HR: 12:05h
AN: A31G-08    [PDF]
TI: Planned Improvements for the WB-57F Aircraft
AU: * Baccus, S
EM: shelley.baccus-1@nasa.gov
AF: NASA, Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Road One Mail Code CC5, Houston, TX 77058 United States
AU: Roberts, A
EM: andrew.c.roberts@nasa.gov
AF: NASA, Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Road One Mail Code CC4, Houston, TX 77058 United States
AU: Ross, M
EM: martin.n.ross@aero.org
AF: Aerospace Corporation, M8-615 PO Box 92957, Los Angeles, CA 90009 United States
AB: NASA WB-57F aircraft have supported the atmospheric science community for over 30 years. Recent attention has focused on the chemistry and dynamics of the UTLS region of the atmosphere and several NASA sponsored field campaigns (ACCENT, CRYSTAL-FACE) have made critical use of the WB-57F's unique ability to carry large (3 ton) payloads during extended cruise at all altitudes from the lower troposphere to the lower stratosphere (20 km ceiling). In addition, the WB-57F's robust structure permits a large number and variety of instruments to be carried at inlet-favorable locations on the aircraft. In order to further improve the WB-57F's performance and unique utility to the atmospheric research and spacecraft validation communities, NASA is planning several upgrades to the WB-57F including state-of-the-art avionics and autopilot, landing gear replacement, maximum gross weight increase, engine replacement, and ultrapod installation. We will review the present WB-57F performance, plans for upcoming science campaigns, and plans for increased WB-57F payload, range, endurance, and ceiling resulting from the upgrades.
UR: http://jsc-aircraft-ops.jsc.nasa.gov/wb57
DE: 0399 General or miscellaneous
DE: 9800 GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUS
DE: 9805 Instruments useful in three or more fields
DE: 9815 Notices and announcements
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting