LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — The University of Wyoming has received a $15.8 million National Science Foundation grant that will provide weather instrumentation and other equipment for a new research aircraft the university plans to purchase.

UW is the only academic institution in the United States that provides a research aircraft facility to the atmospheric science community.

The UW Board of Trustees is asking the State Loan and Investment Board for a loan for up to $4.7 million for the purchase of the aircraft.

The university's current King Air twin-engine turboprop is 42 years old.

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