NASA gets a new B-52

A Boeing B-52H Stratofortress arrived on 30 July at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The B-52H will be used as an air-launch aircraft supporting NASA's flight research and advanced technology demonstration efforts. Dryden received the B-52H from the USAF's 23rd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bombardment Wing (Air Combat Command) at Minot AFB, North Dakota. A USAF crew flew the aircraft to Dryden.

"We have been seeking a replacement aircraft for our existing B-52B for some time -- it is great to see the H model finally arrive," stated Dryden Center Director Kevin Peterson. "It should provide us an excellent launch platform for the future."

The new air-launch aircraft will boost both NASA and USAF efforts in researching and demonstrating technologies for future access to space vehicles. The Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) and Dryden have a mutual alliance the serves as a bilateral, cooperativerelationship to improve service and lower cost to the internal an external customers of both.

The Office of the Secretary of the Defense and the USAF are partially funding, along with NASA, a flight research instrumentation package to be

installed on the aircraft, as well as other modifications to the plane. The B-52H, USAF s/n 61-0025, will be initially loaned, then later transferred from the USAF to NASA. Two days after its arrival, the B-52H left Dryden for demilitarization and Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma. The depot-level maintenance is scheduled to last about six months and includes a thorough maintenance and inspection process.

Copyright Challenge Publications Inc. Oct 2001
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