The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operates several ER-2s as high-altitude, atmospheric-sensing platforms. They collect in-situ and remotely-sensed data on atmospheric chemistry, radiation, and dynamics as well as surface and oceanic information. As a result, these aircraft are frequently used for calibration and validation of satellite data. The ER-2 has also been used for natural disaster assessments and aerial photography.
The NASA High Altitude Aircraft Program was started in 1971 using two Lockheed U-2C aircraft, then designated as the ER-2. They were used by NASA throughout the 70's and into the 80's primarily for multispectral photography. In 1981, NASA acquired the U2-R (or TR-1) which was both longer and possessed a wider wingspan than the U2-C although the designation remained ER-2. The ER-2 specifications are given in Table 3.1. The first campaign flown by the ER-2 in more or less its current configuration was in support of the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Expedition (AAOE) in 1987 to probe the newly-discovered Antarctic ozone hole. It carried a wide variety of scientific instrumentation which sampled temperature, pressure, winds, aerosols, and wide variety of trace gases. The ER-2 was later employed for the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) I during in 1989 and AASE II in 1991 to study the Arctic stratosphere.
| Crew: | One Pilot |
| Length: | 18.9 m |
| Wingspan: |
| Crew: | One Pilot |
| Length: | 18.9 m |
| Wingspan: |
[t]
| Crew: | One Pilot |
| Length: | 18.9 m |
| Wingspan: |
| Crew: | One Pilot |
| Length: | 18.9 m |
| Wingspan: |