We would like to take a closer look at NASA’s use of military fighters and her supporting aircraft’s.
1st and foremost we have the Boeing F/A-18 being use by NASA. These are early F/A-18A and B Legacy Hornets. These were use by NASA for Supersonic test. The F-18 also did a test carrying experimental pod that houses a test radar to simulate Mars Science Laboratory radar. These F-18 were caught in KEFD Ellington Field doing further Supersonic flights in the gulf of Mexico.
T-38A Talon was use primarily as flight training, pilot proficiency and Mission Suppor. This platform have been heavily use by NASA because of the lower operating cost.
NASA Johnson SPace center in Houston TX is home of the WB-57 High Altitude Research Prorgam. 3 fully operational WB-57 CAnberra is based out of Ellington Field KEFD.
Super Guppy having her unique look also based out of Ellington Field carries NASA’s freighting and transport of unique and sometimes bulky shaped items. I have personally witness Super Guppy loading of T-38 in her cargo area for transports.
More Pictures below shows up the aircraft type we normally see in Texas Region.
Article By DAve Chng
Pictures by Bill Havel and Dave Chng
