The F-15 ACTIVE in flight above the Mojave desert on April 14, 1998. The overhead shot shows the aircraft's striking red and while paint scheme/ The large forward canards are actually the tail surfaces from an F-18.

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown flying next to a NASA F/A‑18 during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The full F‑15 is visible, along with a partial view of the F/A‑18’s wing, as both aircraft display new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. NASA/Jim Ross

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown flying next to a NASA F/A‑18 during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The full F‑15 is visible, along with a partial view of the F/A‑18’s wing, as both aircraft display new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. NASA/Jim Ross

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown flying next to a NASA F/A‑18 during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The full F‑15 is visible, along with a partial view of the F/A‑18’s wing, as both aircraft display new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. NASA/Jim Ross

The F-15 Advanced Controls Technology for Integrated Vehicles, the first pre-production F-15B, shows its canards. Less obvious are the multi-axis thrust vectoring exhaust nozzles.

F-15 #281 and F-104 #826 fly in formation during Space Shuttle tile testing. Note the tiles mounted on the right wing of the F-15 and the centerline test fixture of the F-104.

F-15 Propulsion Controlled Aircraft (PCA) simulation cockpit

The F-15 ACTIVE touches down on the Edwards runway following its April 14, 1998 flight. The nose is high while the canards have their rear edge raised. the aircraft's speed brake, located on the top of the aircraft behind the canopy, is also raised.

F-15 N836NA with test pilots Nils Larson and Jim Less at the controls flying over the Colorado River during Shock Sensing Probe (SSP) Flight #6.

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The aircraft displays new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The F‑15, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. NASA/Jim Ross

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The aircraft displays new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The F‑15, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. NASA/Jim Ross

NASA photographer Jim Ross flies above Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in an F-18 aircraft, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover. A NASA F-15 is seen flying to the side of the NASA F-18.

NASA photographer Jim Ross captures photos as he flies above Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in an F-18 aircraft, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover. A NASA F-15 and T-38 are seen flying to the sides of the NASA F-18.

NASA's highly modified F-15A (Serial #71-0287) used for digital electronic flight and engine control systems research, at sunrise on the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, California. The F-15 was called the HIDEC (Highly Integrated Digital Electronic Control) flight facility. Research programs flown on the testbed vehicle have demonstrated improved rates of climb, fuel savings, and engine thrust by optimizing systems performance. The aircraft also tested and evaluated a computerized self-repairing flight control system for the Air Force that detects damaged or failed flight control surfaces. The system then reconfigures undamaged control surfaces so the mission can continue or the aircraft is landed safely.

One of NASA's two F-15 research aircraft gets refueled in mid-air over Lake Isabella from a USAF KC-135 tanker while NASA's other F-15 flies chase alongside.

NASA pilot Nils Larson, left, walks next to crew chief Walt Kondracki, right, by an F-15 aircraft Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. In the background, NASA mechanic Tim Logan secures the cockpit inside of the F-15, and flight test engineer A.J. Jaffe stands to the right.

A NASA F-15 aircraft flies above Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The wing of a NASA F-18 is seen in the foreground, as a NASA photographer captured this image from inside the cockpit. This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover.

NASA photographer Jim Ross takes a selfie from the rear seat of a NASA F/A‑18 during a cross‑country flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The agency’s F‑15, flying alongside the aircraft, is visible through the window. Both aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

NASA’s F-15, right, and F/A-18 aircraft are shown at International Aerospace Coatings Inc.’s facility in Spokane, Washington, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, with new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover in Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with other NASA and military aircraft. NASA/Jim Ross

A NASA F-15 aircraft flies above Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stands to the right of NASA Armstrong Center Director Troy Asher, left, in front of an F-15 aircraft. Both pilots flew above Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

A NASA F-15 aircraft flies above Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover.

A NASA F-15 aircraft flies above Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover.

NASA’s 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California where Jenni Sidey-Gibbons looks inside engine nozzle of F-15 jet. The F-15 will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages for the X-59 development.

NASA's 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California (L to R) Jenni Sidey-Gibbons, Raja Chari, Loral O'Hara, Jasmin Moghbeli, Jonny Kim and Jessica Watkins look inside the engine nozzle of an F-15 jet. The F-15 will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages for the X-59 development.

