Advanced flying research laboratories may not look sensational, but the results they may achieve could be phenomenal. Here's an example of a flying research laboratory, HIAPER (High-performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research):

HIAPER can fly at an altitude of 51,000 feet and has a range of 7,000 miles. It can carry 5,600 pounds of sensors. The combination of range, duration, high-altitude capability, and payload capacity place it in the top rank of U.S. research aircraft. A modified Gulfstream V jet, HIAPER is owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the National Center for Atmospheric Research. This is, though it doesn't look it, an advanced plane.

NASA's S-3 Viking, above, is a state-of-the-art test aircraft. It's communication, navigation and surveillance equipment was replaced or enhanced to provide increased compatibility with current and future airspace requirements both domestically and internationally. With the addition of state-of-the-art global positioning systems, satellite communications and commercial weather radar, NASA can deploy the S-3 worldwide in support of research missions.

In addition, research equipment racks were installed internally in what was one of the S-3's bomb bays. The recent modifications to the S-3 have made it a world class test facility, and allows NASA to delve into flight regimes that had previously been inaccessible to them.

 Back to Aircraft  Back to Home Page  Jump to Gallery