The PC-12, acquired by NASA Glenn in 2022 for advanced technology development, will now be based at Armstrong. According to NASA, the aircraft will continue to support research at Glenn while also helping expand flight research capability by supporting other agency efforts. Over four years of service at Glenn, the PC-12 has proven a valuable research asset, with contributions such as supporting a communications relay experiment with the International Space Station.
In that experiment, the PC-12 sent a 4K video stream relayed through a ground network and a satellite to the International Space Station, which was able to send information back using a portable laser terminal; the system helped effectively penetrate cloud coverage. The PC-12 was also used to study surveillance systems that could help handle the air traffic demands of future air taxis flying in cities. The exact timeline for when the PC-12 will begin operations from its new base at NASA Armstrong has not been specified, and it is unclear what specific flight research projects it will support there beyond the mentioned technology development research.
In a related move, a NASA T-34 aircraft from Glenn arrived at Armstrong in February to be evaluated for use. According to NASA, the T-34 can allow NASA pilots to either conduct flight research or train to fly the PC-12 when that larger aircraft is undergoing maintenance or modifications. The T-34's design allows for future pod-mounted flight research efforts.
The T-34 from Glenn joins another already housed at NASA Armstrong, part of a fleet that has recently grown with new assets, including two F-15s. These help Armstrong remain NASA's home base for breakthrough flight research and test projects. Details on the evaluation process for the T-34 aircraft at NASA Armstrong and when it might be fully operational for research or training have not been disclosed.