Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, has expanded its fleet this year with two F-15 supersonic jets, a Pilatus PC-12 utility plane, and a T-34 turboprop trainer to advance aerospace research.
The center supports a range of science and aeronautics test missions by enabling airborne science operations. It transports scientists and equipment for research on topics such as air pollution, glacier melt, and wildland fire mapping, with data collection aboard aircraft like the NASA ER-2.
NASA Armstrong is located on Rogers Dry Lake, a 44-square-mile flat area that has played critical roles in aviation and spaceflight events, including space shuttle landings and emergency test recoveries. The adjacent Rosamond Dry Lake also supports test operations.
The center traces its origins to 1946, when 13 NACA employees arrived to prepare for Bell X-1 supersonic flight tests, marking the beginning of its legacy in experimental flight research.
According to Darren Cole, capabilities manager at NASA Armstrong, the expertise of personnel in maintaining and modifying unique aircraft is a significant strength of the center. Matt Berry, airborne research platforms branch chief, highlighted the team's agility in collaborating with scientists to conduct airborne experiments effectively.