The History Of The Secretive U.S. Military Test Site | Edwards Air Force Base

The history of Edwards Air Force Base, one of the most secretive military installations in the world.
the air base also manages the notorious Area 51 site.
Welcome to our deep dive into the iconic Edwards Air Force Base.
Edwards Air Force Base, situated in the heart of California's Mojave Desert, has been the epicenter of aerospace breakthroughs for decades. This video takes you on an enthralling journey through its storied past, groundbreaking present, and the exciting future of aviation and space exploration.
Dive into the rich history of Edwards AFB, starting as a remote bombing range in the 1930s. Discover how it evolved into a premier flight testing center, setting the stage for countless aviation milestones.
Journey through the golden age of flight testing. Witness the daring feats of legendary pilots as they push the boundaries of speed and altitude. From the Bell X-1’s supersonic flight to the space shuttle landings, experience the moments that cemented Edwards’ legacy.
Explore the cutting-edge technologies developed at Edwards. Get an inside look at how cutting-edge research in aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science is shaping the future of air and space travel.
Meet the heroes behind the cockpits. Learn about the rigorous training programs that mold the world’s best test pilots and engineers, preparing them for challenges beyond our atmosphere.
Discover Edwards AFB’s collaborations with NASA, private aerospace companies, and international partners. See how these joint efforts are propelling humanity further into the cosmos.
Envision the future as Edwards continues to be at the forefront of aerospace innovation. From hypersonic travel to interplanetary missions, the possibilities are as limitless as the skies above.
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Upscaled video, and audio.
Original video courtesy of: / airforcetestcenter
#EdwardsAirForceBase #aviation #engineering

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[@joeblough4605]

Excellent documentaries, just like the old ones, real information with no Hollywood or entertainment BS. THANKS!!!

[@kdvincent1982]

But the same stale comments like yours anyway

[@c0d3warrior]

@@kdvincent1982 Yours is way worse, but keep going, you'll surely win the culture war by insulting people.

[@robertthomas583]

Love it. When the step kids lived in Lancaster, they got to see all kinds of amazing aircraft fly over. I don't know about now, but I went to the entrance road once and there was a U-2, an XR-71, and I believe the XR-71 mounted drone and an engine. I parked illegally out of the way and just stared and took pictures. It was amazing.

[@jetskeeespar7a]

Grew up 30 minutes away in Mojave during the early 80’s and saw the space shuttle piggyback on a 747, it had to temporarily land in Mojave airport and then it took off from there. Was in school in the playground at lunch and saw it fly overhead.

[@craiglizt8074]

​@@jetskeeespar7a I was at Edwards in 2012 when they flew the shuttle around on the 747. It was being paraded around prior to being placed in a museum in the California Science Center in LA. I was in the Air Force at the time and was on the shooting range doing weapons qualification. They told all of us the cease fire as it flew over. Cool day!

[@troybullard9631]

@robertthomas583 I think you mean, the SR-71 ? When I was a kid, I lived in Marysville, Calif. from from 1965 -'75, and our house was only about 8 miles away from Beale AFB. So, I got to see the SR-71 fly by quite often, and many times directly over our school yard with a T-38 flying chase. And of course, B-52's and KC-135's were constantly coming and going in & out of there too. Seen a lot of other interesting types not normally seen coming & going from Beale during Linebackers 1 and 2. Like RC-121's, C-141's, C-54's, F-111's, and a lot of other stuff too. I guess a lot of other SAC, TAC, and MATS bases were busy during those crazy days too.

[@craiglizt8074]

@@troybullard9631 yeah, I think SR-71 is what he meant too.

[@noaah.m]

Same i was at school when i sat the space shuttle on the 747​@@jetskeeespar7a

[@craiglizt8074]

One cool fact: the first "Commander" of Muroc (now Edwards) was a Master Sergeant by the name of Harley J. Fogleman. I dont think I heard his name mentioned here at all, which is a shame. He stated that nobody wanted to command the place: potential commanders would land their plane, look around, never shut off their engines, and fly off again. There's an article on this buried in the Air University archives. Search for: U.S. Air University 1st Commander of Edwards AFB, CA My brother and I were born on Edwards Air Force Base back when they had a full on hospital. That place was special indeed. We grew up in nearby Lancaster and saw SO MANY cool planes. Blackbirds, B-2s, F-15s, F-117s, on and on and on. Heard sonic booms all the time. It was just so special and incredible. It's a special base indeed.

