Pilots selected to fly VUSSP’s first experimental test aircraft

Today, it has been released that Astronaut Candidates Steve LeDuke and
Cole Byre will be the first two pilots to test fly the VUSSP’s first
experimental test aircraft for the VUSSP’s Aeronautic Operations
Division.
The aircraft, the MRA-X2H Savage is a high performance stealth fighter
designed for long range, high altitude, super maneuverability, the
first of its kind with any type of similar characteristics. The
aircraft is set to arrive at Patrick AFB on Saturday afternoon or even
as late as Saturday evening. It’s been set that the pilots will be
briefed on testing this never before flown aircraft and flight tests
could commence as early as Sunday morning, weather permitting.

The debut of the ‘Savage’ signals the resuming of atmospheric flight
operations in just under one year.  The VUSSP’s spaceflight
operations will not commence for another two to three more months while
new training systems are being developed for the vAstronauts and
vMission Controllers.  More information will be released as it
becomes available.