What We Do

Armstrong’s Strength is the Integration of Complex Developmental Systems

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, has the facilities and requisite expertise to conceive, design, analyze, fabricate, integrate, maintain, and conduct disciplinary research, flight research and flight test on modified or unique research vehicles and systems.

Research & Engineering

Mission Operations

Flight Operations

Simulation Laboratory

Life Support Systems

Research & Engineering

Providing research and project support engineering to NASA and industry partners.

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NASA engineers put the X-57 through its initial telemetry tests at AFRC.

Explore Armstrong Research Programs

Small Business Programs

Providing opportunities for small companies and research institutions to participate in government-sponsored efforts in key technology areas.

A red colorized schlieren image of a small-scale model of NASA’s X-59 aircraft.

Technology Development

Crafting creative solutions that advance emerging technologies from concept development and experiment formulation to final testing.

An illustration showing a twin fuselage glider launching a rocket. The airplane that towed the glider to altitude is seen in the background flying off with tow rope attached.

Technology Transfer

Providing benefit to the Nation by transferring NASA technologies to U.S. companies and academia

Flight Operations

Managing and providing technical direction for all Armstrong flight operations and flight support activities.

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NASA F/A-18 in background, aviation maintenance crew chief Walt Kondracki guides a NASA F-15.

aircraft Flown at armstrong

See List of Armstrong's Aircraft Fleet

Gulfstream III

Aerodynamics Research Test Bed

NASA’s first all-electric X-plane, the X-57 Maxwell, in its final configuration.

X-57

Maxwell all-electric experimental aircraft

DC-8

Airborne Science Laboratory

ER-2

High-Altitude Science Aircraft

F-15B

Aeronautics Research Test Bed

Global Hawk

Unmanned Aerial System

Flight Operations Spotlight

Air Crew Life Support Systems

Armstrong’s Life Support Office performs inspections, maintenance, and services for aircraft flight equipment. These systems include maintaining ejection seats, aircraft oxygen systems, pressure suits, flight equipment and pyrotechnics. The office staff also conducts aircrew training in the use of life support and emergency escape systems.

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NASA pilot Jim Less is assisted by life support as he is fitted with a Cobham designed VigiLOX pilot oxygen monitoring system. VigiLOX is a sensing system that is attached to a pilot’s existing gear to capture real-time physiological, breathing gas and cockpit environmental data.

NASA

Mission Operations

Providing world-class test systems capabilities and flight test and research support through cutting-edge products and services.

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The Triplex 7M telemetry antenna at far right and the two radars to the left are a few of the assets of the DATR.

Predicting Discovery

Simulation Laboratory

The key to ground test operations in the Research Aircraft Integration Facility (RAIF) is the ability to perform real-time operations with the actual flight vehicle, simulating the in-flight environment while remaining on the ground.

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X-57 principal investigator Sean Clarke flies the X-57 simulator at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, examining ideal maneuvers and reaction times for flight.

NASA/Lauren Hughes