BAe 146 BAe 146-301 ARA

The British FAAM's atmospheric research flying laboratory, converted from the very first 146 built. Still in service.

Updated: August 5, 2026

Image pending

Units built

3,700 km

Range

History

The 146-301 ARA (Atmospheric Research Aircraft) probably has the most singular biography of any 146: it is the first airframe to fly, the 146-100 prototype registered G-SSSH, later stretched to serve as the 146-300 prototype as G-LUXE, and converted by BAE Systems between 2001 and 2004 into a flying laboratory. It works for the British FAAM Airborne Laboratory on atmospheric measurement campaigns in the United Kingdom and abroad, packed with scientific instrumentation. In 2025 it passed 10,000 flying hours and it is intended to keep operating until 2040.

Key data

Aircraft type	Atmospheric research aircraft
Length	31 m
Wingspan	26.3 m
Height	8.6 m
Wing area	77.3 m²
Empty weight	25,400 kg
MTOW	42,000 kg
Service ceiling	10,668 m
Initial climb rate	5 m/s
Range	3,700 km
Endurance	360 min
Powerplant	4 × Honeywell LF 507-1H
Thrust per engine	31.1 kN
Max weapons load	0 kg
Payload	11,000 kg
Crew	3

Powerplant

4 × Honeywell LF 507-1H turbofans of 31.1 kN each (7,000 lbf), the powerplant the type certificate approves on the Series 300.

Armament

None

Cargo capacity

The 146-300 prototype airframe (G-LUXE) converted by BAE Systems between 2001 and 2004: two pilots and one operator, 18 scientist stations and a maximum scientific payload of 11,000 kg, of which around 4,000 kg is typically flown.

Range conditions

Up to 3,700 km and 6 h airborne at minimum scientific payload with full tanks; at maximum scientific payload endurance falls to about 2 h. It can measure from 50 ft above the sea up to 35,000 ft.