Martin Wb-57f

Twin Jet

The WB-57F is a heavily modified high-altitude research aircraft operated exclusively by NASA, descended from the Martin B-57 Canberra tactical bomber of the 1950s. What makes this type extraordinary is its extreme operating envelope: the WB-57F routinely cruises above 60,000 feet, higher than virtually any other crewed aircraft in regular service, making it invaluable for atmospheric sampling, astronomical observation, and sensor testing in near-space conditions. NASA's Johnson Space Center maintains the last flying examples, each extensively rebuilt in the 1960s with new wings spanning 122 feet and twin Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofans to achieve the altitude performance no standard bomber could match. The aircraft's pressurized cockpit accommodates a two-person crew, while the fuselage and wing pods carry up to 8,800 pounds of scientific instruments—everything from air samplers studying stratospheric chemistry to infrared telescopes observing celestial phenomena above most of Earth's atmosphere. The WB-57F has supported missions ranging from tracking the 2017 total solar eclipse at 50,000 feet to sampling volcanic ash plumes and validating satellite sensors. Its combination of extreme ceiling, long endurance (up to 6.5 hours at altitude), and large payload capacity remains unmatched by any other crewed research platform. While the airframes date to the Cold War era, continuous upgrades to avionics and mission systems keep these unique aircraft flying critical science missions that no satellite, balloon, or modern jet can replicate. SkyMeter has tracked 3 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION the sole observed operator.