6513th FTS

The 6513th Flight Test Squadron (FTS) was a United States Air Force unit based at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Activated in 1971, the squadron was primarily responsible for conducting flight tests of foreign aircraft, including those acquired through clandestine means, as part of the United States’ evaluation of potential adversary capabilities during the Cold War. Often operating under high security, the 6513th FTS contributed significantly to the development of American tactics and understanding of Soviet-designed aircraft. In 1992, the unit was redesignated as the 413th Flight Test Squadron, continuing its legacy of advanced flight testing.