Notes: #139 was officially assigned to the 729th AS at March ARB. Due to the fact that this was the first Lot XVII Globemaster, it was borrowed by the 412th TW for some test missions... One of which was the dropping of a 65' mock-up booster rocket from the payload door, to study the concept of aerial launch.

Notes: The mock-up rocket is seen being released from the cargo bay of the aircraft. This test was a joint effort between the USAF and DARPA.

Notes: Seen sitting on the ramp the day it arrived, this Combat Talon I came from the 919th SOW to begin testing in the Avionics Modernization Program. #572 was originally a C-130E, which was converted to an MC-130E.

Notes: The Airborne Laser is seen flying over a large solar array, during the second test flight to reestablish airworthiness. This was required after the aircraft had been out of service for almost two years, to perform the installation of ABL's beam control system.

Notes: The famous Trout 99 takes off on a test mission involving the study of using off the shelf LAN equipment to offer high-speed Internet, e-mail, Voice over Internet Protocol, and video teleconferencing capabilities, while airborne.

Notes: This photo shows the antenna installed on the tail for broadband communications via satellite.

Notes: A C-130J borrowed from the Maryland ANG sits in the Benefield Anechoic Facility, where it underwent a week of testing on its new defensive systems.

Notes: New systems that were tested included: radar warning receiver, countermeasures dispensing system, and a missile warning system.

Notes: Now retired, the "Argus" was originally stationed at Kirtland AFB. This aircraft was equipped to detect optical turbulence and other conditions associated with tracking and monitoring missiles. It helped to collect data that would later be used on the ABL, and was originally one of 5 aircraft that were part of the tracking network for the Apollo Space program.

Notes: The Airborne Laser sits on the ramp at Edwards.

Notes: The ABL flies low over a wet Rogers Dry Lake during an airworthiness test flight.

Notes: The ABL is seen taking off from Edwards on an airworthiness test mission.

Notes: A borrowed C-130J from the Rhode Island ANG is seen flying over the PIRA while conducting a Low Velocity Airdrop test.

Notes: During this test mission, the Airborne Laser's conformal window was successfully exposed during flight for the first time.

Notes: The YAL-1A is seen returning to flight for the first time in almost two years, while being equipped with its beam control system.

Notes: The first prototype C-17A known as "T-1" is seen flying one of numerous test missions, involving a problematic hydraulic hose in each engine pylon.

Notes: Originally a KC-135A, this Stratotanker was borrowed from the 351st ARS and flown by Operational Test & Evaluation Det. 5 at Edwards, on an extended test mission involving the Global Air Traffic Management program.

Notes: The ABL makes its first flight, lasting 1 hour and 22 minutes, while circling over western Kansas.

Notes: #135 is seen being prepared for a mission to Spain to observe and collect data on both of the year's Leonid meteor showers. This aircraft was retired in 2004, and was at that time the second oldest aircraft in the USAF.

Notes: The ABL arrives from the Boeing Maintenance & Modification Center in Wichita, KS.

Notes: The YAL-1A continues down the runway at Edwards after landing.

Notes: The EC-18B ARIA (Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft) is one of two such aircraft that were stationed at Edwards. For 30 years, #892 had been recording and relaying telemetry from space vehicles, such as the space shuttle and various ballistic missiles. The aircraft was moved from Edwards in 2001.

Notes: A Spec Ops AC-130U passes by the tower as it arrives to Edwards for testing. This aircraft was one of twelve C-130H converted into AC-130U models.

Notes: A C-141B Starlifter is seen in fight over the R2508 range. The 141B was a stretched version of the 141A model.

Notes: #779 was modified from a standard C-141A, into the radar test bed seen in this photo. This aircraft was involved in the testing of radar for numerous aircraft, including: the F-16, F-15, B-1 and others. It was retired to the Edwards Museum.

Notes: This Starlifter was primarily utilized by the Test Pilot School for training in large aircraft. It was eventually retired to the AMC Museum at Dover AFB.

Notes: In its original factory green camo scheme, the prototype C-17A is seen on its first flight from the Douglas - Long Beach plant, to Edwards AFB. The nose boom housed instruments used to collect data for flight evaluation.

Notes: #025 lands at Edwards after making its first flight, ready to begin testing.

Notes: The first Globemaster sits safely on the ramp after its short first flight.

Notes: Years after its first flight, #025 presses on in its modern basic gray scheme and ED orange tail splash.

Notes: #025 still wears the red, white & blue "C-17" on its nose, which was also on the aircraft when first delivered.

Notes: #025 on the taxiway.