Before conversion to NASA’s ‘LL’ configuration. NASA photo, 1995.
17MAR1996 rollout of Tu-144LL at Zhukovsky Air Development Center near Moscow, Russia. A joint project between Russian Aeronautics Establishment, NASA, Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas, Rockwell, and others.
NASA photo, 17MAR1996.
LL stands for Letayuschaya Laboratoriya, which means Flying Laboratory. The intent was to develop a practical SST (Super Sonic Transport) for the 21st Century, to be built in the United States. The NASA led program was paid for by U.S. taxpayers and corporations. It was hoped that a market for SST aircraft would reveal itself in the 2020s.
NASA photo, July 1997, Zhukovsky Air Development Center near Moscow, Russia.
NASA photo, July 1997, Zhukovsky Air Development Center near Moscow, Russia.
Zhukovsky Air Development Center near Moscow, Russia. NASA photo by Jim Ross, September 1998.
Test flights began in June 1996 and ended in April 1999.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, September 1998.
Tu-144LL had Kuznetsov NK-321 turbofan engines (same as those used on the Tu-160 strategic bombers) rated at more than 55,000 pounds of thrust in full afterburner.
NASA photo, 1996.
NASA photo, 1996.
NASA’s computer room for data collection from Tu-144LL. The effects of flight on the real Tu-144LL was compared to data collected from models used in wind tunnels.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, September 1998.
This photo was taken in 1998, note that some of the names of the sponsoring companies have been removed from the fuselage.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, September 1998.
In 1998 two NASA pilots conducted three flights to test handling of the SST at subsonic and supersonic speeds.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, September 1998.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, September 1998.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, September 1998.
NASA photo by Jim Ross, September 1998.
A 2014 NASA statement, updated in 2017, simply says the data collected will be used to build a future SST that can meet specific goals; strict noise and air-pollution standards, carry 300 passengers at least 5,000 miles at a cost per passenger of no more than 20% above subsonic airliners flying the same routes. However, a 2009 NASA report, also updated in 2017, states that “…an economically viable SST could not be envisioned near enough to further justify U.S. industry commitment.”
As far as what happened to the Tu-144LL, it was last seen rotting away at the Zhukovsky International Airport.
VEHICLE I-D: NASA CANBERRAS, B-57B ‘HUSH KIT’ & WB-57F RIVET CHIP/SLICE
BARE METAL: NASA’S MD-11 EXPERIMENTAL
IDAHO, KANSAS, UTAH HOME BASES FOR NASA’S DC-8 FIREX-AQ!
NASA ‘CLIMATE SPY PLANE’ PROVES CALIFORNIA’S STRICT ANTI-POLLUTION LAWS ARE A JOKE!
SUPER GUPPY BE OLD, BUT NASA STILL USES IT!
VEHICLE I-D: ‘NEW’ F-16 VISTA
VEHICLE I-D: F-8 DFBW, OR ANOTHER REASON WHY TODAY’S TECHIE GENERATION OWES THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX!
However a reduced scale model of the Full Scale Wind Tunnel was also built: “The excellent energy ratio obtained in the new wind tunnel of the California Institute of Technology suggests that before proceeding with our full scale tunnel design, we ought to investigate the effect on energy ratio of such factors as: 1. Small included angle for the exit cone; 2. Carefully designed return passages of circular section as far as possible, without sudden changes in cross sections; 3. Tightness of walls. It is believed that much useful information can be obtained by building a model of about 1/16 scale, that is, having a closed throat of 2 ft. by 4 ft. The outside dimensions would be about 12 ft. by 25 ft. in plan and the height 4 ft. Two propellers will be required about 28 in. in diameter, each to be driven by direct current motor at a maximum speed of 4500 R.P.M. Provision can be made for altering the length of certain portions, particularly the exit cone, and possibly for the application of boundary layer control in order to effect satisfactory air flow. This model can be constructed in a comparatively short time, using 2 by 4 framing with matched sheathing inside, and where circular sections are desired they can be obtained by nailing sheet metal to wooden ribs, which can be cut on the band saw. It is estimated that three months will be required for the construction and testing of such a model and that the cost will be approximately three thousand dollars, one thousand dollars of which will be for the motors. No suitable location appears to exist in any of our present buildings, and it may be necessary to build it outside and cover it with a roof.”-Elton W. Miller, 26JUN1929
MX-334 flying wing glider, 1943.
Bell XP-77 1:1 scale model, 1943.
Mercury space capsule, January 1959.
Testing the proposed parawing landing system for space capsules.
Testing one of the proposed Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) models.
In 1999, NASA (National Aeronautics Space Administration) decided to test a 1:1 scale model of the Wright Flyer, for aerodynamic data. However, the full-scale Wright Flyer was built stronger than the original for fear it wouldn’t hold up in the wind tunnel (it was tested at only 30mph/48kmh).
The little covered rails on the driver’s right side of the turret are the mounts for the anti-tank missiles.
Ukrainian made BTR-4, reports say Iraq was not happy with the BTR-4, 
BTR-4 variants, the BSEM-4K ambulance and BTR-4 armored personnel carriers with 30mm gun turrets.
In 2008, U.S. Army officials decided to allow Iraq to refurbish several M109A1s abandoned in the ‘boneyard’ of Camp Taji: “Last fall, our brigade commander was given guidance by the 9th IA commander to pull out of the Taji boneyard roughly a battalion’s worth of M109A1 howitzers.”-Major Matthew DeLoia, Military Transition Team-Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Field Artillery Regiment, July 2009
BAT-2
BTR-3DA
