List of NASA aircraft
Introduction This is a list of '''NASA aircraft'''. Throughout its history NASA has used several different types of aircraft on a permanent, semi-permanent, or short-term basis. These aircraft are usually surplus, but in a few cases are newly built, military aircraft.
Current aircraft  Aircraft Number in service Introduced Research Center Aero Spacelines Super Guppy 1 Johnson Space Center Aeromot TG-14 1 Armstrong Flight Research Center Airbus H135 3 Kennedy Space Center Beechcraft T-34 Mentor 3 Armstrong Flight Research Center (1), Glenn Research Center (2) Beechcraft B-200 3 Armstrong Flight Research Center (1), Langley Research Center (2) Cirrus SR22 1 Langley Research Center Columbia LC-40 1 Langley Research Center DHC-6 Twin Otter 1 Glenn Research Center Dassault Falcon HU-25 Guardian 1 Langley Research Center Gulfstream C-20A 1 2008 Armstrong Flight Research Center Gulfstream III 4 2012 Armstrong Flight Research Center (2), Langley Research Center (1), Johnson Space Center (1) Gulfstream V 1 2012 Johnson Space Center Lockheed C-130 Hercules 1 Wallops Flight Facility Lockheed P-3 Orion 1 1991 Wallops Flight Facility Lockheed ER-2 2 1981 Armstrong Flight Research Center Martin WB-57 Canberra 3 Johnson Space Center McDonnell Douglas DC-8 1 1987 Armstrong Flight Research Center McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle 3  Armstrong Flight Research Center McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet 3  Armstrong Flight Research Center Northrop T-38 Talon 20  Johnson Space Center
Aircraft  Aircraft  Type  Use  Status (Qty)  Dates From To  Research Centers  Current Location  Comments Aero Spacelines Super Guppyright Fixed Wing Heavy transport aircraft Active (1)  N/A El Paso Forward Operating Location Aerojet General X-8 right Rocket Research, X-Planes, Upper air research and sounding Retired  Armstrong Flight Research Center AeroVironment CenturionCenturion takes off from Dryden in December 1998 Fixed Wing, UAV Research, Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Retired (1)  Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Centurion was an evolutionary solar and fuel cell system powered unmanned aircraft. AeroVironment Gossamer Albatrossright Fixed Wing Research, Human Powered Retired (1) Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum  AeroVironment Heliosright Fixed Wing, UAV Research, Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Retired (1)  Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center NASA's Helios Prototype was an evolutionary solar and fuel cell system powered unmanned aircraft. AeroVironment Pathfinderright Fixed Wing, UAV Research, Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Retired (1)  Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center AeroVironment Pathfinder Prototype was an evolutionary solar and fuel cell system powered unmanned aircraft. AeroVironment Pathfinder Plusright Fixed Wing, UAV Research, Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Retired (1)   Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Pathfinder Plus Prototype was an evolutionary solar and fuel cell system powered unmanned aircraft. AeroVironment RQ-14 Dragon Eyeright Fixed Wing, UAV Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Active (1)  Ames Research Center Ames Research Center Eurocopter EC135100pxRotorcraftActive (2)Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space Center Beechcraft Super King Air (NASA 8)right Fixed Wing Transport Personnel Active (1) Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Flight Facility Carries employees from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia and Baltimore Beechcraft King Air B-200 (UC-12B)right Fixed Wing Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Active (2)  Armstrong Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center  Beechcraft T-34Cright Fixed Wing Research Platform & Photographic Chase Active (2)  Glenn Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Wallops Flight Facility, Armstrong Flight Research Center Bell UH-1H Iroquois (Huey)right Rotorcraft Retired  Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Flight Facility Bell Lunar Landing Research Vehicle LLRV right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center (#2) Bell X-1A Glamorous Glennis right Research, X-Planes, Retired 1946 Armstrong Flight Research Center National Air and Space MuseumHigh-speed and high-altitude testing. First aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight.Proved aerodynamic viability of thin wing sections. Bell X-1B right Research, X-Planes, Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force	 Bell X-1E right Research, X-Planes, Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center Bell X-5 right Research, X-Planes, Retired 1951 Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force First aircraft