[@Gordie009]

This video was about Kelly Johnson

[@craiglizt8074]

​@@Gordie009no. It's about the origins of Edwards AFB. It's literally in the title. While Kelly Johnson is talked about here in length, he is not the focal point. My original comment about Muroc (now Edwards AFB) stands.

[@Gordie009]

@@craiglizt8074yes you are right they did mention Edwards once. Too bad they didn’t mention Harley.

[@craiglizt8074]

@@Gordie009 agreed. Not much is known about Harley. I remember reading about him many years ago and I almost thought it was all something I made up in a dream. But I rediscovered that article I mentioned in my first post. It's a shame that he's never given his due praise.

[@OperatorCatski]

Thank you for those historical docs. Just right for a lazy sunday afternoon!

[@scottcharney4262]

Inspiring documentary of an extraordinary group of men and their contributions to flight.

[@jeffreydeeds9225]

Kelly Johnson was the best aeronatical designer and engineer in my opinion. His lifetime of acheivements are likely to never be exceeded.

[@9169enjoi]

Same! His contributions to the designs of our planes and jets and his knowledge gained while doing so was more than any other single person in the aeronautical industry! That compression problem when traveling over 500mph must have been one hell of a problem to figure out 🤯

[@BLD426]

Agreed. Kelly Johnson was easily the GOAT..

[@daniellarge9784]

Who is second on your list of favourites?

[@jeffreydeeds9225]

@@daniellarge9784 here's my top 10 list. 1. Kelly Johnson 2. Edward Curtis Wells (chief engineer B17, 707 and 747) 3. Arthur E. Raymond (chief engineer Douglas DC1 through DC8) 4. Edward Murphy (Murphy's Law - began the designing of safety into aviation) 5. Theodore von Kármán (wing design specialist, swept wing and delta wing) 6. William "Bill" Boeing (founder of Boeing, early designs, visionary willing to push the envelope) 7. Otto Lilienthal (19th century aeronautics pioneer influenced many early designers) 8. Elon Musk ( Space X reusable rockets) 9. Igor Sikorsky (helicopter development) 10. Werner von Braun (developed rockets during WW2 and beyond, leading to space exploration)

[@BLD426]

@@daniellarge9784 Frank Whittle.

[@WMPEXFBTLZYH]

Thank you for this!!❤️❤️

[@robertmacdonald7060]

Well done. Thank you for the great documentary

[@RaySmith1662]

Another Very Good Video! 👍👍👍

[@kennethkeough3622]

In 1980, I lived 15 miles south of Damascus, AR. I remember well when the Titan 2 exploded. They evacuated as far South as our northern city limits, and that included many of my classmates. I don’t know why THG didn’t use any of the available footage, as the actual explosion was captured live by a local news crew.

[@jdsunshinefarms119]

Nice history narrative. Good research some info I did not get years ago. Keep up the good work!

[@anderspedersen6750]

Absolutely fantastic video, as always!

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@craigfarnsworth8333]

The SR 71 was developed also at Beale Air Force base. My dad's WW 11 bud worked there and on spring vacations south to San Diego to visit cousins, we stopped to visit Bill VanCleve at Beale AFB, while at the guard shack, in our Citroën wagon, a SR 71 took off. Our Citroën wagon shook side to side. WOW 😮

[@jgedutis]

Damn. I must have been asleep for a long time last night. I missed World War 3 through World War 11. 😅

[@FaithBasedProductions]

some of the most interesting stuff i've watched in 24 years watching things and judging them.

[@OurTurboTv]

This is awesome, did you make this? Or just upload it?

[@KarensGettingArrested]

nice video

[@luddite333]

well done !

