News United States Air Force
 Test Trifecta: Orange, Emerald, Black Flag combine to enhance large-scale testPublished Nov. 4, 2021
                        
                        By 1st Lt. Christine Saunders, Air Force Test Center Public Affairs and 1st Lt. Lindsey Heflin, 53rd Wing Public Affairs
                **EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) --**
                The Test Flag Enterprise strikes again, this time by joining forces Oct. 26.

Orange, Emerald, and Black Flag held their test events at three geographically-separated locations: the**R-2508 complex**,  **Edwards Air Force Base**, the **Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range**, Florida, and the **Nevada Test and Training Range**.

For the first time, the three independently executed large force test events collaborated in real-time for simultaneous execution focusing on securing electronic data sharing across geographically-separated battlespaces to enable long-range kill chains.

“This was TFE’s first attempt at connecting more than two geographically-separated areas with low-latency data link networks,” said Maj. Daniel Prudhomme, Orange Flag director.

Each test flag created airborne Link-16 networks, transmitted data to various ground links, and then transferred data between each of the test flag events, effectively transmitting targeting data across more than 1,500 miles. This is a crucial enabler for long-range kill chains.

“Emerald Flag had very focused JADC2 (Joint All-Domain Command and Control) objectives in 21-3 and accomplished crucial steps in completing end-to-end connectivity for long range killwebs,” said Capt. Joe Haggberg, Emerald Flag deputy director. “The EF team gleaned valuable information that will fundamentally transform the way we think, fight, and employ capabilities at further range. Emerald Flag is extremely resource efficient in utilizing simulation methods that replace the need for many aircraft that is typical for a large event and yet still providing the necessary information to the weapon systems. Advancing capabilities rapidly while being efficient with our resources will be key to our nation’s acquisition success.”

Black Flag conducted other test events Oct. 26-28, which included the first participation of**U.S. Marine Corps** aircraft and personnel. The **3rd Marine Aircraft Wing** led a large force maritime strike scenario and participated in other test scenarios ranging from defensive counter air to electromagnetic spectrum vulnerability attacks.

“Black Flag is the U.S. Air Force’s premier operational test venue where warfighters from the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps,**U.S. Navy**, and **U.S. Army** gather to develop tactics, techniques, and procedures in response to the latest intelligence and leadership inquiries,” said Maj. John Alspach, Marine Aircraft Wing 11 Weapons and Tactics officer. “By conducting joint events in the world’s foremost test and training range, MAG-11 is afforded the unique opportunity to test, train and develop tactics that will define the immediate future of warfare.”

A General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger unmanned vehicle prepares for taxi at El Mirage Airfield, Calif. June 24, 2021A General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger unmanned vehicle prepares for taxi at El Mirage Airfield, Calif. June 24, 2021. The Skyborg team conducted a multi-hour flight test on October 26 of the Skyborg autonomy core system (ACS) aboard two General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger tactical unmanned vehicles during the Orange Flag (OF) 21-3 Large Force Test Event at Edwards AFB, California. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tabatha Arellano)
            
            
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    Maj. Daniel Prudhomme, Orange Flag director and F-35 Test Pilot assigned to the 461st Flight Test Squadron, awaits confirmation signals from his crew chief at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 26, 2021Maj. Daniel Prudhomme, Orange Flag director and F-35 Lightning II test pilot assigned to the 461st Flight Test Squadron, awaits confirmation signals from his crew chief at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 26, 2021. Orange Flag is an all-domain, large force test series focused on advanced technology, kill-web integration, and synergistic effects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tabatha Arellano)
            
            
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    photo of F-16 at Emerald FlagA 96th Test Wing F-16C Fighting Falcon prepares to participate in Emerald Flag at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 26, 2021. The large force test event paired with Orange Flag and Black Flag to connect air, land, ground, sea, space and cyberspace systems to improve the speed and accessibility of information shared in a live and virtual battlefield. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Karissa Rodriguez)
            
            
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The primary focuses of this Black Flag included testing electronic attack contracts with the**EC-130H Compass Call**, **F-15E Strike Eagle**, and **EA-18G Growler** while targeting fighter-based long range kill chains; building **National Reconnaissance Office** integration concepts to close air-delivered long-range kill; and continued exploration of non-traditional combat search and rescue methods.

Additional “tri-flag” participants included a number of other Air Force and Navy platforms, the Army’s Tactical System Integration Lab, General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger unmanned vehicle, and Nellis AFB’s**Shadow Operations Center**.

“Bigger does not always mean better when it comes to these large-scale test events,” said Maj. Theodore Ellis, Black Flag director. “The most important takeaway is the data we receive after the events are over. We analyze the data to prove what works and what doesn’t and push the data out to the joint forces. We strive to test how we are going to fight.”

The**U.S. Air Force Test Center and Warfare Center** counterparts developed the **Test Flag Enterprise** to provide all-domain test capability and capacity to mature and field systems.

“The TFE is the only organization in the Department of Defense that is executing rigorous large scale test right now,” Prudhomme said.

The main Orange and Emerald Flag objectives are to create a large force environment for advanced sensor and aircraft capability development. Black Flag’s objective is to integrate and test the suitability of capabilities and tactics in multi-domain, multi-service, operational realistic scenarios.LR 



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