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Webmaster Photos - NASA
This page includes various photos of NASA aircraft, mainly from NASA Dryden Research Center. All content on this site is Copyright © www.thenorthspin.com and is not to be re-posted or redistributed in any way.

Subject: F/A-18A (AAW) - NASA Dryden FRC - #853 BuNo 161744
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: This Hornet was modified for the AAW (Active Aeroelastic Wing) program, which studied the benefits of aerodynamically twisting flexible wings to improve roll maneuverability, on high-performance aircraft.

Subject: F/A-18A (AAW) - NASA Dryden FRC - #853 BuNo 161744
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: Notice the extra conformal bump on the spine of the AAW Hornet.

Subject: F/A-18A (AAW) - NASA Dryden FRC - #853 BuNo 161744
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: This side has "Naval Aviation Systems Team" on the spine. The opposite side has "Air Force Research Lab".


Subject: NB-52B - NASA Dryden FRC - #008 Serial #52-0008
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: The famous "Balls 8" B-52 flew hundreds of test support missions on programs such as the X-15, Pegasus boosters, and many others. Built in 1952, it was the oldest B-52 in flying status, until was retired on 12/17/04

Subject: NB-52B - NASA Dryden FRC - #008 Serial #52-0008
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: The side of the aircraft displays dozens of mission markings.

Subject: NB-52B - NASA Dryden FRC - #008 Serial #52-0008
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: #008 wore the old style NASA yellow band until the end.


Subject: ER-2 - NASA Dryden FRC - #809 Serial #80-1097
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: NASA has two civilian versions of the U-2, called an ER-2. There is also a #806. The two ER-2s were originally based at NASA Ames, but eventually moved to Dryden FRC.

Subject: ER-2 - NASA Dryden FRC - #809 Serial #80-1097
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: The original paint scheme while at NASA Ames, was white over gray.


Subject: X-45A UCAV - NASA Dryden FRC - Vehicle #1
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: Built by Boeing, the X-45A was part of a combined DARPA, Air Force, & Navy program called: Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems, or J-UCAS.

Subject: X-45A UCAV - NASA Dryden FRC - Vehicle #1
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: A side view shows some of the program logos.

Subject: X-45A UCAV - NASA Dryden FRC - Vehicle #1
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: This same ship made its first flight 5 months before these photos were taken, on 5/22/02.


Subject: DC-8 "Airborne Laboratory " - NASA Dryden FRC - #817
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/26/2002

Notes: #817 is a highly modified 'flying lab' that has participated in many scientific projects around the world.


Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #843 BuNo 161519
Location: Vandenberg AFB, CA
Date: 11/2/2002

Notes: This Hornet mainly works in a support role at NASA Dryden. It can be used as chase on test missions, and also for basic training.

Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #843 BuNo 161519
Location: Vandenberg AFB, CA
Date: 11/2/2002

Notes: This scheme is typical of Dryden Hornets.

Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #843 BuNo 161519
Location: Vandenberg AFB, CA
Date: 11/2/2002

Notes: 161519 was a Blue Angels Hornet before coming to NASA Dryden.


Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #847 BuNo 161520
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/25/2003

Notes: At the time these photos were taken, #847 was part of the Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) program that was being conducted.

Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #847 BuNo 161520
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/25/2003

Notes: This shot shows the AR buddy pod on the centerline position. The propeller that powers the pod in flight has a protective cover over it.

Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #847 BuNo 161520
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/25/2003

Notes: In this shot, the flash is lighting up the reflective material on the retracted AR basket, at the rear of the AR buddy pod.

Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #847 BuNo 161520
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/25/2003

Notes: This shot shows the AAR program logo on the tail.

Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #847 BuNo 161520
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/25/2003

Notes: 161520 originally flew as Blue Angel ship #2 during the first season of them using the Hornet, in 1987.


Subject: F/A-18A -Lancaster Municipal Stadium - #842 BuNo 161214
Location: Lancaster, CA
Date: 12/1/2003

Notes: Originally NASA #842, this Hornet was mounted outside the Lancaster Municipal Baseball Stadium 3/97.

Subject: F/A-18A -Lancaster Municipal Stadium - #842 BuNo 161214
Location: Lancaster, CA
Date: 12/1/2003

Notes: 161214 was at one point turned into a F/A-18(R) to study the feasibility of offering a reconnaissance package for the Hornet.


Subject: ER-2 - NASA Dryden FRC - #809 Serial #80-1097
Location: March ARB, CA
Date: 4/24/2004

Notes: There's what appears to be some sort of little clamshell experiment pod mounted on the wing, that can open and close.


Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #850 BuNo 161703
Location: Vandenberg AFB, CA
Date: 10/30/2004

Notes: #850 is one of the typical support Hornets at Dryden.

Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #850 BuNo 161703
Location: Vandenberg AFB, CA
Date: 10/30/2004

Notes: Tail view showing the BuNo.

Subject: F/A-18A -NASA Dryden FRC - #850 BuNo 161703
Location: Vandenberg AFB, CA
Date: 10/30/2004

Notes: Right side of aircraft.


Subject: B-52H -NASA Dryden FRC - Serial #61-0025
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/22/2005

Notes: This B-52H was to replace NB-52B #008 as Dryden's "Mother Ship". As of 2007, it was unclear whether the aircraft would stay at NASA.

Subject: B-52H -NASA Dryden FRC - Serial #61-0025
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/22/2005

Notes: The aircraft was completely refurbished with new paint and other additions.

Subject: B-52H -NASA Dryden FRC - Serial #61-0025
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/22/2005

Notes: No logo had been applied at this time.


Subject: F-15B (IFCS) - NASA Dryden FRC - #837 Serial #71-0290
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/22/2005

Notes: Dryden's highly modified F-15B participates in the Intelligent flight Control System (IFCS) program. #71-0290 was originally the first F-15B model produced, and first flew on 7/7/73.

Subject: F-15B (IFCS) - NASA Dryden FRC - #837 Serial #71-0290
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Date: 10/22/2005

Notes: #837 taxis back to the FRC.




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