Inside an F-16 at 1,300 MPH | Breaking the Sound Barrier

On this episode of FULL THROTTLE, we go inside Edwards Air Force Base — the centre of the aerospace testing universe — to explore the mission, people, and technology shaping the future of air power.

Embedded with the 412th Test Wing and the 416th Flight Test Squadron, we discover how the Combined Test Force brings together military personnel, government civilians, engineers, and industry experts to test, evaluate, and refine the systems that will eventually reach America’s warfighters.

From the historic Rogers Dry Lake Bed, where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier and the Space Shuttle landed, to the cutting-edge flight test programs operating today, this is a rare look inside one of the most important aviation facilities on Earth.

Then, after days of preparation, survival training, and safety briefings, I get the opportunity of a lifetime: climbing into the back seat of an F-16 Viper to experience everything from a max-performance unrestricted take-off and Sidewinder low-level route, to 50,000 feet in the stratosphere, Mach 1.6, 1,000 mph, 9G manoeuvres, and demonstrations of the life-saving Auto Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).

But this story isn’t just about flying.

It’s about the mission of flight testing itself.

Every day, the men and women at Edwards Air Force Base work to ensure that America’s pilots and warfighters never have to discover the limits of their aircraft, weapons, or systems for the first time in combat. Through rigorous testing, engineering, and innovation, they help transform concepts into operational capability while improving safety and effectiveness for those serving around the world.

A huge thank you to the 412th Test Wing, 416th Flight Test Squadron, Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base Public Affairs, and everyone who contributed to making this project possible.

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👜 POWERED BY SADDLEBACK LEATHER

Huge thanks to Saddleback Leather for sponsoring this episode of FULL THROTTLE.

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🎙️ Learn More About Edwards Air Force Base

Want to hear more from the people behind the mission?

Listen to my conversations with leaders from Edwards Air Force Base, the Air Force Test Pilot School, and the flight test community:

Featuring guests including:

• Brigadier General Douglas “Beaker” Wickert – Commander, 412th Test Wing
• Colonel Maryann Karlen – Commandant, USAF Test Pilot School
• Lt Col Brantigan “Maddog” – Commander, 416th Flight Test Squadron
• Jessica “Sting” Peterson – USAF Test Pilot School
• And many more leaders from the aerospace testing community

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ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY & GROUND VIDEO CREDITS

A huge thank you to the talented photographers and videographers who helped capture the F-16 passes from the ground and contributed to documenting this project.

James “Bo” Reeder

Jeff – JRO Photography

Snyder Shotz

MW Exposures

Nicole Martin Photography

Project JSC

Steven Ditzler Photography

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Video Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:49 Welcome to Edwards Air Force Base

01:19 The Mission Behind Edwards

02:14 Rogers Dry Lake & Aviation History

04:40 Why Edwards Is the Home of Flight Test

05:16 Inside the 416th Flight Test Squadron

07:41 The Combined Test Force

09:07 Auto GCAS & Saving Pilots’ Lives

10:14 Saddleback Leather Sponsor

10:34 Preparing for the F-16 Flight

12:30 The Flight Brief

14:28 Flight Gear & Harness Fitting

17:10 Taxiing to the Edwards Runway

18:07 Unrestricted Take-Off

19:38 Taking Control of the F-16

20:18 Sidewinder Low Level

23:37 Climbing to 50,000 Feet

26:09 Breaking the Sound Barrier

27:20 Mach 1.5 & 1,000 MPH

27:43 Flying Supersonic

27:59 Auto GCAS & Preparing for 9G

29:47 Pulling 9G

31:01 Edwards Tower Flyby

32:07 Landing & Final Reactions

33:31 Final Reflections on Edwards

35:12 Closing Thoughts

36:05 Edwards Podcast Episodes

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Music:
🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd.

Hold On, I’m Comin’ by Sam & Dave,

🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd.

Praise You (Radio Edit) by Fatboy Slim,

🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd.

Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) (1999 Remaster) by The Hollies,

#F16 #F16Viper #EdwardsAFB #FlightTest #USAirForce #TestPilot

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