Peter W. Merlin Livres

This volume contains an investigation of remotely piloted research vehicle (RPRV) and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) mishaps and will examine their causes, consequences, resultant corrective actions, and lessons learned. Most undesired outcomes usually do not occur because of a single event, but rather from a series of events and actions involving equipment malfunctions and/or human factors. This book comprises a series of case studies focusing mostly on accidents and incidents involving experimental aircraft. The information provided should be of use to flight-test organizations, aircraft operators, educators, and students, among others. These lessons are not unique to the UAS environment and are also applicable to human aviation and space flight activities. Common elements include crew resource management, training, mission planning issues, management and programmatic pressures (e.g., schedule, budget, resources), cockpit/control station design, and other factors. (Contains copyright material)

Since Pres. Harry Truman established the Nevada Test Site (NTS) in December 1950, it has played a vital role in the security of the United States. For four decades, the test site s primary purpose was developmental testing of nuclear explosives. Atmospheric tests conducted over Yucca Flat and Frenchman Flat between 1951 and 1962 involved thousands of Army troops and Marines simulating nuclear battlefield conditions. Civil defense planners studied blast and radiation effects and evaluated bomb shelter designs. Testing moved underground in 1963 to eliminate radioactive fallout. Other projects at the NTS included nuclear rocket engine development for space travel, training for NASA s Apollo astronauts, excavation experiments, radioactive waste storage studies, and aircraft testing. Since the last underground nuclear test in 1992, this geographically diverse testing and training complex north of Las Vegas known since 2010 as the Nevada National Security Site has been used to support nuclear stockpile stewardship and as a unique outdoor laboratory for government and industry research and development efforts."

The narrative delves into Area 51, a clandestine military site established during the Cold War for high-security projects, shielded from espionage. Originally a temporary camp, it evolved into a significant testing facility for advanced military technology, including supersonic and stealth aircraft. The base's enigmatic reputation has fueled speculation about UFOs and extraterrestrial technology, yet declassified images offer an authentic look at its operations, revealing the intersection of secrecy, innovation, and national defense in America's history.

The book offers a comprehensive factual history of the U.S. military flight-testing program at Area 51, delving into its significance and operations. Authored by a recognized expert in the field, it provides in-depth insights and analyses, shedding light on the mysteries surrounding this iconic site and its role in military aviation advancements.

The Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, established in 1957, served as a crucial site for testing ballistic characteristics and non-nuclear components of atomic bombs during the Cold War. Known as Area 52, it has facilitated various military operations, including training exercises and the development of advanced technologies like the F-117A stealth fighter. The range remains significant today, managed by Sandia National Laboratories and the Air Force Materiel Command, continuing its legacy as an essential asset for the United States' nuclear arsenal and military capabilities.

Known as "The X-Hunters," authors Peter W. Merlin and Tony Moore have located more than 100 crash sites of exotic aircraft from Edwards air Force Base and Area 51. Together, they have recovered parts of supersonic rocket planes, stealthy spy craft, and vehicles that have reached the edge of space. Each story in the book profiles an unusual aircraft and the brave men who flew it. The authors examine the contributing causes of each crash and use then-and-now photographs to illustrate their findings. The stories end with The X-Hunters' search for the crash site and what they discovered. Each adventure combines C.S.I.-type skills with X-Files persistence, with a dash of Indiana Jones for adventure. Aircraft profiled include the YB-49 and a pair of N9M flying wings, X-1A, X-1D, VB-51, XB-70, SR-71, YF-12, U-2 prototype, and many more.