{"id":479085,"date":"2026-07-16T07:56:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T21:56:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=1017971"},"modified":"2026-07-16T07:56:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T21:56:38","slug":"nasa-uses-subscale-aircraft-to-accelerate-flight-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=479085","title":{"rendered":"NASA Uses Subscale Aircraft to Accelerate Flight Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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4 Min Read<\/div>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA Uses Subscale Aircraft to Accelerate Flight Innovation\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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An atmospheric probe model attached upside down to a quad rotor remotely piloted aircraft ascends with the Moon visible on Oct. 22, 2024. The quad rotor aircraft released the probe above Rogers Dry Lake, a flight area adjacent NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The probe was designed and built at the center.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\/Steve Freeman<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Testing new aerospace concepts in flight remains one of NASA\u2019s most effective ways to advance knowledge and reduce risk.<\/p>\n

The Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Laboratory at NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, supports this mission by using small, remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft as cost\u2011effective platforms to mature innovative ideas, accelerate learning, and enable smoother transitions to full\u2011scale flight.<\/p>\n

When experiments require a flight platform, several NASA remotely piloted aircraft are available: the Alta\u2011X quadrotor; the Dryden Remotely Operated Integrated Drone (DROID) with its 10\u2011foot wingspan; and the Multi\u2011Use Cub, a 14\u2011foot\u2011span fixed\u2011wing aircraft with an expandable payload capacity for flight experiments. For electric vertical takeoff and landing testing, the HQ\u201190 quadrotor provides an additional option.<\/p>\n

Once aircraft and experiments are cleared for operations, laboratory pilots support the mission, including ground operations and flight activities.<\/p>\n

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Justin Link, left, holds the subscale aircraft in place, while Justin Hall manages engine speed during preliminary engine tests on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at NASA\u2019s Armstong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Link is a pilot for small uncrewed aircraft systems at the center\u2019s Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Laboratory and\u00a0Hall is the chief pilot.<\/div>\n
NASA\/Christopher LC Clark<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Flight expertise<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Each staff member serves as an experienced and certified subscale aircraft pilot and is prepared to fly unique one-of-a-kind or modified commercial aircraft wherever the mission requires.<\/p>\n

NASA\u2019s FireSense<\/a> project conducted flights in the Geneva State Forest, located about 100 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama. NASA Armstrong flight research staff integrated the instrument onto an Alta-X drone and tested the system before deployment. Two team members then transported the drone and sensor to the forest, prepared the vehicle for flight, and operated it during the mission. The NASA sensor was flown on the drone to demonstrate how remotely piloted aircraft can gather localized weather data that influences smoke movement and fire behavior. This information may help operational agencies improve wildfire decision-making and better allocate firefighters and resources.<\/p>\n

Other missions occur closer to NASA Armstrong, such as the Enhancing Parachutes by Instrumenting the Canopy (EPIC<\/a>) project. EPIC involved air\u2011launching a capsule containing a parachute and flexible sensor from the Alta\u2011X. Laboratory staff piloted the flights, supported flight operations, and worked with the EPIC team to design and integrate the parachute\u2011drop mechanism and safety system into the aircraft.<\/p>\n

These tests demonstrated that a flexible sensor could help researchers study supersonic parachutes. Continuation of this work can help fill gaps in computer models, making supersonic parachutes safer and more reliable for delivering science instruments and payloads to Mars.<\/p>\n

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Justin Link, left, pilot for small uncrewed aircraft systems, and Justin Hall, chief pilot for small uncrewed aircraft systems, install weather instruments on NASA\u2019s Alta X drone at the agency\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Members of the center\u2019s Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Laboratory used the Alta X to support the agency\u2019s FireSense project in March 2025 for a prescribed burn in Geneva State Forest, which is about 100 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama.<\/div>\n
NASA\/Steve Freeman<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Advancing challenging research<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Laboratory uses rapid design and testing capabilities to help small aircraft fly big ideas. These concepts could lead to future breakthroughs that support NASA\u2019s missions across aeronautics, science, and exploration.<\/p>\n

For decades, NASA and its partners have advanced Automatic Collision Avoidance Technology<\/a>. The research demonstrated an autopilot could detect and recover from an imminent ground collision \u2013 a capability now helping save lives in high\u2011performance U.S. military jets. NASA Armstrong had key roles in that work and developed a simplified version, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System<\/a>, which was installed on the DROID for testing.<\/p>\n

The system demonstrated on the DROID \u2014 developed to assist general aviation pilots as well as remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft \u2014 performed well and led to further research toward a version that provides alerts and steering cues. The NASA Armstrong Technology Transfer Office is working to license the technology for U.S. businesses to develop the system as a commercial product.<\/p>\n

The Prandtl\u2011D<\/a> (Preliminary Research Aerodynamic Design to Lower Drag) flying\u2011wing glider was also designed, fabricated, and flown at NASA Armstrong. Researchers found that its twisted wing design could reduce drag and generate thrust at the wingtips, advancing concepts that may support greater fuel economy for future aircraft. The original Prandtl\u2011D is now part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum collection in Washington, and the Prandtl-D3 is at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Researchers continue developing the next generation of the design in the laboratory.<\/p>\n

A wide range of capabilities in the laboratory help transform promising concepts into flight-ready test structures. These include rapid prototyping using traditional and advanced 3D manufacturing techniques, as well as composite and conventional fabrication processes. The team of engineers and technicians also provides custom component design and specialized fabrication to meet unique research needs. <\/p>\n

The laboratory supports electrical and mechanical design, hardware and software integration, and the safety and flight-readiness processes required for successful missions. Additional technical facilities, such as the Experimental Fabrication Branch<\/a> and the Environmental Laboratory at NASA Armstrong, further enhance these capabilities. Together, they support development, testing, and validation activities that advance NASA\u2019s aeronautics and exploration goals.<\/p>\n

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\"Deborah<\/a><\/figure>
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Deborah Jackson, Al Bowers and Abbigail Waddell successfully launch the subscale Prandtl-D 3C glider.<\/div>\n
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