NASA’s F-15 aircraft is shown at International Aerospace Coatings Inc.’s facility in Spokane, Washington, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, with new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover in Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with other NASA and military aircraft. NASA/Jim Ross

NASA Armstrong pilot Jim Less, left, and center director, Troy Asher, right, stand in front of a NASA F-15 aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Both pilots took part in a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover.

NASA test pilot Jim “Clue” Less completes pre‑flight checks on a NASA F‑15 in Spokane, Washington, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, displays new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and was preparing to fly cross‑country to Washington, D.C., where it participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. NASA/Jim Ross

Oregon Air National Guard ground crew guides one of NASA’s newest F-15 aircraft onto the ramp at the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. The retired U.S. Air Force F-15s come from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing and will transition from military service to support NASA’s flight research fleet.

Oregon Air National Guard pilots deliver NASA’s newest F-15 aircraft from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. After completing their final flights with the Air Force, the two aircraft begin their new role supporting NASA’s flight research.

AST (Advanced Supersonic Technology) Propulsion Noise Research test on the F-15 model with nacelle in the 40x80ft Subsonic Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center, Mt View, CA

A F-15 aircraft owned by NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, flies above a mountain range on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The agency’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) test article is attached to the bottom of this F-15. This project aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow. 

NASA’s newest F-15 aircraft arrive at the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. The two retired U.S. Air Force F-15s will support ongoing supersonic flight research for NASA’s Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project and the Quesst mission’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft.

NASA's 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California where (L to R) Loral O'Hara, Jenni Sidey-Gibbons and Raja Chari look inside the engine nozzle of an F-15 jet. The F-15 will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages for the X-59 development.

NASA's 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California (L to R) Raja Chari, Jenni Sidey-Gibbons, Loral O'Hara, Jasmin Moghbeli, Jonny Kim and Jessica Watkins look inside the engine nozzle of an F-15 jet. The F-15 will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages for the X-59 development.

NASA crew chief Walt Kondracki checks an F-15 aircraft Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Ground crews, made of various roles, maintain the aircraft to be ready for each mission.

Two NASA F-15 aircraft sit on the ramp at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Edwards, California, ahead of dual F-15 flights that validated the integration of three tools – the Airborne Schlieren Photography System (ASPS), the Airborne Location Integrating Geospatial Navigation System (ALIGNS), and shock-sensing probe. Together these tools will measure and visualize the shock waves generated by NASA's X-59.

An F-15 aircraft flies above the world’s largest compass rose above NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, April 20, 2026. NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) test article is attached to the bottom of the F-15. The project aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.

An F-15 research aircraft sits on the ramp at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. NASA pilots Jim Less, front seat, and Carrie Worth prepare for the flight. The agency’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) test article is attached to the bottom of the F-15. The project aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.

NASA staff and Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing crew pose for a group photo at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. The group stands in front of one of two F-15 aircraft added to the agency’s flight research fleet.

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown flying next to a NASA F/A‑18 during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. The F‑15, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, is painted in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown flying next to a NASA F/A‑18 during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. The F‑15, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, is painted in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

A NASA F‑15 aircraft is shown flying next to a NASA F/A‑18 during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. The F‑15, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, is painted in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

A NASA F/A-18 aircraft is shown flying next to the agency’s newly painted F-15 during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. The F‑15, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, is painted in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

Photographer Jim Ross captures images of NASA’s F/A‑18 from the back seat of an F‑15 flying alongside during the Pacific Airshow at Huntington Beach, California, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. NASA is also hosting an exhibit featuring Artemis, the X‑59, SkyFall, a lunar globe, and an Apollo 15 Moon rock.

NASA’s Cross Flow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow test article is mounted beneath the agency’s F-15 research aircraft ahead of the design’s high-speed taxi test on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The 3-foot-tall scale model is designed to increase a phenomenon known as laminar flow and reduce drag, improving efficiency in large, swept wings like those found on most commercial aircraft.

NASA’s Cross Flow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow test article is mounted beneath the agency’s F-15 research aircraft ahead of the design’s high-speed taxi test on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The 3-foot-tall scale model is designed to increase a phenomenon known as laminar flow and reduce drag, improving efficiency in large, swept wings like those found on most commercial aircraft.

