NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

ER-2 Operating Bases

United States Operating Bases

The ER-2 is operated by the Airborne Science Branch of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. Dryden is located at Edwards Airforce Base, California.

Dryden is the home base for the aircraft and support personnel as well as the center for all ER-2 operations, maintenance, and engineering. To reduce operating costs, it is highly desirable to operate the ER-2 from Dryden whenever the scientific objectives permit.

In the event that scientific objectives preclude the use of Dryden for data acquisition flights, several other locations have been established to support ER-2 operations. These include "turn key" operations at Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, and NASA Johnson Space Center - Ellington Field, Texas. At these two locations fuel and ground support equipment are maintained year-round.

US bases which have supported ER-2 operations include:

• Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia. Operated by NASA.
• Ellington Field, Houston Texas. Operated by NASA.
• Salina Municipal Airport, Salina, Kansas.M
• Forbes Air Field, Topeka, Kansas.
• Bergstrom Air Reserve Station, Austin, Texas.
• Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington.
• Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach, Florida.
• Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida.
• Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida.
• Bangor, Maine.
• Kelly Air Force Base, Texas.
• Beale Air Force Base, California.
• Ames Research Center, California. Operated by NASA.

Overseas US Operating Bases

• Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska.
• Barber's Point Naval Air Station, Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Hickam Air Force Base, Oahu, Hawaii.
• Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station, Puerto Rico.
• Anderson Air Force Base, Guam.
• Howard Air Force Base, Panama Canal Zone.

It is possible to operate the ER-2 from these or many other US bases. However, adequate lead time would be required to coordinate operational needs with the local authorities before operations can be conducted.

Foreign or Overseas Operating Bases

The ER-2 may be operated from a foreign country when the requirements of the proposed mission justify such action. One example of this requirement was the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment. This required basing the ER-2 in Punta Arenas, Chile, to place the aircraft within reach of the Antarctic. The ER-2 has operated from:

• Alconbury and Mildenhall, England.
• Brasilia, Brazil.
• Christchurch, New Zealand.
• Darwin and Townsville, Australia.
• Lajes Air Force Base, Terceira, Azores.
• Nadi, Fiji.
• Puntas Arenas, Chile.
• Stovanger, Norway.

Establishing New ER-2 Bases

The ER-2 operates from bases within the United States as well as locations in foreign countries. Flight paths over specific terrain, or in certain atmospheric regions may be out of range of US bases. For situations such as these, it is necessary to secure permission to operate the ER-2 from a foreign base in the proximity of the data collection area. Special planning is required to support the aircraft and associated investigator teams. Normally, planning for a new deployment site requires about 12 months before the first planned operations; more time may be required for overseas or international bases.

Site Surveys and Diplomatic Negotiations

A preliminary review of the airfields in the country of interest will be conducted. Once this has been done, site surveys will be conducted. Site surveys are normally conducted one year prior to the scheduled mission date. The purpose of these surveys will be to determine if adequate support facilities exist for the ER-2 aircraft, personnel, and science support teams. Many factors are taken into account in the selection process, including the following:

Review Of Weather Data

Meteorological data at the proposed operating site will be accumulated and reviewed well in advance. Weather considerations such as winds, precipitation, snow or ice, cloud ceilings, available daylight hours, and airfield conditions will be carefully evaluated.

Airfield Characteristics

The unique nature of the ER-2 makes certain airfield considerations necessary for operation. Airfield selection criteria include:

• Minimum runway length of 6000 feet.
• Minimum runway width of 150 feet.
• Ice or snow may not be present on the runway during takeoff or landing.
• Taxiways must be capable of accommodating the wingspan, wheel spacing, and turning radius of the ER-2.
• The runway and taxiway surfaces must have a bearing strength of T-40 or greater.

Hangar Facilities

The 104 foot wingspan of the ER-2 requires an extremely large hangar door width. A 110 foot wide door is normally required for operations. If no such hangar is available, it is possible (but not desirable) to make other accommodations. The hangar must also be large enough to accommodate the necessary ground support and aircraft/sensor maintenance functions.

Fuel and Cryogens

The ER-2 uses special thermally stable jet fuel, and liquid oxygen for the pilot's life support system. These must be pre-staged to any ER-2 operating bases. Some instruments also require liquid nitrogen or other cryogens for proper operation. Adequate storage and handling facilities for fuel and cryogens must be present or easily installed.

Support Facilities

The chosen location must include adequate support facilities for the aircraft as well as the scientific support team. This includes briefing rooms, meteorological data facilities, life support facilities, and flight planning rooms.

Diplomatic Negotiations

Concurrently with the site survey process, diplomatic negotiations with the proposed host country will be conducted to attain any necessary approvals. While it is generally helpful if the ER-2 has operated from the proposed host country in the past, this will not necessarily reduce the required lead time. This is due to possible changes in government contacts, environmental considerations, airfield operating capabilities, and the political climate.