The FAAM large atmospheric research aircraft: a brief history and future upgrades

The UK’s large atmospheric research aircraft is a converted BAe 146 operated by the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM). With a range of 2000 nautical miles, the FAAM aircraft is capable of operating all over the world and it has taken part in science campaigns in over 30 different countries since 2004. The aircraft can fly as low as 50 feet over the sea and sustain flight at 100 feet high. The service ceiling is nearly 11 km high. Typically, flights will last anywhere between one and six hours, and we will carry up to 18 scientists onboard, who guide the mission and support the operation of up to 4 tonnes of scientific equipment. Currently, the aircraft is undergoing a £49 million mid-life upgrade (MLU) program, which will extend its lifetime to at least 2040. The three overarching objectives of the MLU are to:

Safeguard the UK’s research capability – allowing the facility to meet the needs of the research community, enhance the range of services available, and respond to environmental emergencies.

Provide frontier science capability – meeting new and existing research needs and supporting ground-breaking science discoveries, with a flexible and world-class airborne laboratory.

Reduce environmental impact – maintaining and improving the performance of the facility, and minimising emissions and resource use from aircraft operation.

Presented here will be a brief history of the aircraft operations, including example science outcomes from all flights all over the world. In addition, detail of the ongoing upgrades, in particular the new and cutting-edge measurement capability for gases, aerosols, clouds, radiation and meteorology. Also presented will be the expected reductions in environmental impact of the aircraft and how these will be monitored.