Aeronautics Committee Report to the NASA Advisory CouncilGen. Lester Lyles (Chairman)Dr. John SullivanDr. Gene CovertDr. Ilan KrooDr. Ray Colladay (ex-officio)

July 10, 2008

Areas of Interest Explored at Current MeetingJay Dryer, NASA Senior Technical Advisor, ARMDCore Competencies and their Importance in Fulfilling NASAs/ARMDs Mission

Dr. Ajay Misra, NASA Deputy Program Director, Fundamental Aeronautics Program (FAP), ARMDNASAs/FAPs green aircraft initiative

Akbar Sultan, NASA Technical Integration Manager, Airspace Systems Program (ASP), ARMDResearch Transition Teams (RTTs) for NextGen

Dr. John Cavolowsky, Deputy Program Director, Airspace Systems Program (ASP), ARMDARMD Cross-Program NRA; Integration of Advanced Concepts and Vehicles into the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)

Discussion with OAI President, Dr. Mike Heil

Focus for an Upcoming Administration Changeover/Transition

ARMD is behind the target but ahead of its phasing plans for FY08 (not a linear plan)ARMD ahead of last years performance and Programs have contingency plans in placeAeronautics Committee will track continuously with ARMD

Review of ARMD Obligation/Costing Status

ARMD Competency Discussion

Jay Dryer, NASA Senior Technical Advisor, ARMD

July 9, 2008

Core Competencies Key QuestionsHow do we define core competencies?What core competencies must NASA maintain in-house?What needs to be done to better track and manage competencies across ARMD and the Agency?

Critical Skills ShortagesThe following are areas where ARMD has experienced noticeable shortages of skilled personnel. Guidance, Navigation and Controls Multi-disciplinary Design, Analysis and Optimization Aero-Servo-Elasticity Acoustics Airframe/Propulsion Integration Systems Analysis Human FactorsWind Tunnel Management and Operations

Current Management PracticesAcquire needed skills from the external community (e.g. through the NRA). Focus skills in one project to maintain a critical mass and coordinate results with other related projects (e.g. aeroelasticity and turbulence modeling)Re-training Hiring (even small numbers can make a difference)Coordinate with other agencies (Force Balance skill)

Fundamental Aeronautics ProgramDiscussion on Green Aircraft InitiativesDr. Ajay MisraPresentation to NACCleveland, OHJuly 9, 2008

Response from ARMDRequested from NASA ARMDSpecific candidates for systems-level research projectsThese are projects with discrete start and end dates should be considered in addition to and as an augmentation of the existing funded effortFirst major potential projectsGreen Aircraft Initiative

System Level Research Project

Chevron Hierarchy Example Chart

Candidate System Level Research ProjectsLaminar flow controlLarge geared turbofanMulti-objective wing with advanced features such as adaptive structures, active flow control Lightweight structures for BWBSonic Boom Flight Test Aircraft

NASA and FAANextGen Research Transition TeamsAkbar SultanTechnical Integration ManagerAirspace Systems Program OfficeNASA

July 9, 2008

Technology Transfer StrategyGoal: Ensure that R&D needed for NextGen implementation is identified, conducted, and effectively transitioned to the implementing agency Objectives:Provide a structured forum for researchers and implementers to constructively work together on a continual basis Ensure that planned research results can be fully utilized and will be sufficient to enable implementation of NextGen Operational Improvements

R&D Progression

Initial RTT Focus AreasTrajectory Based Operations: Joint collaboration with industry partners for near-term efficient and reduced environmental impact of arrival operations under constrained airspace conditions.

Surface Management: Develop system level concept to accelerate NextGen arrival/departure and surface operations for the mid-term.

Multi-Sector Planner: Engage System-Operations to determine roles and responsibilities for efficient flow of traffic for the mid-term.

Dynamic Airspace Configuration: Develop far-term concept for efficient partitioning of airspace and allocation of resources to meet NextGen capacity needs.

ARMD Cross-Program NRA

Integration of Advanced Concepts and Vehicles into the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)

Briefing to NAC Aeronautics Committee

John A. CavolowskyDeputy Program DirectorAirspace Systems ProgramJuly 9, 2008

NRA Proposal Solicitation

Solicitation Background

ARMD solicited proposals in areas of research that are cross-program in scope. The Aeronautics enterprise is one of highly leveraged and integrated technologies. Cross-discipline systems level problems will be of high value to establishing an R&D portfolio with the broadest national value.

Understand how advanced vehicles will operate within NextGenUnderstand the tradeoffs involved for both vehicles and the air traffic management (ATM) system, including safety considerations, system performance, environmental constraints, and other relevant issuesIndicate the most productive areas for future ATM, vehicle, and safety research

Integration of Advanced Vehicles and Concepts into NextGenAwarded two NRAs focused on understanding tradeoffs involved for both vehicles and the ATM system, including safety considerations, system performance, environmental constraintsIntegration of Advanced Concepts and Vehicles into NextGen StudyTeam A (PI: Ed Stevens)$6M for 18 Months (Obligated $4.8M, June 13)Advanced Vehicle Concepts and Implications for NextGenTeam B (PI: Fred Weiland)$6M for 18 months (Obligated $5.0M, June 10)Joint Kick-Off at NASA Headquarters, July 24Awardees will describe their approachesNASA will describe vehicle models that can be provided to the contractorsWorkshop(s) will inform community of initial progress about 3 months after award

SummaryStrong proposals with NASA relevance and responsive to NRADiverse, integrated, world-class teamIntegrated systems focusDissemination of results to NASA and NextGen stakeholders in a non-proprietary manner including integrated software and databases Strong management approachEffective engagement with the aviation communityFunding both proposals offers the opportunity for programmatic risk reduction, a larger vehicle and concept trade space, a wider range of analytical tools delivered, and framework validation with a comprehensive, integrated systems approach.

Dr. Mike Heil, PresidentOhio Aerospace InstituteDiscussion with OAI

The NASA Aeronautics program, while currently conducting high quality research, is insufficient in scope to achieve the U.S. leadership objectives implicit in the Presidents Aeronautical R&D Policy.NASA should maintain a robust foundational research program and ARMD should plan, develop and implement system level research projects of highest prioritySome ARMD research and development is also critical to the needs of the agencys Science and Exploration mission

Focus for an Upcoming Administration Changeover/Transition

Request a presentation on the NSTC Aeronautics S&T Subcommittee draft appendix to the National Aeronautics R&D Plan (i.e. gap analysis)Dialogue with center ARMD POC and younger workforce during future meetings at the ARMD research centers

Committee Next Steps

Dollars should be presented in addition to percentagesIt is not always clear if these skills are at healthy levels, but in heavy use with other MDs.

Time sequenced