EUFAR - The EUropean Facility for Airborne Research

Aircraft: WB-57F - NASA

Dimensions

Length: 20.8 m
Height: 6.22 m
Wingspan: 37.31 m

20.8 m 6.22 m 37.31 m

Flying performances

Speed


Min speed	62 m/s
Max speed	98 m/s
Usual speed during measurements	77 m/s
Usual speed during transit flights	85 m/s
Ascent rate	10 m/s

Altitude


Min altitude	Above sea: 2 000 ft Above ground: 2 000 ft
Max ceiling	65 000 ft
Usual ceiling during measurements	60 000 ft
Ceiling limitations	65 000 ft

Payload


Empty weight	18 144 kg
Max take-off weight	32 659 kg
Max payload	4 400 kg
Max scientific payload	4 400 kg (X-coordinate of 2nd point)
Usual scientific payload during measurements	680 kg
Scientific payload for max endurance	n/c

Endurance


Max endurance at min scientific payload and max fuel	6 h (Y-coordinate of 1st point)
Endurance at max scientific payload	6 h (Y-coordinate of 2nd point)

Range


Max range	4 630 km (at min scientific payload and max fuel)
Conditions for max range	at 55,000 feet, payload: 2268 kg
Range at max scientific payload	4 630 km
Usual range during measurement flight	4 075 km

Other


Weather conditions limitations	Max Crosswind for Takeoff: 10.3 m/s ; Max Crosswind for Landing: 7.7 m/s ; Cruise in moderate or less turbulence ; Avoid Icing
Take-off runway length	2 134 m
Engines	2 x Curtiss Wright J65
Avionics	Dual Electronic ADI and HSI, Dual ADDU, Dual IRU, GPS, FMS, TCAS/TAWS, Autopilot, TACAN, DME, ADF, VOR/ILS, HF/VHF/UHF, UHF SatCom, Iridium SatPhone, Flight Data Recorder, Satellite Data Links (see Acquisition Systems section)

Crew and scientists on board


Crew (pilots + operators)	2
Seats available for scientists	0

Cabin


Length	n/a m
Width	n/a m
Height	n/a m
Apertures	n/a
Cabin pressurized	yes
More information	The WB-57 can carry up to 4400 kg of payload (including the empty weights of the pallets, spearpods and superpods). Refer to the table below for maximum gross weight limits for the various payload integration locations. The aircraft is sensitive to Center of Gravity (CG) location, so ballast may need to be added (primarily in the nose), which subtracts from overall payload capacity. Payload Integration Location --- Payload (Maximum) --- Empty Weight 3-foot unpressurized Pallet ------------ 454 kg ----------------- ~75 kg 3-foot pressurized Pallet ---------------- 454 kg ---------- ~181 kg (estimated) 6-foot unpressurized Pallet ------------ 907 kg ----------------- ~112 kg 6-foot pressurized Pallet ---------------- 907 kg ----------------- ~318 kg (estimated) Nose Cone ------------------------ 433 kg ----------------- ~105 kg Aft Fuselage ------------ CG dependent, contact WB-57 Program Office Spearpod Forebody ------------------ 168 kg ------------------- ~41 kg Superpod ------------ Pylon and Forebody: 644 kg - Pylon: ~230 kg -------------------------------------------- Forebody: 181 kg ----- Forebody: ~64 kg Winghatch --------------------------- 29 kg ------------------ ~2.5 kg

Aircraft modifications


Nose boom	Not program provided but can accommodate customer specific hardware installations
Windows	Not program provided but can accommodate customer specific hardware installations
Openings	Not program provided but can accommodate customer specific hardware installations
Hard points	Contact program for specifics
Inlets	Not program provided but can accommodate customer specific hardware installations
Additionnal systems	Day Night Airborne Motion Imagery for Terrestrial Environments (DyNAMITE)

Acquisition systems

Available interface to Air Data, IRU, and GPS ARINC 429 and RS232 data streams, Ethernet interface to onboard computer network, Ku or INMARSAT communication system for real time downlink to ground stations

Electrical power


Aircraft total electrical power (kW)	n/c
Electrical power (kW) and voltages (V) available for scientists	28VDC - 7kW ; 115VAC 400Hz 3phase - 11kW per phase ; 115VAC 60Hz 1phase - 4 kW

Aircraft acronym	WB-57F - NASA	Registration number	N926NA N927NA N928NA
Operator	National Aeronautics and Space Administration	Transnational Access status	Closed to TA
Manufacturer	Glenn L. Martin Company, Martin WB-57F	Engine category	Jet
Aircraft type	Research	Categories	Land/Sea surface properties, Stratospheric , Troposphere