By Mr. Mike Shelton, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — Test jumpers here are making sure Special Operations Forces military freefall (MFF) parachutists can safely use their rucksacks without compromising their missions. Risk reduction testing begins inside vertical wind tunnels, which simulates MFF conditions. Airborne […]
Parachute
Refueling, rearming system tested by low-velocity air drop at Ft. Bragg improves readiness
By Mr. James Cochran and Mr. William Slaven, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — Aviation support Soldiers here recently tested an attack helicopter refueling and rearming system by air-dropping it out of U.S. Air Force cargo aircraft. The Forward Area Rearm and Refueling Point (FARRP) […]
82nd Airborne Soldiers test forklift after cargo aircraft airdrop
By Mr. Wayne Lovely, Military Test Plans Analyst, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — 82nd Airborne Division Soldiers are airdrop testing a small forklift system, making way for movement of large amounts of equipment and supplies quickly in austere battlefield conditions. Airdrop operations of the […]
U.S. Army Operational Test Command to celebrate 50 years of dedicated equipment testing
By U.S. Army Operational Testing Command Public Affairs WEST FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas — A small group of military and civilian employees met in a III Corps Headquarters storage room on Oct. 1, 1969, launching a unique equipment test organization that has now spanned 50 years. Those humble beginnings of the Army’s […]
41st Operational Testers’ Hall of Fame inductee selected
By U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs WEST FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas — A Central Texas resident has been selected as the 2019 inductee to the U.S. Army Operational Test Command’s Operational Testers’ Hall of Fame. William Ralph (Bill) Fesler of Lampasas, Texas, has been named the 41st HOF inductee and […]
Ft. Benning Rangers jump test new backpack systems for forced entry operations
By Sgt. 1st Class Ian Seymour, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BENNING, Georgia – Army Rangers here are evaluating three Mystery Ranch backpack variations by jumping out of U.S. Air Force C–130 Hercules aircraft. The three commercial off the shelf variants tested by Soldiers with the 75th Ranger […]
