Latest Datalink Assist In Scientific Research

NASA’s DC-8-72 jetliner, modified to support the agency’s Airborne Science mission, was recently equipped with Universal Avionics’ latest airborne datalink, UniLink UL-801 Communications Management Unit (CMU) and UNS-1Fw WAAS/SBAS-Flight Management Systems (FMS). The dual WAAS/SBAS-FMS and UniLink UL-800/801 installation provides an opportunity for NASA to take full advantage of the safety and efficiency benefits that precision navigation and advanced datalink offer to complete missions integral to advancing the scientific community.

“NASA’s DC-8 operates in some of the most remote areas of the world,” said Scott Campbell, Universal Avionics’ Director of Airline and Military Sales. “Having UniLink UL-801 on board will provide NASA crews the ability to fly FANS routes, uplink weather and communicate aircraft status to the home base,” he added. “Universal is excited to be part of this aircraft’s important mission.”

The NASA DC-8 aircraft is located at NASA’s Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, California. The DC-8 aircraft is used by NASA to collect data for experiments in support of projects serving the world’s scientific community. The aircraft’s three primary missions include sensor development, satellite sensor verification and basic research studies of the earth’s surface and atmosphere.

(Image provided by NASA)

FMI: www.uasc.com