[@PeaceNinja007]

I pass by in front of Edwards AFB everyday and every night for work. I don’t know what they be doing there but you’ll see fighter jets every now and then. Sometimes they like to make sonic booms. And at night .. they fly these weird things that appear and disappear in the dark sky. Don’t think I don’t see you Edward! ☝️lol

[@non-human3072]

Arrrr i can't leave this channel, go away

[@non-human3072]

It just keeps getting recommended, unsubscribed and don't recommend this channel.....but KZbin still has it playing

[@rightbuildersfinn7180]

Nice to see this originally built made and designed British gun return home at last

[@dragonsmarine6434]

Does the V-2 have a minimum programmed/published range?

[@GoatPilot04]

Have Kelly or Bens books been optioned for movies?? PLEASE tell me yes! Of all the trash space/aerospace movies Hollywood has made, and a few decent ones too, WHY has nobody made "Skunkworks" movie?! Have Kelly the main character, and Ben Rich as supporting actor starting after the U2 was flying and in final development of the SR71...end scene is either the day they overflew Kelly sitting in the car, OR the last speed run when it was retired. There's SO much material and stories to make an AMAZING, **REAL** movie with! Yeager, John Glenn, etc. C'mon Hollyweird! Give us some GOOD stuff!

[@ScottEdwards-ll5bg]

Glen Edwards Was My Grandmother Paul Edwards Lead Motorcycle For Gone With The Wind Motorcade Canadian Cousin Actually. When You Die For Your Country You'll Get Your Name On It

[@kevinthompson2308]

The narrator sounds just like Warren Miller.

[@somthingbrutal]

lets not forget the British help with breaking the sound barrier

[@Dronescapes]

It is a controversial topic, but most evidence says they did not help. The most credible memory is Eric Brown’s who stated that Miles helped Bell with aerodynamic issues.

[@jakesgreatadventures]

​@@Dronescapesit looks just like groom Lake is it?

[@mikemurphy5898]

1:17:40 all those scientists and military men and they're superstitious about the weather... honestly, as much as i don't consider myself superstitious there's something to be said for that which seems to be beyond our comprehension... and i think it very arrogant to assume we are capable of complete awareness, rather we have proven repeatedly that we are not. So idk lol, maybe they were onto something

[@mattreed753]

This base is soo super secretive that they had to use pro wrestler Randy Savage as a decoy during their hidden project/missions during the 90's as this information of tactic has rescently been declassified.

[@jimparker7778]

Edwards AFB was just an hour's drive from the headquarters of McDonnell-Douglas in StLouis

[@tommytwotacos8106]

Can you guys think of any heavy fighter or 2 engine fighter designs that actually fulfilled the roles for which they'd been designed aside from the P38 or the Mosquito? I think the bf-110 might've come close at some points, but it never held a candle to its allied counterparts.

[@tonypuglia3483]

wayyy too many adverts

[@Dronescapes]

There are options, such as KZbin premium

[@davidgraham4807]

There’s even a better option…don’t watch and don’t support.

[@1CATALDO]

@@DronescapesKZbin Premium changed my KZbin experience FOREVER ~ and for only $15 per month ! Two years later my son had the same experience ! He then said,"Dad ! why didn't you tell me about KZbin Premium before ?" 24 JUL 2024 PS ~ Thank You for Sharing this GREAT video 😊

[@bair8655]

😁😁😁it's very good sign of aggressive policy of USA

[@geringgardener9760]

What if they reimagined the SR-71 with rotating pulse detonation engines instead of the J-57 i think it is probably wrong on that i know it is J-50 something any ways ya am SR-71 made from fully composite materials, fully stealth, rotating pulse detonation engines, fully A.R., highest speed data, best encryption available, optionally maned plateform

[@frankdinies5111]

Why are you wasting no time German mechanical engineers?

[@sv650touring]

too many words, too much flowery description, too much tone of voice, too much narrative. feels like maybe youd rather be making comic book movies bro. maybe documentaries with cgi superpowers and one liners are the next big thing (on piss earth)

[@sv650touring]

@@josealse3413 spider man vs bat man

[@Smokerdoo1966]

I don't want to pay anymore taxes for this shit. Make the rich pay for it, it's their turn bums