The Air Force subjects aircraft and other systems to extreme weather conditions at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory. One of the Air Force’s newest jet trainers, the T-7A Red Hawk, arrived at the lab on Dec. 15, 2023, for testing. The Air Force plans to buy 351 T-7s to replace 504 T-38 Talon trainers that will be retired. The T-7 at the lab will undergo testing for six weeks to make sure it can function in extreme environmental conditions.
The McKinley lab has been used for testing military vehicles and equipment since 1947 and has been upgraded and expanded over the years. It has five chambers and other systems for testing aircraft, weapons, and equipment, including the B-29 Superfortress, P-51 Mustang, and P-47 Thunderbolt. Its main chamber is insulated and big enough to test entire aircraft, weapons, and other support systems, and can produce temperatures from -65 degrees to 165 degrees.
Other chambers at McKinley can simulate highly corrosive conditions aircraft might encounter, wind, rain, or simulated sand and dust storms, and a variety of pressures an aircraft might face at up to 80,000 feet.
