NASA adds two retired F-15s to Armstrong fleet for supersonic tests

Two retired U.S. Air Force F-15 jets have joined the flight research fleet at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, to support supersonic flight research for NASA’s Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities project, including testing for the Quesst mission’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft.

One aircraft will return to the air as an active NASA research jet and the second will be used for parts to support long-term fleet sustainment. The jets came from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field and arrived at NASA Armstrong Dec. 22, 2025, after completing their final flights with the Air Force.

Troy Asher, director for flight operations at NASA Armstrong, said, “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” and that “They will also enable us to resume operations with various external partners, including the Department of War and commercial aviation companies.” Asher noted NASA has been flying F-15s since the early 1970s and that the jets can operate in high-speed, high-altitude environments, carry experimental hardware externally, and be modified to support flight research.

Key Topics

Science, Quesst Mission, Nasa Armstrong, Kingsley Field, Nasa, Edwards California