The aircraft, usually based at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Texas, is allegedly in Australia for planned hypersonic missile testing at the Woomera Test Range, according to media speculation.
The WB-57 and two other United States Missile Defense Agency Gulfstream G550 aircraft have allegedly become the focus of aviation enthusiasts since their arrival in Australia, according to Aviation Media Network.
“(NASA WB-57 high-altitude research program) aircraft have been flying research missions since the early 1970s and continue to be an asset to the scientific community with professional, reliable, customer-oriented service designed to meet all scientific objectives,” according to public details from NASA.
“The WB-57 is a mid-wing, long-range aircraft capable of operation for extended periods of time from sea level to altitudes in excess of 63,000 feet.
“Two crew members are positioned at separate tandem stations in the forward section of the fuselage. The pilot station contains all the essential equipment for flying the aircraft while the sensor equipment operator station contains both navigational equipment and controls for the operation of the payloads that are located throughout the aircraft. The WB-57 can fly for approximately 6.5 hours, has a range of approximately 2,500 miles, and can carry up to 8,800 lbs of payload.”
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