EC01-0223-1
A newly arrived B-52H is seen here alongside NASA Dryden’s venerable B-52 “B” model during its arrival ceremony on August 1, 2001.
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., received the “H” model B-52 Stratofortress aircraft on July 30, 2001. The B-52H will be used as an air-launch aircraft supporting NASA’s flight research and advanced technology demonstration efforts.
Dryden received the B-52H from the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) 23rd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bombardment Wing (Air Combat Command), located at Minot AFB, N.D. A USAF crew flew the aircraft to Dryden.
The aircraft, USAF tail number 61-0025, will be loaned initially, then later transferred from the USAF to NASA.
The B-52H is scheduled to leave Dryden Aug. 2 for de-militarization and Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Okla. The depot-level maintenance is scheduled to last about six months and includes a thorough maintenance and inspection process.
Although the modifications were made, changes in NASA’s aeronautical research goals left the B-52H with no near-term projects.
August 1, 2001NASA Photo / Tony Landis› B-52 Project Description