to fly with variable geometry wings. Bell XV-15right V/STOL, Tilt Rotor Research, Retired (1) Ames Research Center Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Bellanca Skyrocket IIright Fixed Wing Civil Aircraft Test Retired (1)  Langley Research Center Boeing 737, NASA 515NASA 515 during braking test run on snow-covered runway at Brunswick Naval Air Station. Fixed Wing Research, Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) Retired (1) Langley Research Center Museum of FlightNASA 515 is the first Boeing 737 ever built. After being used to qualify the 737 design, NASA heavily modified the aircraft for continuing research. Boeing 747-100SRA NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-100SR. Fixed Wing Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Retired (2)  Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center Registered as N905NA (which is a 747-100 model that was acquired from American Airlines in 1974) and N911NA (a 747-100SR model purchased from Japan Airlines in 1988). In 2013, Space Center Houston announced plans to display SCA 905 with the mockup shuttle Independence mounted on its back. NASA 905 was erected on site at the space center, having been ferried in pieces from Ellington Field, and the replica shuttle was mounted in August 2014.The display opened in early 2016.N911NA is currently on display at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42.Boeing 747, (SOFIA)right Fixed Wing Airborne observatory, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Retired (1)  Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center Retired 2022 Boeing 757right Fixed Wing Research Platform, Advanced technology Retired (1) Ex–Eastern Airlines 757 Boeing B-52B right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Pima Air & Space Museum (003), Air Force Flight Test Center Museum (008) X-15 & X-43A launch from Boeing B-52 mothership Boeing CH-47B ChinookNASA CH-47B used as an in-flight simulator. Former US Army 66-19138 Rotorcraft Research, Variable Stability Research Rotorcraft project Retired (2)  Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center  It was equipped to fly by wire and had three on board computers. After research was completed, it was returned to the US Army and upgraded to the CH–47D standard. Boeing KC-135 Stratotankerright Fixed Wing Trainer, Reduced gravity aircraft Retired (2) 1973 - 2004 Ellington Field, Houston, Texas Ellington Field, Houston, Texas USAF KC–135As (designated N930NA and N931NA) Potential astronauts were exposed to simulated near–weightlessness. These aircraft are also known as Vomit Comets. Boeing NB-52B, NASA NB-52BNASA B-52 Tail Number 008 is an air launch carrier aircraft "mothership," as well as a research aircraft platform that has been used on a variety of research projects. Fixed Wing Research, Test Platform Retired (1)  Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Edwards Air Force Base Used as a mothership for the X-15 program, 127 Lifting body flight tests such as the HL-10 test flight, to support development in the Space Shuttle program, and several other miscellaneous test programs. After almost 50 years flying service ''Balls 8'' was retired from active service with NASA on December 17, 2004, following its participation in the Hyper-X program. Boeing X-37 right Research, X-Planes, Active 2006 (drop test), 2010 (orbital flight) Armstrong Flight Research Center Reusable orbital spaceplane. Boeing X-40 right Research, X-Planes, Retired 1998 Armstrong Flight Research Center 80% scale Space Maneuver Vehicle testbed.X-37 prototype. Boeing X-48Boeing X-48C in flight Fixed Wing, UAV Research, X-Planes, Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project Retired (1) Armstrong Flight Research Center X-48 series was utilized to "evaluate the low-speed stability and control of a low-noise version of a notional hybrid-wing-body design." NASA is hoping that this particular aircraft will aid in the design "green airlines." Blended Wing Body (BWB) testbed. Boeing X-45A  right Fixed Wing, UAV Research, X-Planes, Retired  Armstrong Flight Research Center National Air and Space Museum (#1 Blue), National Museum of the United States Air Force (#2 Red)  Boeing X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing right Research, X-Planes, Retired 2002 Armstrong Flight Research Center Active Aeroelastic Wing testbed. Boeing Vertol VZ-2 (Model 76)VZ-2 arriving at Langley Air Force Base from Edwards Air Force Base in 1960 V/STOL, Tilt Rotor Research, Retired (1)  Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Paul E. Garber Facility. Built in the United States in 1957 to investigate the tiltwing approach to vertical take-off and landing. Cessna 206Hright Fixed Wing Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Active (1)  Langley Research Center Langley Research Center  Cessna 337 Skymaster Fixed Wing