bombers. These were paired with fission and thermonuclear bombs, both established and those in development. In 1960, the 4950th Test Group was inactivated and the 4926th Test Squadron returned to the 4925th Test Group. The group was inactivated in 1961 following the 1958 moratorium agreed to by the United States and
1196-458: The ICBM launch process. The information obtained from tests provide a complete assessment of the weapon systems for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). Back in the 1970s, the 44th Strategic Missile Wing hosted "Giant Pace Test 74-1," the first SELM exercise. Eleven sorties underwent successful simulated launch from LCC and ALCS. In an effort to simplify nuclear sustainment and acquisition,
1248-698: The Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) Bombing Range near Edwards. The group also participated in drops at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake Bombing Range, California, Tonopah Test Range , Nevada, White Sands Missile Range , New Mexico, and at Kirtland Air Force Base ’s Bombing Range at Isleta Pueblo , New Mexico. The group participated in AFSWC Development Directorate instigated projects such as adding
1300-684: The Nuclear Weapons Center was reorganized again in 2015. The 377th Air Base Wing was transferred to Air Force Global Strike Command and maintenance activities in Europe to United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa effective 1 October 2015. At that time, the AFNWC commander became dual-hatted as the Program Executive Officer for Strategic Systems aligning the sustainment activities previously handled by
1352-605: The US Air and Space Forces. Its headquarters are located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio and it has the following subordinate units. The mission of the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC) is to provide sustainment and logistics readiness. The center provides integrated logistics and sustainment to the Air Force through depot maintenance, supply chain management and installation support. Its headquarters are located at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma and it has
1404-685: The aircraft and crew to return from attacks safely. The 4925th Special Weapons Group's mission was to marry nuclear weapons to all suitable types of aircraft, establish the ballistics of each type of nuclear weapon on precision bomb ranges, support the AEC with live test drops at Nevada and in the Pacific, and fly through and sample radioactive nuclear clouds after explosions at test drops. The group also recommended military characteristics and requirements for special weapons, provided facilities for training programs, and maintained an instrumentation laboratory and
1456-517: The amalgamation of the former Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC) and the former Air Force Systems Command (AFSC). AFMC is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton , Ohio . AFMC is one of nine Air Force Major Commands and has a workforce of approximately 80,000 military and civilian personnel. It is the Air Force's largest command in terms of funding and second in terms of personnel. AFMC's operating budget represents 31 percent of
1508-482: The center with the acquisition functions handled by the Program Executive Officer. [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Air Force Materiel Command The Air Force Materiel Command ( AFMC ) is a Major Command ( MAJCOM ) of the United States Air Force (USAF). AFMC was created on July 1, 1992, through
1560-466: The closure of Kelly Air Force Base as an independent installation, with incorporation of its runways and remaining military flight line areas as the Kelly Field Annex to adjacent Lackland Air Force Base . The Sacramento Air Logistics Center at McClellan Air Force Base was also closed/privatized and McClellan Air Force Base totally closed. McClellan became a totally civilian airport with
1612-610: The command. Its mission was to ensure the atomic capability of aircraft and missiles. During the 1950s, assigned personnel and aircraft participated in atmospheric nuclear tests in Nevada and the Pacific Proving Grounds . The first Air Force scientific capabilities at the base were created during the mid-1950s. Biophysicists deliberately flew aircraft through nuclear clouds to determine radiation hazards. Engineers also launched sounding rockets so physicists could study
Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center - Misplaced Pages Continue
1664-535: The east, creating the sprawling military complex known as Kirtland Air Force Base. The center then began providing base support services and continued to do so for the next five years, while Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency , became a major base tenant rather than the base host organization. Because of budget restrictions and the need to save money, the Air Force Special Weapons Center was disestablished on 1 April 1976. In 1976 AFSWC
1716-456: The effects of high-altitude nuclear explosions and the nature of the recently discovered Van Allen radiation belts around the Earth. From the early years of Cold War , the need to test and evaluate supersonic aircraft technologies, associated munitions, and eventually space systems, required the Air Force to build specialized ground test facilities. As nuclear weapons and electronics became more
1768-669: The efficiency of airborne vehicles to carry these weapons. As a result, the responsibility for biological-chemical warfare research was moved from Wright-Patterson AFB to the SWC at Kirtland. The SWC assumed all the functions of the old USAF Field Office for Atomic Energy [TandTLC] and employed personnel who were transferred from that office to form the cadre of the HQ, SWC. The command was also directed to provide personnel and equipment for development and proof testing of aircraft equipment and ground handling appurtenance to special weapons. Shortly after it
1820-468: The equipment and records scattered or lost when they were disbanded. USAF decided to establish a permanent USAF air task group for atmospheric tests. It organized the 4950th Test Group (Nuclear) for this mission and the 4926th Test Squadron and its sampling mission were transferred to the new group. The atmospheric test participation of the 4925th Group was cut back and the group focused on the aircraft/weapon marriage mission. The group evaluated equipment for
1872-697: The exception of Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento and the Air Force Recruiting Service 's 364th Recruiting Squadron. In 2012 there was a major reorganization (5 Center Construct) and several new centers were organized. Among them, the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base now directs the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at Tinker Air Force Base , the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base , and
1924-473: The following subordinate units. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's (AFLCMC) mission is to deliver affordable and sustainable combat capabilities to US and international partners. It is the single center responsible for total life cycle management of all aircraft, engines, munitions, and electronic systems. Its headquarters are located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio and it has the following subordinate units. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC)
