NAVAIR F/A-18E Prepared for Return from NASA Armstrong

An F/A-18E from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, Maryland, is moved from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Flight Loads Laboratory in Edwards, California, to a hangar where it will undergo final preparations to return to its squadron. The aircraft underwent the center’s biggest load calibrations tests. The testing will permit the aircraft to serve as a test vehicle to determine if it can safely manage maneuvers and proposed upgrades.

An F/A-18E from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, Maryland, is moved from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Flight Loads Laboratory in Edwards, California, to a hangar where it will undergo final preparations to return to its squadron. The aircraft underwent the center’s biggest load calibrations tests. The testing will permit the aircraft to serve as a test vehicle to determine if it can safely manage maneuvers and proposed upgrades.

Photographer NASA/Joshua Fisher
Location AFRC
NASAAFRCArmstrong Flight Research CenterNAVAIRFlight Loads Laboratoryloads testingF A-18ESuper HornetEdwards Air Force BaseCaliforniaNaval Air Systems CommandNAVAIR