The Space Development and Test Wing (SDTW) was a unit of
Air Force Space Command
The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...
's
Space and Missile Systems Center
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ...
of the
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army S ...
. The
wing
A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is exp ...
is located at
Kirtland Air Force Base
Kirtland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in the southeast quadrant of the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico urban area, adjacent to the Albuquerque International Sunport. The base was named for the ea ...
in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The unit was combined with another
Space and Missile Systems Center
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ...
directorate and is now known as the Advanced Systems and Development Directorate.
Mission
The Space Development and Test Directorate develops, tests and evaluates Air Force space systems, executes advanced space development and demonstration projects, and rapidly transitions capabilities to the warfighter.
History
The Space Development and Test Wing was activated 1 August 2006. Prior to that, Detachment 12 of the
Space and Missile Systems Center
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ...
had been activated at Kirtland AFB 29 June 2001, taking responsibility for research, developmental test and evaluation organizations that had been co-located at Kirtland AFB alongside the
Air Force Research Laboratory
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is a scientific research organization operated by the United States Air Force Materiel Command dedicated to leading the discovery, development, and integration of aerospace warfighting technologies, p ...
Space Vehicles and Directed Energy Directorates.
* Lineage
** Detachment 2,
Space and Missile Systems Center
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ...
, Onizuka AS, CA
** SMC, Test and Evaluation Directorate, Kirtland AFB, NM
** Detachment 12,
Space and Missile Systems Center
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ...
, Kirtland AFB, NM (activated 29 June 2001)
** Space Development and Test Wing, Kirtland AFB, NM (activated 1 Aug 2006)
**
Advanced Systems and Development Directorate, Kirtland AFB, NM
[''"SMC stands up new Advanced Systems and Development Directorate, 24 Nov 2014. http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/554895/smc-stands-up-new-advanced-systems-and-development-directorate.aspx]
* Past Directors and Commanders
** Craig Martin, Colonel, USAF (retired)
** James Ford, Colonel, USAF (retired)
** Ralph Monfort, Colonel, USAF (retired)
Operations
Units
The Space Development and Test Wing is divided into two
Groups, the
Space Development Group and the
Space Test Group.
* Space Development Group
** Responsive Space Squadron
** Responsive Satellite Command and Control Division
** Human Spaceflight Payloads Division - Houston, TX
*Space Test Group
** Space Test Squadron
***
SOC 96 - Schriever AFB
***
SOC 97 - Kirtland AFB
** Space Test Operations Squadron
** Launch Test Squadron
References
See also
*
Space Test Program
The Space Test Program (STP) is the primary provider of spaceflight for the United States Department of Defense (DoD) space science and technology community. STP is managed by a group within the Advanced Systems and Development Directorate, a ...
*
Space and Missile Systems Center
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ...
*
C/NOFS
*
STP-S26
Minotaur IV, also known as Peacekeeper SLV and OSP-2 PK is an active expendable launch system derived from the LGM-118 Peacekeeper ICBM. It is operated by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, and made its maiden flight on 22 April 2010, carr ...
Vandenberg AFB Launch Schedule
Military units and formations in New Mexico
Space wings of the United States Air Force
Test wings of the United States Air Force
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