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Ikhana
DFRC Movie # Date Movie Description
EM-0094-05 August 16, 2007 NASA's Ikhana Flies a Thermal-Infrared Imaging Device During the Western States Fire Mission
EM-0094-04 June 23, 2007 Arrival of Ikhana Aircraft at Dryden Flight Research Center
EM-0094-03 June 23, 2007 Inflight Footage of Ikhana Aircraft at Dryden Flight Research Center
EM-0094-02 March 5, 2007 Preparations and Test Flight of NASA Earth Science and Technology Development UAV
EM-0094-01 March 5, 2007 Ikhana UAS Gives NASA New Science/Technology Research Capability

A Predator B unmanned aircraft system has joined the inventory of research aircraft at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. Built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. of San Diego, NASA took possession of the aircraft during the fall of 2006. The aircraft has been given the Choctaw Nation name "Ikhana" (pronounced ee-kah-nah), which means intelligent.

Designed for long-endurance, high-altitude flight, Ikhana will be flown primarily on Earth science missions under the Earth Science Capability Demonstrations project at NASA Dryden. It will also be used for advanced aircraft systems research and technology development.

As part of the Ikhana/Predator B acquisition, NASA also purchased a ground control station and satellite communication system for control of the aircraft and transmittal of research data. The ground control station is in a mobile trailer and, in addition to the pilot's "cockpit," includes computer workstations for scientists and engineers. All of the aircraft systems are mobile, making Ikhana ideal for remote studies.

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Last Modified: August 24, 2007
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