NASA’s Cross Flow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow test article is mounted beneath the agency’s F-15 research aircraft ahead of the design’s high-speed taxi test on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The 3-foot-tall scale model is designed to increase a phenomenon known as laminar flow and reduce drag, improving efficiency in large, swept wings like those found on most commercial aircraft.

Oregon Air National Guard and NASA flight crew look out across the desert while awaiting the arrival of the NASA’s newest F-15 aircraft from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.

NASA photographer Jim Ross rides in the back seat of the agency’s newly painted F‑15, which honors America’s 250th birthday, during a transit flight to Huntington Beach, California, piloted by NASA test pilot Wayne Ringelberg, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. The aircraft will fly in the Pacific Airshow, Oct. 2-4.

Akosua Dufie, F‑18 lead operations engineer, talks with visitors at the NASA exhibit during the Pacific Airshow at Huntington Beach, California, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. The exhibit highlights Artemis, the X‑59, SkyFall, a lunar globe, and an Apollo 15 Moon rock.

NASA’s 15th Administrator Jared Issacman, center, poses for a photo with NASA pilots Mike Lippert, left, and Wayne Ringelberg in front of agency’s newly painted F‑15, which honors America’s 250th birthday, during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

NASA quality assurance specialist Walt Kondracki inspects an agency F-15 aircraft at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, California, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. The jet was among the NASA aircraft that flew in the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Oct. 2-4.

NASA F-15 Crew Chief Zach Burke inspects the aircraft at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, California, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. The jet was among the NASA aircraft that flew in the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Oct. 2-4.

NASA’s T-38 Talon, left, F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle, right, aircraft are seen as they perform a flyover during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA’s T-38 Talon, left, F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle, right, aircraft are seen as they perform a flyover during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA’s T-38 Talon, left, F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle, right, aircraft are seen as they perform a flyover during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA’s T-38 Talon, F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle aircraft are seen as they perform a flyover during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

NASA’s T-38 Talon, left, F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle, right, aircraft are seen as they perform a flyover during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA’s T-38 Talon, left, F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle, right, aircraft are seen as they perform a flyover during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA’s T-38 Talon, left, F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle, right, aircraft are seen as they perform a flyover during the Great American State Fair, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A NASA F-15 aircraft sits 20 feet off the left side of the X-59 aircraft, with a white hangar and hills in the background, during electromagnetic interference testing.

A NASA F-15 aircraft sits 20 feet off the left side of the X-59 aircraft, with a white hangar and hills in the background, during electromagnetic interference testing.

NASA’s Spacey Casey poses in front of NASA’s F-15 painted with new red, white, and blue livery to celebrate America’s 250th birthday at the Boeing Plaza at the 2026 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Saturday, July 26, 2026.

NASA's 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California where they checked out a F-15 cockpit. The center is using its fleet of supersonic research support aircraft for sonic boom research, including the F-15, which will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages, and the F-18, which is conducting supersonic research in support of the overall mission.

NASA’s 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California where they checked out a F-15 cockpit. The center is using its fleet of supersonic research support aircraft for sonic boom research, including the F-15, which will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages, and the F-18, which is conducting supersonic research in support of the overall mission.

NASA's 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California where they checked out a F-15 cockpit. The center is using its fleet of supersonic research support aircraft for sonic boom research, including the F-15, which will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages, and the F-18, which is conducting supersonic research in support of the overall mission.

A NASA F/A‑18 aircraft is shown in Spokane, Washington, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, with new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, was preparing to fly cross‑country to Washington, D.C., where it participated in the Freedom 250 flyover with other NASA and military aircraft on Saturday, July 4, 2026. NASA/Jim Ross

NASA’s F-18 aircraft is shown at International Aerospace Coatings Inc.’s facility in Spokane, Washington, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, with new red, white, and blue paint to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The aircraft, from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, participated in the Freedom 250 flyover in Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with other NASA and military aircraft. NASA/Jim Ross

NASA photographer Jim Ross flies above the Washington Monument in Washington on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in an F-18 aircraft, as part of a flyover to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. This aircraft is from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and it joined other NASA aircraft for the flyover.

