World’s last flying L‑1011 readied for NASA Swift rescue mission

The world’s only remaining flying Lockheed L‑1011 TriStar is being prepared for a new role. NASA plans to use the aircraft as part of its Swift rescue mission.

The world’s only remaining flying Lockheed L‑1011 TriStar is being prepared for a new role. NASA plans to use the aircraft as part of its Swift rescue mission. The preparation marks the aircraft’s transition from commercial service to a rescue platform. Engineers are outfitting the L‑1011 with equipment required for the mission. The Swift mission aims to provide rapid response capabilities. Using the historic jet underscores NASA’s resourcefulness. Aviation enthusiasts view the deployment as a historic milestone. The mission is scheduled to launch later this year.