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NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, received an "H" model B-52 Stratofortress aircraft on July 30, 2001. The B-52H will be used as an air-launch aircraft supporting NASA's flight research and advanced technology demonstration efforts.
Dryden received the B-52H from the U.S. Air Force's (USAF) 23rd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bombardment Wing (Air Combat Command), located at Minot AFB, N.D. A USAF crew flew the aircraft to Dryden.

The aircraft, USAF tail number 61-0025, will be loaned initially, then later transferred from the USAF to NASA.

The B-52H is scheduled to leave Dryden Aug. 2 for de-militarization and Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma. The depot-level maintenance is scheduled to last about six months and includes a thorough maintenance and inspection process.

Although the modifications were made, changes in NASA's aeronautical research goals left the B-52H with no near-term projects.