April 17, 2003
Charleston AFB welcomes high-altitude research aircraft
By Capt. Krista Carlos
437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AMCNS) -- Usually when Charleston AFB receives high-level visitors, they usually have a few stars on their shoulder.
However, on April 13, the base greeted a visitor who actually shoots for the stars: a WB-57F high-altitude research aircraft.
The WB-57F, one of two fully operational research planes of this type still flying today, is conducting atmospheric research in the southeast area and will be kept at CAFB until about April 26, said Bud Meins, NASA mission manager.
The aircraft needs at least a 9,000-foot runway, as well as ample hangar space and good weather conditions, said Capt. Tiffany Montague, Air Force program manager and sensor operator.
"After surveying a number of places in the area, Charleston was chosen as the best location for us to get close to where the plane needs to be," said Captain Montague.
The aircraft will be conducting high-altitude remote sensor testing here, said the captain. The crew is fitted with pressure suits similar to those U2 pilots wear because of the high altitudes, at which they will be flying.
The unique plane and its aircrew, dressed in orange pressure suits, are an unusual sight to see on the Charleston flightline.
"The aircraft always arouses a great deal of curiosity when people see it fly in," said Mr. Meins. "A lot of young folks don't even know what a B-57 is and, this one was made in 1963."
The WB-57F is a NASA/Johnson Space Center aircraft, said Captain Montague. It is modeled after the British Canberra aircraft and modified for high altitudes. Its long wings were added for altitudes up to 65,000 feet and it can carry a crew of two: a pilot and sensor operator.
According to Mr. Meins, the aircraft can carry a 4,000-pound payload and fly up to 65,000 feet. It has a range of 2,500 miles, and has engines similar to the C-141.
The aircraft also conducts a variety of remote sensing and imaging missions, rocket impact on stratospheric ozone missions and UAV chase missions.
"We have conducted mostly atmospheric missions, to include photo-mapping of Costa Rica, sensing gases of volcanoes, and testing carbons over big cities," said Scott Reagan, NASA pilot. One of the WB-57s flew over the eye of Hurricane Floyd to gather data at around 55,000 feet.
Mr. Reagan said The WB-57 serves as a platform for various types of scientific equipment. Instrumentation can be flown in the payload bay, nose, and wing pods.
"There is definite job satisfaction in knowing that
you are helping to improve technology," said Mr. Meins.
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