Benjamin Tomlinson Email & Phone Number

Edwards Afb

Manage and Lead Test Technology Area (TTA) Tri-service Working Groups for the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). Changing the way the DOD tests military weapon systems.

Edwards Afb

Led and developed Unit Test Safety Officers (UTSO) and Project Safety Leads (PSL) as the primary UTSO. The UTSOs I led were also; site chiefs, project leads and director of operations. Lead engineer for the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ), a high priority ACAT 1D Navy F18 program tested in the BAF. Led a team of engineers, technicians, program managers, facility personnel, and contractors to accomplish the first integration test. Test Director (TD) for F-16, F-15, F35, NGJ, and BI35 ensuring programs were conducted efficiently, effectively and safely.

Edwards Afb

As a member of the Electronic Warfare (EW) F-15SA (Saudi Arabia) test team I developed the safety plan and coauthored the test plan. The test package was constructed so envelope expansion testing took priority while EW required testing was still accomplished.Developed and mentored PSLs to effectively manage risk and communicate test safety plans to leadership.Taught and developed leadership courses for the engineer development flight.

Edwards Afb

 Led diverse test teams of testers including but not limited to; AFRL, Army, Navy, flight science, avionics, weapons, air refueling, air drop, unmanned, directed energy, etc., through the development of safety packages, counseled and trained PSL and UTSO.  Co-authored AFI91-105 which led to a more effective, efficient and easy to follow test safety process. I presented test safety process and risk assessments to senior leadership for approval and information. I managed the most comprehensive test safety database in the USAF spanning 4 decades & containing thousands of test programs to prevent future mishaps.  Taught test squadrons and the USAF TPS students to develop safe and effective test methodologies. As the UTSO inspector I verified all test units were within compliance with AFI instructions.

Edwards Afb

 Lead project engineer for the Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ). The HRJ program was a pathfinder program designed to certify all USAF jet engines on a renewable alternative fuel for the USAF fleet as part of the 2005 Energy Act Policy. The C-17 flights tested were the first USAF aircraft flights to provide a detailed flight test report of the HRJ fuel.  Lead project engineer, for a new electronic control unit for the C-17 auxiliary power unit. I developed the test plan which solved the problem of having a separate logistic test plan.  Mentored new avionics engineers on C-17 and C-5M programs.  As an UTSO I developed and mentored PSLs to effectively manage risk and communicate test safety plans to leadership.

Edwards Afb / Plant 42

 Lead USAF liaison for the NAVY propulsion group for the (Naval Unmanned Combat Air System) N-UCAS I provided propulsion and test safety expertise for Air Vehicle 1 (AVI) during engine testing and low and medium speed taxi testing.

Edwards Afb

 Led a high risk T-38 overheat program. A high priority test to determine and mitigate air frame damage due to heat.  Authored technical report (AFFTC TR-06-28), safety packages and test plans that integrated T-38 propulsion, performance, subsystems, and structures testing.  Authored all daily reports sent to the AEDC 4-star general responsible for the T-38C/PMP investigation program. Test information translated to operational changes reducing In Flight Emergencies (IFE) and aircraft damage.  Wrote test cards, scheduled maintenance, developed an instrumentation parameter list.  Conducted high risk tests as the TC, TD and discipline engineer for T-38, F-16, and F-15 flight test.  Developed models with Northrup Grumman and Arnold AFB to highlight root cause of engine stalls and where they were occurring.  Authored and assisted in presenting T-38C/PMP test brief to AEDC 4-star general. This brief provided the 4-star general the information needed requiring the future of the T-38 fleet.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Organizational Leadership

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Mechanical Engineering