What to know about Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert
Summary
Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert is known for important aviation milestones, such as breaking the sound barrier and space shuttle landings. Recently, a B-52 bomber crashed after takeoff during a test flight, killing all eight people on board.Key Facts
- Edwards Air Force Base is located about 100 miles north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert.
- The base has been central to U.S. flight research since the 1940s.
- In 1947, Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier there flying the Bell X-1 rocket plane.
- The base served as the landing site for the Space Shuttle Columbia’s first return to Earth in 1981.
- It tests aircraft for the Air Force as well as some Navy and Army planes.
- The 412th Test Wing manages flight testing and weapons system development at the base.
- In 2025, Boeing brought a B-52 bomber with a modern radar system to the base for testing.
- On June 15, 2026, that B-52 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all eight aboard during its test mission.
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