Civil Aircraft Test, Small Aircraft Transportation System Retired (1) Langley Research Center Cessna 318 T-37 Tweetright Fixed Wing Civil Aircraft Test, Small Aircraft Transportation System Retired (1) Langley Research Center    Cirrus SR22right Fixed Wing Civil Aircraft Test, Small Aircraft Transportation System Retired (1) Langley Research Center Convair 880right Fixed Wing Research, Controlled Impact Demonstration Program Retired (1)  Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Convair 990 (Galileo)right Fixed Wing Airborne observatory, Galileo Observatory Destroyed (1), Retired (1) & Crashed (1)  Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Mojave Air and Space Port The Galileo I aircraft was lost in a mid-air collision in 1973 with a P-3.The Galileo II continued service into the 1980s providing research into aeronautics, astronautics, astronomy, and earth observations, but was destroyed in 1985 by fire after the right main landing gear failed and punctured fuel tanks. NASA 810 was used to test the shuttle landing gear and braking systems, before being retired. Convair F-106 Delta Dart (QF–106A)right Fixed Wing  Retired 1986 - 1998   Langley Research Center  Convair C-131 Samaritan (Convair CV-240)right Fixed Wing Training, Reduced gravity aircraft, Landsat Earth Resources Survey program (ERS) Retired (2)  Langley Research Center, Ellington Field, Houston, TX   Project Mercury astronauts flew aboard a C-131 Samaritan flying as the "vomit comet Dassault HU-25C Falconright Fixed Wing Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Active (1)  Langley Research Center Langley Research Center  de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo (Bisontennial) named in 1976right Fixed Wing Research, STOL Retired (1) 1970s late - early 1980s Ames Research Center Fitted with a short-span Boeing wing incorporating split-flow turbofan engines based on the Rolls-Royce Spey (providing both propulsion and augmentor airflow for the powered lift system). Beginning in 1972 with its first flight in this experimental configuration, this aircraft was used jointly by the NASA Ames Research Center and the Canadian Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce for STOL research. de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo (QSRA)right Fixed Wing Research, STOL, Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft program. Retired (1) 1970s late - early 1980s Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center The experimental wing was designed, fabricated and installed by Boeing was a swept, supercritical design incorporating a boundary layer control system. Instead of the standard engines, this aircraft was powered by four prototype Avco Lycoming YF102 high-bypass turbofan engines (originally from the Northrop YA-9 program) mounted above the wing to take advantage of the Coandă effect. In 1980, this aircraft participated in carrier trials aboard , demonstrating STOL performance without the use of catapults or arrestor gear. de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (N607NA)right Fixed Wing Research, aircraft icing Retired (1) Glenn Research Center Middle Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport Doak VZ-4right VTOL Research Retired (1)  Langley Research Center U.S. Army Transportation Museum  Douglas C-47 Skytrainright Fixed Wing Test Retired  Ames Research Center Douglas C-118 Liftmasterright Fixed Wing Wallops Flight Facility Douglas C-133 Cargomasterright Fixed Wing Heavy Transport Aircraft Retired 1966-1969   Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of Naval Aviation (#1), Carolinas Aviation Museum (#3) Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Planes of Fame Museum (#1), National Air and Space Museum (#2), Antelope Valley College (#3) Douglas F5D Skylancerright Fixed Wing Trainer, Chase Plane Retired (2) 1961 - 1970 Armstrong Flight Research Center Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum (802), Ontario Municipal Airport (708) Used as a testbed for supersonic research and to train pilots for the X-20 Dyna-Soar program. The F5D-1 Skylancer had a wing planform similar to the proposed design for Dyna-Soar. After the Dyna-Soar program was canceled in December 1963, one F5D-1 stayed on at Armstrong, eventually becoming a flight simulator for the M2-F2, and a chase plane for experimental flights until 1970.In May 1970 one of the aircraft was retired and donated to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Douglas X-3 Stilettoright Fixed Wing Research, X-Planes Retired (1) 1952-1956 Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force Titanium alloy construction; low aspect ratio wings. Planned to test long-duration high-speed flight. Incapable of reaching design speed, but provided insights into inertia coupling. Dyke Deltaright Fixed Wing Eiri-Avion PIK-20right Fixed Wing, Sailplane Research, Lift & Aerodynamics Retired (1) 1981-1996 Armstrong Flight Research Center General Atomics ALTUSright Fixed Wing, UAV Research, Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Retired? (2)  Armstrong Flight Research Center General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (Predator-B IKHANA)right Fixed Wing, UAV Research Platform Active (1)  Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falconright Fixed Wing Research, Retired (2) 1988 - 1999 Armstrong Flight Research Center  Prototypes of the F-16XL, designed as a competitor to the F-15E Strike Eagle in the USAF's Enhanced Tactical Fighter program General Dynamics F-16 VISTAright Fixed Wing Research, Variability in flight simulator aircraft Retired (1) Langley Research CenterNow in use by the USAF Test PIlot School under the designation X-62.General Dynamics F-16XLright Fixed Wing Research, Retired (2) Armstrong Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center (1) Grumman Gulfstream INASA Gulfstream I N5VX at Prestwick Fixed Wing Retired (7) Johnson Space Center Grumman X-29right Fixed Wing Research, X-Planes, Forward swept wing Retired (2) 1984-1991 Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force  Grumman Gulfstream IIA Shuttle Training Aircraft at Patrick Space Force Base, ready for takeoff. Fixed Wing Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) Active (4)  NA El Paso Forward Operating Location, Ellington Field, Houston, Texas (NASA C-11A)  Gulfstream G-IIIGulfstream G-III with NASA markings. Fixed Wing Research Platform, Research Platform, Airborne Science Program, Unmanned Air Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) Active (1) 2003 - Today Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center (NASA C–20A) Acquired from the United States Air Force and modified by Armstrong Flight Research Center. The aircraft was equipped with a self-contained on-board Data Collection and Processing System (DCAPS), which allows for automated configuration setups thereby reducing engineering costs for each flight. The aircraft has been used by the Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) program, the Access 5 program alongside Scaled Composites Proteus aircraft, and as a test bed to develop collision avoidance systems and procedures. Gulfstream G-III, NASA oneGulfstream G-III with NASA markings. Fixed Wing Business jet of the NASA Administrator Active (1) 2003 - 2008 NA NASA one was a Gulfstream G-III with a seating capacity of 12 people. The jet is stored in an FAA hangar along with 3 other government planes. NASA now shares a plane with FAA. Gulfstream X-54  Research, X-Planes, Proposed  Armstrong Flight Research Center  Hawker Siddeley P.1127right V/STOL Retired  Langley Research Center  Kreider-Reisner XC-31right Fixed Wing Research, DeIcing Retired (1) Langley Research Center Learjet 23right Fixed Wing Business jet ? Learjet 24right Fixed Wing Business jet   Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center  Lear Jet Airborne Observatory Learjet 25right Fixed Wing Business jet Active  Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Flight Facility  Learjet 28right Fixed Wing Business jet  Ling-Temco-Vought LTV XC-142right V/STOL, Tilt Wing Research, Transport aircraft Retired (1) 1966-1970 Langley Research Center Lockheed C-5 Galaxyright Fixed Wing Heavy transport aircraft Active (2)  Flown by USAF crews. Lockheed C-121 Starlinerright Fixed Wing  Retired Lockheed C-141A Starlifterright Fixed Wing Airborne observatory, Kuiper Airborne Observatory Retired (1) 1974 - 1995 Ames Research Center  Lockheed F-104A Starfighter right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center National Air and Space Museum (818) (N818NA), Air Force Flight Test Center Museum  (N820NA) (0790) Lockheed F-104B Starfighter right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center McClellan AFB (N819NA) Lockheed F-104G Starfighter right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Estrella Warbird Museum (N824NA), Armstrong Flight Research Center (N826NA) Lockheed F-104N Starfighter right Fixed Wing Chase Retired (6) & Crashed (1) 1963 - 1995 Armstrong Flight Research Center Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (N811NA) (4045), Lockheed Martin, Palmdale, CA (N812NA) One of these aircraft, piloted by Joe Walker, collided with the XB-70 Valkyrie experimental bomber on June 8, 1966, killing Walker. Lockheed JetStarright Fixed Wing Research Platform Retired (1) 1964-1989 Armstrong Flight Research Center Lockheed NC-130B Herculesright Fixed Wing Research Platform, Landsat Earth Resources Survey program (ERS) Active (1) Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Flight Facility Lockheed P-3 Orionright Fixed Wing Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Active (1)  Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Flight Facility Lockheed S-3 Vikingright Fixed Wing Research Platform Retired Glenn Research Center Lockheed SR-71right Fixed Wing Trainer Retired (1) 1991 - 1999 Armstrong Flight Research Center Pima Air Museum The plane was permanently retired in 1998, and the Air Force quickly disposed of their SR-71s, leaving NASA with the last two airworthy Blackbirds until 1999.All other Blackbirds have been moved to museums except for the two SR-71s and a few D-21 drones retained by the NASA Dryden Research Center. Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Fixed Wing Trainer Retired (1) 1991 - 1999 Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center The plane was permanently retired in 1998, and the Air Force quickly disposed of their SR-71s, leaving NASA with the last two airworthy Blackbirds until 1999.All other Blackbirds have been moved to museums except for the two SR-71s and a few D-21 drones retained by the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. Lockheed SR-71B Blackbird Fixed Wing Trainer Retired (1) 1991 - 1999 Armstrong Flight Research Center Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum The plane was permanently retired in 1998, and the Air Force quickly disposed of their SR-71s, leaving NASA with the last two airworthy Blackbirds until 1999.All other Blackbirds have been moved to museums except for the two SR-71s and a few D-21 drones retained by the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. Lockheed U-2 "Dragon Lady"right Fixed Wing Research Platform, Airborne Science Program, Landsat Earth Resources Survey program (ERS), High Altitude Active (2) Armstrong Flight Research Center  Modified to the ER-2 (Earth Resources-2) standard Lockheed YF-12right Fixed Wing Research, Retired (1) Armstrong Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force Lockheed YO-3 Quiet Starright Fixed Wing Research Retired (1)  Armstrong Flight Research Center X-33 Venture Star right Research, X-Planes, Retired (1) Prototype never completed Lockheed Martin Half-scale reusable launch vehicle prototype. Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA Research, X-Planes, Retired Cancelled Armstrong Flight Research Center F-22-based Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft thrust vectoring testbed. Lockheed Martin X-56 (MUTT) right Fixed Wing, UAV Research Platform, X-Planes, Multi-Utility Technology Testbed Retired (1) 2012 Armstrong Flight Research Center Active flutter suppression and gust load alleviation technology for potential use in future high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) reconnaissance aircraft. Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST right Research, X-Planes In Development (1) 2022 Armstrong Flight Research Center Low boom quiet super sonic demonstrator. Martin WB-57 Canberraright Fixed Wing Research Platform - Airborne Science Program, Landsat Earth Resources Survey program (ERS) High Altitude Active (3) Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Earth Resources Technology Satellite program (ERTS), Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers - Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL - FACE) and Clouds and Water Vapor in the Climate System (CWVCS) Martin-Marietta X-24A right Research, X-Planes, Retired  Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force Low-speed lifting body handling testbed.Lifting body aerodynamic shape trials. Martin-Marietta X-24B right Research, X-Planes, Retired 1973 Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force Low-speed lifting body handling testbed.Lifting body aerodynamic shape trials. McDonnell 188 (Breguet 941)right STOL Retired (1)  Armstrong Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center McDonnell Douglas DC-8right Fixed Wing Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Active (1)  Armstrong Flight Research Center McDonnell Douglas C-9 Skytrain IIright Fixed Wing Training, Reduced gravity aircraft Active (1) 2005 - TBD Johnson Space Center   Ex-USN C-9B McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIright Fixed Wing Chase Plane Retired  Armstrong Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center X-15 program, Lifting body flights (also collected biomedical data and used to see if sonic booms could be used as a weapon) McDonnell Douglas F-15A RPRV/SRV right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center	 McDonnell Douglas F-15 STOL/MTDright Fixed Wing Research Platform, advanced propulsion concepts Retired (1) 1993 – 1999 and IFCS programs 2002 – TBD Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center F-15S/MTD The F-15B research aircraft (tail number 837), the first two-seat F-15 built by McDonnell Douglas, was used initially for developmental testing and evaluation. McDonnell Douglas F-15B right Active (1)  Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center   McDonnell Douglas F-15D right Active (2)  Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center   McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet right Active (3)  Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center   McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (842NA)right Fixed Wing Research Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Clear Channel Stadium McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 HARVright Fixed Wing Research, High Alpha Research Vehicle Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Virginia Air and Space Center (840NA) McDonnell Douglas X-36 right Research, X-Planes, Retired 1997 Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force 28% scale tailless fighter testbed. McCulloch J-2right Rotorcraft Civil Test Retired? (1) 1973 Langley Research Center Micro Craft X-43 Hyper-X right Research, X-Planes, Retired 2001 Armstrong Flight Research Center Scramjet hypersonic testbed (Mach 9.68) (110,000 ft). NASA X-57 right Research, X-Planes, In Development (1) 2021 Armstrong Flight Research Center Fully electric powered aircraft demonstrator. MIT Daedalusright Fixed Wing Research, Human Powered Retired (1) 1988 Armstrong Flight Research Center Museum of Science (Boston) NASA AD-1NASA AD-1 Fixed Wing Research, Oblique Wing Retired (1) 1979 - 1982 Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Hiller Aviation Museum Successfully demonstrated an aircraft wing that could be pivoted obliquely from zero to 60 degrees during flight. NASA Hyper IIIright Fixed Wing, UAV  Retired (1)  Armstrong Flight Research Center NASA Mini-Snifferright Fixed Wing, UAV Research, atmosphere, high altitude Retired (3) 1975 - 1982 Langley Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center NASA M2-F1NASA M2-F1 Lifting body Fixed Wing Model Retired (1) Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center The NASA M2-F1 was a lightweight, unpowered prototype aircraft, developed to flight test the wingless Lifting body concept. It looked like a "flying bathtub," and was designated the M2–F1, the "M" referring to "manned" and "F" referring to "flight" version. In 1962, NASA Dryden management approved a program to build a lightweight, unpowered Lifting body prototype. It featured a plywood shell placed over a tubular steel frame crafted at Dryden. Construction was completed in 1963.NASA ParesevNASA Parasev Fixed Wing, Paraglider Research, Space Capsule Safety (1) Retired (4) 1961 - 1965  Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Was designed to study the ability of the Rogallo wing, also called ''Parawing'', to descend a payload such as the Gemini space capsule safely from high altitude to ground. Specifically, the Paresev was a test vehicle used to learn how to control this paraglider for a safe landing at a normal airfield. NASA X-43right Fixed Wing, UAV Research, X-Planes Retired (3)  Langley Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center North American AJ Savageright Fixed Wing Trainer, Reduced gravity aircraft Retired (3) 1960 - TBD  North American A3J-1 Vigilante Fixed Wing Research - Supersonic transport program Retired (3)  Armstrong Flight Research CenterA3J-1 147858 to NASA as 858.Brought from NAS Patuxent River and spent one year at in support of supersonic transport program. North American F-82 Twin Mustangright Fixed Wing Research, Handling & Performance Retired (1)  Langley Research Center North American F-86 Sabreright Fixed Wing Chase Retired  Armstrong Flight Research Center North American F-100 Super Sabreright Fixed Wing Retired  Armstrong Flight Research Center North American OV-10 Broncoright Fixed Wing Research, Noise & Wave Turbulence Retired  Langley Research Center North American X-15 (Rocket plane)right Fixed Wing Research, X-Planes, Hypersonic Flight Retired (1) 1959 - 1968 Armstrong Flight Research Center Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Conceived by NACA, three were built and explored the regime of hypersonic flight, often regarded as a direct predecessor to the Space Shuttle North American X-15A-2 right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force North American XB-70A Valkyrieright Fixed Wing Research, Retired (1), Crashed (1) 1965 - 1969 Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center National Museum of the United States Air Force NASA participated heavily in the design and testing of the  XB-70 Valkyrie in the mid to late 1960s. NASA and the United States Air Force had a joint agreement to use the second XB–70A prototype for high–speed research flights in support of the proposed SST program. These plans went awry on June 8, 1966, when the second XB–70 crashed following a midair collision with NASA's F–104N chase plane. After 33 research flights following the mid–air collision, the remaining XB–70A was flown to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on February 4, 1969 for museum display. North American