DFRC Photo #	Photo Date	Image Description
		F-18 Systems Research Aircraft (SRA) Photo Collection Contact Sheet
ED08-0267-12	October 15, 2008	NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's F-18B Systems Research Aircraft on an External Vision System project flight.
ED08-0267-11	October 15, 2008	NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's F-18B Systems Research Aircraft on an External Vision System project flight.
ED08-0267-07	October 15, 2008	NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's F-18B Systems Research Aircraft on an External Vision System project flight.
ED08-0267-06	October 15, 2008	NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's F-18B Systems Research Aircraft on an External Vision System project flight.
ED08-0252-28	Sept 30, 2008	NASA research pilot Jim Smolka prepares to take off in NASA's F-18 Systems Research Aircraft for an External Vision System project flight.
ED08-0252-26	Sept. 30, 2008	Gulfstream project pilot Tom Horne readies to fly an External Vision System project flight from the backseat of NASA's F-18 Systems Research Aircraft.
ED08-0252-14	Sept. 30, 2008	NASA is partnering with Gulfstream on the External Vision System project to demonstrate the use of an HD video system on the F-18B Systems Research Aircraft.
ED08-0252-10	Sept. 30, 2008	An HD camera is mounted behind the head-up display of NASA's F-18 SRA aircraft. NASA is partnering with Gulfstream on the External Vision System project.
ED08-0252-06	Sept. 30, 2008	An HD display is mounted on top of the rear instrument panel in NASA's F-18 SRA, as NASA is partnering with Gulfstream on the External Vision System project.
EC98-44728-9	Sept. 1998	F-18B Systems Research Aircraft (SRA) in banked flight over southern California desert
EC98-44672-1	July 1998	F-18B Systems Research Aircraft (SRA) in banked flight over southern California desert
EC98-44672-2	July 1998	F-18B Systems Research Aircraft (SRA) in flight over rocket test site at Edwards AFB
EC98-44672-3	July 1998	F-18B Systems Research Aircraft (SRA) touches down on main runway at Edwards AFB
EC97-44272-6	October 3, 1997	F-18 Systems Research Aircraft (SRA) in flight
EC97-44272-8	October 3, 1997	F-18 Systems Research Aircraft (SRA) in flight
EC95-42988-5	February 1995	F-18 SRA in flight
EC95-42988-1	February 1995	F-18 SRA in flight from below
EC97-43936-4	July 1997	F-18 SRA closeup of nose cap showing Advanced L-Probe Air Data Integration experiment
EC97-43936-5	April 1997	F-18 SRA closeup of nose cap showing L-Probe experiment and standard air data sensors
EC97-43936-6	March 1997	F-18 SRA closeup of nose cap showing new flush air data system sensor holes
EC97-43936-9	March 1997	F-18 SRA closeup of nose cap showing new flush air data system sensor holes
EC93-41094-4	May 18, 1993	F-18 SRA in flight
EC93-42065-5	July 12, 1993	F-18 SRA in banked flight over lakebed
EC93-42065-6	July 12, 1993	F-18 SRA in flight over lakebed
EC93-42116-2	August 6, 1993	F-18 SRA taxi at dawn
EC91-436-8	August 16, 1991	F-18 #845 SRA in flight
EC96-43623-1	May 1996	F-18 SRA during flight
EC96-43623-2	May 1996	F-18 SRA landing
EC96-43623-3	May 1996	F-18 SRA landing
EC96-43623-4	May 1996	F-18 SRA during flight from below
EC96-43623-5	May 1996	F-18 SRA during flight
Smart Skin Antenna - DFRC Press Resease 97-09
EC97-43950-1	February 25, 1997	F-18 SRA with Smart Skin Antenna replacing right tail fin end cap
EC97-43950-2	February 25, 1997	F-18 SRA with Smart Skin Antenna replacing right tail fin end cap
EC97-43950-3	February 25, 1997	F-18 SRA with Smart Skin Antenna replacing right tail fin end cap
EC97-43950-4	February 25, 1997	F-18 SRA with Smart Skin Antenna replacing right tail fin end cap
EC97-43950-5	February 25, 1997	F-18 SRA with Smart Skin Antenna replacing right tail fin end cap
EC97-43958-1	March 5, 1997	F-18 SRA in flight with Smart Skin Antenna replacing right tail fin end cap
EC93-42061-4	1993	F-15B and F-18 SRA in flight
EC93-3171-1	1993	F-18 simulation with Simulation Group Lead Martha Evans at the controls

Additional Information

Among the more than 20 experiments being flight-tested were several involving fiber optic sensor systems. Experiments developed by McDonnell-Douglas and Lockheed-Martin centered on installation and maintenace techniques for various types of fiber-optic hardware proposed for use in military and commercial aircraft, while a Parker-Hannifin experiment focused in alternative fiber-optic designs for position measurement sensors as well as operational experience in handling optical sensor systems.

Another one of the experiments being tested aboard the SRA F-18 is an advanced air data sensing system which uses a group of pressure taps flush-mounted on the forward fuselage to measure both altitude and wind speed and direction -- critical data for flight control and research investigations. The Real-Time Flush Air Data Sensing system concept is being evaluated for possible use on the X-33 and X-34 resuable space-launch vehicles.

Other experiments being flown on this testbed aircraft include electronically-controlled control surface actuators, "smart" skin antennae and laser-based systems.

The primary goal of the SRA program is to validate through flight research cutting-edge technologies which could benefit future aircraft and spacecraft by improving effeciency and performance, reducing weight and complexity, with a resultant reduction on development and operational costs.

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