1976-421: The following subordinate units. The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) conducts developmental and follow-on testing and evaluation of crewed and uncrewed aircraft and related avionics, flight-control, munitions, and weapon systems. Its headquarters are located at Edwards AFB, California and it has the following subordinate units. U.S. Armed Forces systems commands 4925th Test Group The 4925th Test Group
2028-579: The group, assisted Air Defense Command (ADC) with the loading of the first operational Douglas MB-1 Genie rocket onto a Northrop F-89J Scorpion aircraft. The Northrop F-89J Scorpion was used for the live test fire of the Genie at the Nevada Test Site and became ADC’s first fighter interceptor to carry nuclear armament. Other aircraft tested by the group included the B-29 and B-50D Superfortress,
2080-510: The installation of special weapons into aircraft. This included sway braces, bomb suspension and control systems, pylons and racks, handling and loading equipment, and control and monitor apparatus. The group continued its work on marrying weapons to aircraft. It worked on equipment testing to provide single Mark 15 and Mark 21 nuclear bomb capabilities for the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress . The group also began testing
2132-482: The late 1970s because the Air Force felt that limited Research and Development funds were better spent on technology than on infrastructure. One aspect of the testing environment involves the features a particular location might offer that could help (or hinder) testing of weapons such as supersonic aircraft technologies, associated munitions, and space systems. For example, the Special Weapons Center
Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center - Misplaced Pages Continue
2184-486: The prime objective to become operational in delivering hydrogen bombs. The primary USAF group to work on this mission was the 4925th Special Weapons Group. The 4925th Special Weapons Group was a mix of elite U.S. airmen and support personnel tasked with testing all aircraft in the USAF inventory for nuclear weapons delivery capability. The top bomber and fighter pilots in the USAF and expert support personnel were transferred to
2236-643: The total Air Force budget and AFMC employs more than 40 percent of the Air Force's total civilian workforce. The command conducts research, development, testing and evaluation, and provides the acquisition and life cycle management services and logistics support. The command develops, acquires and sustains the air power needed to defend the United States and its interests. This is accomplished through research, development, testing, evaluation, acquisition, maintenance and program management of existing and future USAF weapon systems and their components. The United States Armed Forces procurement of military aircraft began when
2288-551: Was "a holding cadre for USAF participating personnel of overseas nuclear testing Joint Task Forces". The command was redesignated the Air Force Special Weapons Center (AFSWC) and assigned to Air Research and Development Command on 1 April 1952, losing major command status and became a subordinate unit of the Air Research and Development Command. As the AFSWC, it became one of the distinct research and development centers within
2340-583: Was activated on July 1, 1992, as part of a post- Cold War , USAF-wide reorganization that resulted in the merger of AFLC and AFSC into a single major command. After AFMC was established, the command's infrastructure saw significant reductions through Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions. This included the BRAC-directed closure/privatization of the San Antonio Air Logistics Center at Kelly Air Force Base , Texas and
2392-552: Was closed and OPR functions came to the AFWL. Special Weapons Center's responsibilities as Kirtland's "landlord" were also transferred to the Air Force Contract Management Division on the same day. On 31 March 2006, the Air Force reactivated the unit as the Nuclear Weapons Center, combining oversight of nuclear weapons under a single organization. In 2008, the Nuclear Weapons Center was redesignated
2444-406: Was established at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico because of the concentration of technologies and industries supporting nuclear weapons development in the region. In 1958 Special Weapons Center scientists began to simulate the effects of nuclear explosions in order to strengthen US missiles, missile sites and aircraft against possible enemy attack. It was in 1958 that a nuclear effects simulator
2496-697: Was established within a double-barbed-wire-fence complex dubbed “Area Charlie”. Until 1956, the group participated in the majority of atmospheric nuclear tests, both in the Pacific and in the Nevada Test Complex . The group completed live drops at both complexes. It also conducted ballistic drops with simulated bombs at the Edwards Air Force Base Precision Bombing Range, the AEC Salton Sea Precision Bomb Range, and
2548-477: Was established, the SWC took over the host responsibilities for Kirtland from Air Materiel Command. SWC served as the primary source for scientific and technical information on special weapons development. To accomplish its mission, SWC redesignated numerous units that had been under the USAF Field Office of Atomic Energy with no change in station. SWC units at Kirtland in 1951 were: It appears that
2600-777: Was first constructed in an abandoned dining hall at Kirtland. In the wake of the signing of the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1963, the Air Force Weapons Laboratory (AFWL) was created from the Research Directorate elements of the Special Weapons Center. The Special Weapons Center gave up much of its research and development work to the newly created Air Force Weapons Laboratory . The Center continued with its test and evaluation mission and as Kirtland's host organization. The Weapons Laboratory built facilities during
2652-481: Was tasked with testing all aircraft in the United States inventory for nuclear weapons delivery capability. In January 1950 President Truman directed the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to emphasize the military becoming operational in delivering hydrogen bombs. To this end, the military strived to overcome the two major problems: to adapt aircraft and the bombs to each other (referred to as “marriage”) and to develop bombing techniques that were both effective and allowed
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#17327806998472704-442: Was to provide an organization for the development and testing of atomic weapons . The nucleus of this organization was composed of the pioneering Air Force agencies which had located there to determine future employment of nuclear weapons. The SWC was headquartered at Kirtland AFB. The mission was to provide an organization for development testing of special weapons, including atomic, biological, and chemical weapons, and to increase
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