NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, has welcomed a new addition to its fleet – a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft from NASA’s Glenn Research Center. This aircraft, acquired in 2022 for advanced technology development, will now support flight research efforts across the agency.
The PC-12, previously stationed at Glenn for over four years, has already proven its worth as a valuable research asset. One notable contribution was its role in a communications relay experiment with the International Space Station, where it successfully transmitted a 4K video stream through a ground network and satellite, overcoming cloud coverage challenges.
In addition to this, the PC-12 was also utilized for studying surveillance systems that could potentially handle the air traffic demands of future air taxis in urban areas. Now, with its relocation to NASA Armstrong, the aircraft will continue to support a wide range of research efforts, including technology development projects led by Glenn and collaborations with the Aerospace Communications Facility.
Darren Cole, capabilities manager for the Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities project at NASA Armstrong, emphasized the center’s expertise in supporting deployed aircraft missions and highlighted the PC-12’s role in expanding flight research capabilities across different locations.
In another development, a NASA T-34 aircraft from Glenn arrived at Armstrong in February for evaluation. This aircraft will provide NASA pilots with the opportunity to engage in flight research activities or train to operate the PC-12 during maintenance periods. The T-34’s versatile design enables the mounting of pods for various flight research experiments, offering a cost-effective and efficient means to test new ideas quickly.
The arrival of the T-34 at Armstrong adds to the center’s existing fleet, which includes other aircraft like two F-15s. These assets position Armstrong as a key hub for pioneering flight research and testing initiatives within the agency. The aircraft operations at Armstrong are supported by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.
The addition of the Pilatus PC-12 and the evaluation of the T-34 underscore NASA’s commitment to advancing aviation technology and conducting innovative research to address the challenges of air transportation in the future. With these new assets in place, NASA Armstrong is well-equipped to continue its legacy of groundbreaking flight research projects and collaborations with industry and academic partners.
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