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Aviation enthusiasts have welcomed the arrival of a rare NASA WB-57 High Altitude Research Program Aircraft, call sign NASA 926, to Australia.
The aircraft, usually based at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Texas, is reportedly in Australia for planned hypersonic missile testing at the Woomera Test Range, according to media speculation.
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The WB-57 and two other United States Missile Defense Agency Gulfstream G550 aircraft have become the focus of aviation enthusiasts since their arrival in Australia, per reports from Aviation Media Network, having flown in via Darwin to RAAF Base Edinburgh in SA.
According to NASA, WB-57 “aircraft have been flying research missions since the early 1970’s, and continue to be an asset to the scientific community with professional, reliable, customer-oriented service designed to meet all scientific objectives”.
“The WB-57 is a mid-wing, long-range aircraft capable of operation for extended periods of time from sea level to altitudes in excess of 63,000 feet,” the space agency said.
“Two crew members are positioned at separate tandem stations in the forward section of the fuselage.
“The pilot station contains all the essential equipment for flying the aircraft while the sensor equipment operator station contains both navigational equipment and controls for the operation of the payloads that are located throughout the aircraft.
“The WB-57 can fly for approximately 6.5 hours, has a range of approximately 2500 miles, and can carry up to 8,800 lbs of payload.”
NASA operates three WB-57 aircraft – converted from B-57 Canberra bombers – with callsigns NASA 926, NASA 927, and NASA 928.
For more space news and insights, visit Space Connect.
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