ARIA Aircraft 60-0375
AGAR 28
From ARIA to ARGUS - 40 Years Service
Aircraft 60-0375 was the only Air Force C-135E capable of flying extended missions up to 50,000 feet.
A unique flying research laboratory disappeared from Kirtland, New Mexico on April 18, 2001. The C-135E aircraft, known as Argus and sporting its distinctive Tasmanian devil nose decor, was flown to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AZ), where it will be stored to await its final disposition. It flew its last data-gathering mission last summer, conducting atmospheric tests for the airborne laser program. The Argus flight test program was a unique opportunity for the Air Force Research Laboratory, allowing its highly skilled scientists and engineers to take technological developments from the laboratory and test them in the field, according to Capt. Craig Phillips, Argus mission operations chief. This flying research laboratory not only supported the Department of Defense but also the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Energy and the airborne laser system program office.
Time-line
1960 - Constructed C-135A-BN. Construction Number 18150.
1966 -
Conversion to EC-135N with electrical and structural modifications at Douglas Aircraft, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Date Unknown-
Arrived Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.
January 1, 1968 -
Aircraft Online and Operational.
Apollo Moon Rock Express I & II
December 1975 -
Transferred to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 4950th Test Wing.
December 31, 1989 - Converted to C-135N.
June 30, 1982 - Converted to C-135E.
November 1, 1992 - Last inventory record WPAFB.
Date Unknown - ARGUS Program.
April 18, 2001 - Left Kirkland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
April 18, 2001 - AMARC as CA0129.
January 15, 2008 - AMARC Inventory.
Specifications ARIA C-135E
Span: |
103.8 Feet |
Length: |
141.5 Feet |
Height: |
41.7 Feet |
Weight: |
300,500 Pounds Maximum Takeoff Gross Weight |
Engines: |
Four Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102 Turbofans (JT3D) 18,000 Pounds Thrust Each |
Crew: |
11 |
Cruise: |
490 Knots Maximum Speed |
Cruise: |
430 Knots Normal Speed |
Altitude: |
33,000 Feet |
Range: |
4500 Nautical Miles |
