A trio of F-15D Eagles banked right as they flew over Edwards Air Force Base upon their arrival from Tyndall Air Force Base on Sept. 21, 2010. The three high-performance tactical fighter aircraft were transferred by the Air Force to NASA’s Dryden (now Armstrong) Flight Research Center at Edwards for use in flight research and mission support. Chase aircraft also are used as camera platforms for research missions that must be photographed or videotaped. Aeronautical engineers use this pictorial coverage (photos, motion pictures, and videotape) extensively to monitor and verify various aspects of research projects. The F-15D is also used by Armstrong research pilots for routine flight training required by all NASA pilots.
NASA / Carla Thomas
Overview
Characteristics
Capabilities
F-15D Support Aircraft
- (1) two seat
- Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
- Engines: (2) P&W F-100
- Top speed: Mach 2.5
- Wing span: 42 ft, 10 in (13.05m)
F/A-18 Support Aircraft
- (1) two seat, (2) single seat
- Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
- Engines: (2) GE F404 turbofans (17,700 lb of thrust)
- Top speed: Mach 1.7 (1190 mph)
- Wing span: 40 ft, 4 in (12.29m)
Two NASA F/A-18B aircraft are captured in tight formation during a low-level flyover of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. NASA Armstrong has flown the early-model two-seat F/A-18s for mission support duties and for occasional research missions since acquiring them from the U.S. Navy in the mid-1980s.
NASA / Tony Landis
G-III (808) Support Aircraft
- Manufacturer: Gulfstream
- Engines: (2) Rolls-Royce Spey Mark 511-8 turbofan engines
- Top speed: 581 mph
- Wing span: 77 ft.
T-34C Support Aircraft
- (1) Two Seat
- Manufacturer: Beech Aircraft
- Engine: 550 Hp. PT6A-25 turbo prop
- Top Speed: 280 kts.
- Wing Span: 33 ft, 4 in
B200 King Air
- (1) Multi Seat
- Manufacturer: Beech Aircraft
- Engine: (2) 850 Hp. PT6A-42 turbo prop
- Top Speed: 292 kts.
- Wing Span: 54 ft, 6 in