WASHINGTON / CALIFORNIA : NASA has strengthened its high-speed flight research capabilities with the addition of two retired U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jets to its flight research fleet, a move that underscores the agency’s renewed push toward practical supersonic aviation.
According to a NASA press release, the aircraft have joined operations at Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where they will support a wide range of supersonic flight experiments under the agency’s Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities project. Central to that work is NASA’s ambitious effort to reduce the disruptive noise associated with breaking the sound barrier.
A New Role for a Proven Aircraft
Of the two aircraft transferred, one F-15 will be returned to active flight status as a dedicated NASA research platform. The second jet will serve as a source of parts to ensure long-term sustainment of the agency’s existing F-15 fleet, a practical decision aimed at reducing costs while maintaining mission readiness.
The aircraft are expected to play a critical support role for NASA’s quiet supersonic research program, particularly the Quesst mission, which seeks to demonstrate technologies that dramatically soften the sonic boom produced during supersonic flight.
“These two aircraft will enable successful data collection and chase plane capabilities for the X-59 through the life of the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator project,” said Troy Asher, director for flight operations at NASA Armstrong. He added that the aircraft will also allow NASA to resume and expand flight operations with external partners, including U.S. government agencies and commercial aviation companies.
Supporting the X-59 Mission
At the heart of the program is the X-59, an experimental aircraft designed to fly faster than sound while producing a gentle “thump” instead of a loud sonic boom. The F-15s will function as chase aircraft, collecting vital flight data, providing visual oversight, and ensuring flight safety during test missions.
NASA has already carried out specialized modifications on its F-15 fleet, allowing pilots to operate comfortably at altitudes of up to 60,000 feet. This closely matches the operating envelope of the X-59, which is expected to cruise at around 55,000 feet during its test flights.
“The priority is for them to successfully support the X-59 through completion of that mission,” Asher said, noting that the aircraft will later be available for future advanced aeronautics research and collaborative projects.
From Military Service to Research Duty
The two jets were transferred from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing, based at Kingsley Field. They arrived at NASA Armstrong on December 22, 2025, shortly after completing their final operational flights for the U.S. Air Force.
Their arrival continues a long relationship between NASA and the F-15 platform. The agency has operated variants of the aircraft since the early 1970s, flying dozens of experiments that have contributed to advances in aerodynamics, propulsion, flight controls, and high-speed aviation safety.
Why the F-15 Still Matters
Despite its age, the F-15 remains uniquely suited for flight research. Its powerful engines and robust airframe allow it to fly at high speeds and altitudes while carrying experimental hardware mounted under the wings or fuselage. The aircraft can also be extensively modified to host specialized instruments and sensors that would not fit on many modern aircraft.
For NASA, these qualities make the F-15 an ideal companion to cutting-edge experimental vehicles like the X-59, bridging the gap between proven aviation technology and the next generation of quieter, community-friendly supersonic travel.
As NASA moves closer to flight demonstrations that could influence future commercial supersonic regulations, the arrival of the two F-15s signals a practical and strategic investment in the aircraft needed to gather the data that could one day return supersonic passenger flight to the skies without the boom.
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