HALO - High Altitude Long Range Research Aircraft

Contact Persons

Klaus Itten

Keywords

Research Aircraft, Atmosphere, DLR, RUAG, RSL, Gulfstream

Abstract

HALO - The High Altitude and LOng Range Research Aircraft will be the new Research Aircraft for atmospheric research and earth observation of the German Science Community. HALO is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft and the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft.

The HALO - aircraft is based on a production G550 business jet from Gulfstream Aerospace Cooperation. A contract to Gulfstream was awarded in February 2005. Gulfstream will be responsible for the construction of the green aircraft. Modifications to transform the regular business jet into a research aircraft will be made by Gulfstream and the RUAG company in Oberpfaffenhofen. The aircraft will be operated by the Flight-Department of the DLR in Oberpfaffenhofen. Scientific operation with HALO will presumably start in July 2009. RSL were selected by the HALO Steering Committee to coordinate the Earth Observation Demonstration Mission