Office of Public Affairs, 704th Test Group -- Dr. Robert Leishman, Director of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Automation and Navigation Technology Center, recently visited the 746th Test Squadron here.
Dr. Leishman had two major goals during his visit. He wanted to reignite research collaboration between AFIT and the 746th TS and second, to speak to 746th TS students currently enrolled in AFIT’s distance learning programs.
Lt Col Charles McNiel, commander of the 746th TS and Mr. James Keith, technical director of the 746th TS led the tour and discussions. Dr. Leishman was briefed on the mission’s areas and capabilities of the squadron and how AFIT can play a role in technological development.
On key squadron technology, the Ultra High Accuracy Reference System was emphasized. This system, developed in-house at the 746th TS in collaboration with AFIT, enables precise time, space and position information in GPS contested environments.
Dr. Leishman offered suggestions on future UHARS improvements and explained how AFIT could help with many different aspects of 746th TS testing. Additionally, Dr. Leishman was shown the squadron’s inertial navigation system test capabilities. These centrifuges and rate tables are key to the squadron’s ability to test precise INS systems for aircraft, spacecraft and strategic missiles. Dr. Leishman was quick to note the ways that AFIT could use these platforms for research and was excited at the potential capabilities.
The 746th TS AFIT distance learning students then met with Dr. Leishman to discuss the AFIT program, how it benefited them, how it could be improved and how to make it more relevant to the work being done at the squadron. Dr. Leishman rounded out his visit with a collaboration session between the 586th Flight Test Squadron, and the 746th TS, and AFIT as he and the technical directors of the test squadrons met over lunch. They discussed particular research projects that could utilize 586th FLTS resources and test beds, as well as how both of the test squadron could work with the test pilot school to further their research.
The visit will inform future development work on UHARS, further offerings of the AFIT distance learning program, and lead to follow-on trips, focusing on the AFIT and 704th Test Group research communication, cooperation, and collaboration.