Episode 3 of the Test Pilot Series has Sunshine interviewing Dan “TOFU” Price, LCDR, USN (ret). These two patch wearers discuss Weapon Developmental Test and Evaluation.

DT&E is the test and evaluation conducted to demonstrate that the engineering, design and development process is complete, demonstrate that the design risks have been minimized and that the system will meet specifications. In essence, a concept has been turned into reality, but before that new weapons system goes to the fleet and even before it goes to Operational Test, it must prove itself in Developmental Test. The rigorous testing imposed on these new systems ensure that the investment made by the military (and your tax dollars) in the weapons system will perform as intended.

In a reversal of roles, our host Brian ‘Sunshine’ Sinclair interviews Authentic Media’s own Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian on the Standard Missile. ‘Rogers’ background as an Aegis Combat Systems Officer on Ticonderoga and Arleigh Burke Class ships allows him to share with us the background of Fleet Air Defense in the US Navy. From the development of the 3T’s (Tarter, Terrier, Talos) fitted on existing ships to the evolution of the ‘Standard’ Missile on purpose-built platforms, this episode begins to go behind the curtain on one of the world’s premier surface to air missiles.

In Episode 2 of the Supersonic Bone ‘Roger’ and ‘Prime Time’ discuss the requirements and development of the B-1A. Conceived as a replacement for the 1950’s designed B-52, the requirements of the B-1A expanded on a wide range of capabilities and operations. Our hosts discuss the technological leap that saw the shift of the prime contractor from being primarily an airframe manufacturer to system integrator and the creation of a Joint Test Force approach that eliminated redundancy, reduced cost, and sped testing. They also explore the environment in the late 70’s that led to the cancelation of the B-1A bomber, and the aftermath that kept the B-1 program alive.