Overview
- NASA’s modified 777-200ER arrived at Langley after a check flight from Waco, Texas, where L3Harris finished structural work ahead of schedule.
- Contractors enlarged belly and window ports, added new power, data and communications systems, and drilled nearly 35,000 precision holes to mount instruments and viewports.
- NASA and HII are now installing research stations and extensive wiring to link onboard workstations with sensors such as lidar and infrared spectrometers.
- The jet’s first science campaign, NURTURE, is set for January 2027 to probe high‑impact winter weather across North America, Europe, Greenland and the Arctic.
- The twinjet can carry up to 100 operators and 75,000 pounds of gear for missions up to 18 hours at altitudes to 43,000 feet, replacing the DC‑8 and enabling larger, longer studies.