NASA test pilot Mike Lippert flies an F/A‑18 with videographer Lori Losey in the back seat during a Pacific Airshow flyover at Huntington Beach, California, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. NASA is also hosting an exhibit featuring Artemis, the X‑59, SkyFall, a lunar globe, and an Apollo 15 Moon rock, with pilots and research experts available throughout the weekend.

NASA test pilot Mike Lippert flies an F/A‑18 with videographer Lori Losey in the back seat during a Pacific Airshow flyover at Huntington Beach, California, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. NASA is also hosting an exhibit featuring Artemis, the X‑59, SkyFall, a lunar globe, and an Apollo 15 Moon rock, with pilots and research experts available throughout the weekend.

NASA test pilot Mike Lippert flies an F/A‑18 with videographer Lori Losey in the back seat during a Pacific Airshow flyover at Huntington Beach, California, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. NASA is also hosting an exhibit featuring Artemis, the X‑59, SkyFall, a lunar globe, and an Apollo 15 Moon rock, with pilots and research experts available throughout the weekend.

NASA test pilot Mike Lippert flies an F/A‑18 with videographer Lori Losey in the back seat during a Pacific Airshow flyover at Huntington Beach, California, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. NASA is also hosting an exhibit featuring Artemis, the X‑59, SkyFall, a lunar globe, and an Apollo 15 Moon rock, with pilots and research experts available throughout the weekend.

NASA test pilot Mike Lippert flies an F/A‑18 with videographer Lori Losey in the back seat during a Pacific Airshow flyover at Huntington Beach, California, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. NASA is also hosting an exhibit featuring Artemis, the X‑59, SkyFall, a lunar globe, and an Apollo 15 Moon rock, with pilots and research experts available throughout the weekend.

NASA’s 15th Administrator Jared Issacman, center, poses with, from left, Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator; NASA pilot Mike Lippert; NASA pilot Wayne Ringelberg; and Todd Ericson, senior advisor to the administrator, in front of agency’s newly painted F‑15, which honors America’s 250th birthday, during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

NASA’s 15th Administrator Jared Issacman, center, poses with, from left, NASA photographer Jim Ross; Sean Gustafson, senior advisor to the administrator; NASA pilot Mike Lippert; NASA pilot Wayne Ringelberg; Todd Ericson, senior advisor to the administrator; and videographer Lori Losey in front of agency’s newly painted F‑15, which honors America’s 250th birthday, during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, California, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

NASA’s F/A-18, a Northrop F-5 Tiger II, and NASA’s F-15 are on static display at Red, White, and Boom, the U.S. Air Force Test Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and NASA Armstrong’s commemoration of its 80th year at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. The event brought together the workforce, families, and the Edwards community for a high‑energy day featuring a Flightline 5K, Ramp Fest and STEM Expo, static aircraft displays, hands‑on STEM activities, and a NASA flyover with a sonic boom.

NASA’s F/A-18, a Northrop F-5 Tiger II, and NASA’s F-15 are on static display at Red, White, and Boom, the U.S. Air Force Test Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and NASA Armstrong’s commemoration of its 80th year at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. The event brought together the workforce, families, and the Edwards community for a high‑energy day featuring a Flightline 5K, Ramp Fest and STEM Expo, static aircraft displays, hands‑on STEM activities, and a NASA flyover with sonic boom.

This photograph shows NASA's 3/8th-scale remotely piloted research vehicle landing on Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in 1975.

A collection of NASA's research aircraft on the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Center in July 1997: X-31, F-15 ACTIVE, SR-71, F-106, F-16XL Ship #2, X-38, Radio Controlled Mothership and X-36.

A Northrop F-5 Tiger II and NASA’s F-15 prepare for Red, White, and Boom, the U.S. Air Force Test Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and NASA Armstrong’s commemoration of its 80th year, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. The event brought together the workforce, families, and the Edwards community for a high‑energy day featuring a Flightline 5K, Ramp Fest and STEM Expo, static aircraft displays, hands‑on STEM activities, and a NASA flyover with sonic boom.