YF-93right Fixed Wing Research, Retired (2)  Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center North American F-107 right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Pima Air and Space Museum	(#1) (55-5118) Northrop HL-10right Fixed Wing Research, Lifting body Retired (1) Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center Northrop M2-F2right Fixed Wing Research, Lifting body Retired (1) Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Northrop M2-F3right Fixed Wing Research, Lifting body Retired (1) Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Northrop T-38 Talonright Fixed Wing Trainer Active, Retired 1960s - Today  El Paso Forward Operating Location, Ellington Field, Houston, Texas Used as a jet trainer for its astronauts since the 1960s. Northrop X-4 Bantam right Research, X-Planes, Retired 1948 Armstrong Flight Research Center Air Force Flight Test Center Museum#Air Force Flight Test Museum Evaluated handling characteristics of tailless aircraft in the transonic speed region. Northrop-Grumman F-5E modifiedright Fixed Wing Research, Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) Retired (1) 2003-2007 Armstrong Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum The Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration was a two-year program that used an F-5E with a modified fuselage in order to demonstrate that the aircraft's shockwave, and accompanying sonic boom, can be shaped and thereby reduced. Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk right Fixed Wing, UAV Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Active (2)  Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center Orbital Sciences X-34 right Fixed Wing Research, X-Planes, Retired Never flew  National Museum of the United States Air Force	 Reusable unmanned space plane testbed. OMAC Laser 300right Fixed Wing Civil Test Retired (3)  Langley Research Center Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche right Retired Armstrong Flight Research Center Kings River Community College (808NA)	 Pitcairn PAA-1right V/STOL Research, Retired (1) Langley Research Center Rockwell RPRV-870 HiMATright Fixed Wing, UAV Research, Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology Retired (2) Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Rockwell-MBB X-31right Fixed Wing Research, X-Planes,  Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability (EFM) Retired (1), Crashed (2) Armstrong Flight Research Center, European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company Oberschleißheim Museum (part of the Deutsches Museum)  Rutan VariEzeright Fixed Wing Research, Civil Air Active Langley Research Center Ryan VZ-3 Vertiplaneright VTOL Experimental VTOL aircraft Retired (1) Moffett Federal Airfield United States Army Aviation Museum Ryan XV-5 Vertifanright V/STOL Research, Rescue Research Retired (1) Ames Research Center United States Army Aviation Museum Scaled Composites X-38 right Research, X-Planes, Retired (2) 1999 Armstrong Flight Research Center Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (V-131), Strategic Air and Space Museum(V-132) Lifting body Crew Return Vehicle demonstrator. Systems Integration Evaluation Remote Research Aircraft (SIERRA)right Fixed Wing, UAV Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Crashed (1)  Ames Research Center Lost at Sea  Schweizer X-26 Frigate right Research, X-Planes, Retired 1967 Armstrong Flight Research Center National Soaring Museum (1-36) Training glider for yaw-roll couplingQuiet observation aircraft testbed. Sikorsky CH-54B Tarheright Rotorcraft Utility Retired (1) 18 Mar 1972 - 15 Jan 1974 Langley Research Center Firefighting helicopter NASA s/n was NASA 539.Now owned by US Leaseco Inc Aurora,OR,US https://www.helis.com/database/cn/5060/ Sikorsky H-19right Rotorcraft Utility Retired (1) Langley Research Center Sikorsky S-72, RSRAright V/STOL Research, Retired (2) 1979-? Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center RSRA, Rotor Systems Research Aircraft Vought F-8 Crusader (Fly by Wire)right Fixed Wing Research Platform, Digital Fly–By–Wire Control System Retired (1) 1970s Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center Technology has become standard on modern high performance military aircraft. Vought F-8 Crusader (Supercritical wing)right Fixed Wing Research Platform, Supercritical wing Retired (1) 1970s Armstrong Flight Research Center Armstrong Flight Research Center Technology has become standard on modern high performance military aircraft. Vought XF8U-3 Crusader IIIright Fixed Wing Research, Atmospheric Platform Retired (3) 1958-? eXperimental Sensor-Controller Aerial Vehicle (XSCAV) Fixed Wing, UAV Research Platform, Airborne Science Program Active (1)  Ames Research Center Ames Research Center
References === Bibliography ===*
External links *  Where Are They Now? at NASA Dryden