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Santa prepares to fly in front of an F-16 at Buckley Air Force Base. (Image credit: NORAD)

Santa Claus Aircraft

Santa Claus Aircraft

While many children around the world eagerly await Santa's arrival on Christmas morning, the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) is making the wait a little easier with its annual Santa Tracker.

Stonehouse Collection: Santa Claus One

NORAD is a joint organization of the United States and Canada responsible for monitoring objects in the air over North America and protecting the continent from potential air threats. Every Christmas, the organization uses its North Warning System radar system and early warning satellites to track Santa Claus and his reindeer as they bring joy to children celebrating Christmas around the world.

The moment Santa sets out on his sleigh pulled by his eight famous reindeer (plus Rudolph!), NORAD begins tracking his progress. This year, the NORAD Santa Tracker (opens in new tab) will begin tracking Santa on Saturday (December 24) at 6:00 am EST (09:00 GMT).

NORAD's Santa search tradition dates back to 1955, when the organization's predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), began providing updates on Saint John's journey. Nike.

According to the official NORAD Tracker website (opens in new tab), "While the tradition of tracking Santa began accidentally, NORAD continues to track Santa." "We're the only organization that has the technology, qualifications, and people to do it. And, we love it! NORAD is honored to be the official Santa Tracker!"

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Air Force Master Sergeant Brian Burgess, standing, and Maj. Bonnie Bosworth of the New York Air National Guard's 224th Air Defense Squadron train for Santa tracking operations Dec. 16 at NORAD's Eastern Air Defense Sector headquarters in Rome, New York (photo credit: USAF /Master Sgt. Kim Dagata )

Keen Santa seekers in the United States can also call NORAD and inquire about Kris Kringle's current whereabouts as he travels the world.

According to the tracker's official website, "The NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center has been fully operational since 4 a.m. MST on December 24." "You can call 1 877 HI-NORAD (1 877 446-6723) to speak directly with a NORAD staff member who can tell you Santa's exact location. Operators are available until midnight."

Santa Claus Aircraft

More than 1,250 NORAD members join the search for Santa each year, answering phone calls and emails about Santa's progress.

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Santa's NORAD tracker is powered by simulation software developed by AGI/Ansys (opens in new tab). Adam Gorski, an aerospace engineer with Ansys Government Initiatives, said the simulation software allows NORAD to provide the most accurate record of Santa Claus possible. "Ansys simulation software is used to ensure that NORAD can safely track Santa Claus as he travels the world," Gorski said. "Ansys simulations ensure that NORAD satellites can detect heat from Rudolph's nose, and radar can track Santa's sleigh across the sky. Our simulations are also used to help Santa's elves perform aerodynamic analyzes of their sleigh designs throughout the year."

The software also helps Santa on his way, Gorski added. "To ensure delivery in time for Christmas morning, Santa's sleigh travels at hypersonic speeds - Mach 7. Ansys simulation software helps Santa determine if more reindeer are needed to maintain balance and gain extra strength and efficiency."

Photo 2019 Norad tracks the Santa Operations Center at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2019. (Image credit: USAF/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)

The NORAD Tracker Santa website (opens in new tab) also includes specs and technical data for Santa's sleigh: its top speed is "faster than starlight" and its emissions remain classified — presumably for reindeer pride.

Santa Claus Archives

According to NORAD, Santa's craft measures 75 x 40 x 55 candy canes (150 x 80 x 110 lollipops) and weighs 75,000 candies at takeoff. For Santa, his take-off passenger weighs 260 pounds (118 kilograms), while his landing passenger weighs 1,260 pounds (571 kilograms). It all adds up to cookies and milk!

Join our forum to continue discussing the latest missions, the night sky, and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@.

Brett is a science and technology journalist interested in new concepts in flight and aviation, alternative launch concepts, anti-satellite technologies and unmanned systems. Brett's work has appeared on TheDrive.com, Popular Science, History Channel, Science Discovery and more on The War Zone. Brett holds degrees in English from Clemson University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In his spare time, Brett is a busy musician, electronics engineer and cosplayer, is a LEGO fan, and enjoys hiking and camping in the Appalachian Mountains with his wife and two children. Every year during the Christmas season, a sailor dressed as Santa Claus is tasked with directing the movements of the aircraft during flight operations on US Navy aircraft.

Santa Claus Aircraft

Taken on December 10, 2016, the images in this article show Santa giving the launch signal for a T-45C Goshawk from Training Air Wing Two (TRAWING) 2 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).

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In fact, this isn't the first time a catapult officer has dressed up as Santa Claus to assist with flight operations on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier: in fact, every year during the Christmas season, a sailor dressed as Santa Claus is assigned to the job. Along with directing aircraft movements during flight operations on US Navy flat-plane aircraft.

Dario Leon Dario Leon is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the founder and editor of "The Aviation Geek Club", one of the most widely read military aviation blogs in the world. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other media outlets. He reported from Europe and flew Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

Aircraft Carriers / Military Aviation / US Navy The US Navy recalls Adm. Santa Claus on active duty on December 25, 2019. Author: Dario Leon Aircraft Carriers / Military Aviation. French Navy Rafales, E-2C deployed to Hampton Roads this month March 31, 2018 By: Dario LeoneF-14 Tomcat/ Air Force / US PHOTO NavyRAWRA F-14A Tomcat February 17, 2017 By Leone:

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Arriving In Fashion: Santa Claus Arrives In Reno Aboard C 130 > Air National Guard > Article Display

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Santa Claus Aircraft

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Sometimes Santa Needs A Lift

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Santa Claus Aircraft

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