NASA's 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California where Crew Chief Tom Grindle talks with (L to R) Jessica Watkins and Raja Chari near engine nozzle of F-15 jet. The F-15 will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages for the X-59 development.

Walker made the first NASA-piloted X-15 flight March 25, 1960, and flew the aircraft 24 times, achieving its highest altitude (354,300 ft.) Aug. 22, 1963. He died piloting a F-104 that was caught up in a vortex of the XB-70.

NASA photographer James Ross monitors the Airborne Location Integrating Geospatial Navigation System (ALIGNS) from the backseat of an F-15 near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The ALIGNS provides real-time positioning guidance between aircraft for shock wave probing and schlieren imagery capture.

NASA’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale-model wing flies on a NASA F-15 research jet during a test flight from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The CATNLF technology is designed to maintain smooth airflow, known as laminar flow. NASA will continue flight tests to collect data that validates the CATNLF design and its potential to improve laminar flow, reducing drag and lowering fuel costs for future commercial aircraft.

NASA’s F-15 research test bed will expose the Swept Wing Laminar Flow test article to speeds up to Mach 2, matching conditions presented during wind tunnel testing at NASA’s Langley Research Center.

NASA test pilots Jim Less, left, and Nils Larson walk away from a hangar at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026. The pilots support the agency’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) project, which aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.

NASA researchers Mike Frederick, right, and Michelle Banchy, left, along with Ashante Jordan and intern Phillip Nguyen, sit in a control room and prepare for a flight test Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The agency’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) project aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.

NASA flight test engineer A.J. Jaffe and pilot Nils Larson walk on the ramp before a flight Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The two support the agency’s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) project, which aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.

NASA’s 2017 astronaut candidates (L to R) Jessica Watkins, Zena Cardman, Kayla Barron toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California where they were briefed on the use of Armstrong's F-15 and F-18 aircraft for studying sonic booms. The aircraft will be used during the development of the low-boom X-59 aircraft that is planned to fly supersonically over land, which is not allowed at this time because of the loud noise created when flying beyond the speed of sound.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 research aircraft. A NASA F-15 research aircraft (not pictured) captured the image as the X-59 traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where it will begin flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land.

NASA’s 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California. On the right, NASA’s, X-59 pilot Nils Larsen, briefs the astronauts as they look at Armstrong’s fleet of supersonic research support aircraft, including the F-15, which will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages, and the F-18, which is conducting supersonic research in support of the overall mission.

NASA's 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California. On the right, NASA's, X-59 pilot Nils Larsen, briefs the astronauts as they look at Armstrong's fleet of supersonic research support aircraft, including the F-15, which will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages, and the F-18, which is conducting supersonic research in support of the overall mission.

NASA's 2017 astronaut candidates toured aircraft hangar at Armstrong Flight Research Center, in Southern California. On the right, NASA's, X-59 pilot Nils Larsen, briefs the astronauts as they look at Armstrong's fleet of supersonic research support aircraft, including the F-15, which will fly in tandem with the X-59 QueSST during early flight test stages, and the F-18, which is conducting supersonic research in support of the overall mission.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 research aircraft. A NASA F-15 research aircraft (not pictured) captured the image as the X-59 traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where it will begin flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land.

NASA ground crew prepares the agency’s F-15 research aircraft and Cross Flow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) test article ahead of its first high-speed taxi test on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The CATNLF design aims to reduce drag on wing surfaces to improve efficiency and, in turn, reduce fuel burn.

NASA’s Cross Flow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale model completes its first major milestone – high-speed taxi test – Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2026, at Edwards Air Force Base in California. NASA’s F-15 research aircraft, with the 3-foot-tall test article mounted on its underside, reached speeds of approximately 144 mph during testing. If successful, the technology could be applied to future commercial aircraft to improve efficiency and potentially reduce fuel consumption.

NASA’s Cross Flow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) scale model completes its first major milestone – high-speed taxi test – Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2026, at Edwards Air Force Base in California. NASA’s F-15 research aircraft, with the 3-foot-tall test article mounted on its underside, reached speeds of approximately 144 mph during testing. If successful, the technology could be applied to future commercial aircraft to improve efficiency and potentially reduce fuel consumption.