NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, in Edwards, California, was named in honor of the late Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, one of America's most prominent aeronautical engineers, on Mar. 26, 1976. At the time of his death in 1965, he was NASA's deputy administrator.

The Center is NASA's premier site for aeronautical research and operates some of the most advanced aircraft in the world.

Until 2004, Dryden operated the oldest B-52 Stratofortress bomber, a B-52B model which had been converted to drop test aircraft. It dropped a large number of supersonic test vehicles, ranging from the X-15 to Pegasus rocket boosters. It was also the last B-52B still flying, but had the fewest flight hours of any existing B-52 bomber. The aircraft was retired when the last X-43A test flight occurred, and was replaced by a newer B-52H model.

External links

• NASA Dryden Flight Research Center web site (http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov)

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