EC96-43456-5
Project: Advanced Control Technology for Integrated Vehicles (ACTIVE)
NASA pilot Jim Smolka and McDonnell Douglas pilot Larry Walker flew the F-15B ACTIVE project at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA. The twin-engine F-15 was equipped with new Pratt & Whitney nozzles that could turn up to 20 degrees in any direction, giving the aircraft thrust control in the pitch (up and down) and yaw (left and right) directions.
On March 27, 1996, NASA began flight testing a new thrust-vectoring concept on the F-15B research aircraft to improve performance and aircraft control. The new concept led to significant increases in performance of civil and military aircraft flying at subsonic and supersonic speeds. NASA pilot Rogers Smith and photographer Carla Thomas flew the F-18 chase to accompany the flight.March 1996NASA Photo / Jim Ross› F-15 ACTIVE Project Description