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An orange-colored airplane research aircraft sits in a wind tunnel facility mounted on a strut. The aircraft consists of a section of a scaled-down fuselage with two wings and six rotors. Two researchers are using a computer connected to the aircraft. The gray wall of the wind tunnel is visible in the background.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson, wearing a green flight suit and sunglasses, stands at the front of the agency’s F-15D research aircraft, looking up at a long, newly installed shock-sensing probe mounted on the nose. The aircraft is parked on the flightline at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, with its canopy open and ladder down.
A white and blue NASA F-15 research jet climbs to altitude with an approximately 3-foot experimental wing design mounted beneath its fuselage. Viewed in profile against a blue sky with mountains in the distance, the test article resembles a ventral fin below the aircraft.

Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project

The Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities (FDC) project conducts complex and integrated flight research demonstrations in support of NASA’s aeronautics research programs. The project enables aggressive, success-oriented flight campaign schedules. While many technologies are at mid-levels of technology readiness, the project supports all phases of technology maturation. The project operates, sustains, and enhances other national flight research capabilities that enable complex high-risk flight research for both NASA and the aviation industry.  

Learn More About FDC about Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project

project manager (PM)

Tom Horn

Deputy Pm for Strategy and Planning

Dan Williams

DEPUTY PM for flight capabilities

Darren Cole

Flight Research Facilities

The FDC project validates benefits associated with critical technologies through focused flight experiments. Through the integration of appropriate flight test capabilities and assets – whether from NASA, other government agencies or industry – FDC campaigns focus on aggressive, success-oriented schedules using the best collection of assets. The FDC project supports tests of technology at all phases of maturation. These activities support research within all six aeronautics strategic thrust areas outlined in ARMD's Strategic Implementation Plan.

airplane being tested inside a hangar

Flight Loads Laboratory

X-43A Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle

Simulation Lab

Dryden Communications Facility with COMM 1 and COMM 2 Dishes

Dryden Aeronautical Test Range

NASA's SOFIA aircraft in flight with the F/A-18 airplane underneath it.

Support Aircraft & Maint. Ops

NASA’s Chase Aircraft Gets a Facelift

An F/A-18 aircraft received from the U.S. Navy in 2021 has been rejuvenated, had its NASA colors added, and is close to flight certification at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Edwards, California.

Learn More About NASA's Chase Aircraft Facelift about NASA’s Chase Aircraft Gets a Facelift
NASA 862, which is an F/A-18D, departs with its fresh colors from the U.S. Air Force Corrosion Control Facility on Edwards Air Force Base in California for its nearby home at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center.