Flight Loads Laboratory
NASA’s unique national facility at Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, supports flight research and aircraft structures testing. It continues to thrive after five decades because it provides a mix of valuable capabilities: dynamic thinking to meet challenges and a culture that reinforces getting the work done. From the X-15 and YF-12 of the early years to modern marvels such as the X-57 and X-59 experimental aircraft and dozens of major accomplishments in between, the highly skilled staff is positioned for the future.
Quick Facts
Single facility capable of conducting mechanical, thermal, and structural dynamics research and testing.
Combined thermal, mechanical, and structural dynamics testing allows for study of the effects of these combined conditions.
Fiber optic sensing technology for real-time distributive strain and temperature sensing.
Focus Areas
NASA Armstrong Completes F/A-18E Tests
Understanding what stress, or strain, an aircraft can endure is critical to carrying out its intended mission. To better understand…
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Flight Loads Laboratory
NASA Armstrong Supports F/A-18E Horizontal Tail Testing
NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California conducted complex loads calibration tests on a F/A-18E aircraft from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, Maryland.
NAVAIR retired its previous loads test aircraft and NASA Armstrong staff are assisting to prepare the new aircraft for its role to help safely manage in flight maneuvers and determine how the F/A-18E fleet will perform if proposed upgrades are incorporated.
This video shows loads calibration testing on the horizontal tails that concluded in October 2021.
