NASA names Troy Asher Armstrong Flight Research Center director
1 min readNASA Administrator Jared Isaacman named Troy Asher director of the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, the agency said. Asher has served as acting director since March. He will oversee Armstrong’s workforce and operations.
According to the announcement, Armstrong is NASA’s Flight Test and Aircraft Operations Center of Excellence. The center leads NASA’s efforts to rebuild and expand its X-plane portfolio and advance flight research, aircraft operations and new aviation technologies. It also supports airborne science missions and flight research across NASA.
Isaacman said Asher’s career includes piloting experimental aircraft and leading flight research teams. He said Asher would help restore NASA’s flight-test capabilities and advance high-speed flight and experimental aircraft development.
Asher joined NASA in 2008 as a research test pilot and aerospace engineer. He conducted flight research aboard aircraft including the F-15, F/A-18, Gulfstream III and X-56A unmanned aircraft system. He served as lead test pilot for the development of NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy and flew scientific research missions aboard the agency’s DC-8 aircraft. He earned a bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from California State University, Fresno.
Before joining NASA, Asher completed a 24-year career in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a lieutenant colonel. His assignments included instruction at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, command of the 419th Flight Test Squadron and service as director of the Bomber Combined Test Force. In 2003, he set 25 world speed records flying the B-1B bomber.
Asher succeeds Bradley Flick, who retired in March following nearly 40 years of NASA service. Armstrong was established in 1946. NASA said the center has worked on flight research for eight decades and now supports quiet supersonic flight through the X-59 aircraft.
