FAA REDAC Briefing 

Dr. Edgar G Waggoner, Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

October 20, 2021
Contents

Strategy, Organization and Vision

FY 2022 President’s Budget Request

Focus Topics

- Sustainable Flight National Partnership

- Low Boom Flight Demonstration Mission

- Advanced Air Mobility Mission

- Hypersonic Technology

- Energizing the U.S. Aeronautics Innovation 

Pipeline

- Aerosciences Evaluation and Test 

Capabilities

Summary

www.nasa.gov | 2
www.nasa.gov | 3

Strategy, Organization 

and Vision
NASA Aeronautics – Vision for Aviation in the 21st Century

U.S. leadership for a new era of flight

ARMD continues 

to evolve and 

execute the 

Aeronautics Strategy

https://www.nasa.gov/

aeroresearch/strategy

www.nasa.gov | 4
www.nasa.gov | 5

ARMD 

PROGRAMS 

Aerosciences Evaluation and Test 

Capabilities Portfolio

Advanced Air Vehicles 

Program

Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program

Transformative Aeronautics 

Concepts Program

Airspace Operations and Safety 

Program
Four Transformations for Sustainability, Greater Mobility, and Economic Growth
www.nasa.gov | 7

FY 2022 President’s

Budget Request
Aeronautics FY 2022 Budget Request

www.nasa.gov | 8

$ Millions FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026

Aeronautics $828.7 $914.8 $933.7 $954.1 $975.2 $996.8 

Airspace Operations and Safety 92.0 104.5 106.3 108.1 108.1 108.1 

Advanced Air Vehicles 211.4 243.7 254.6 270.9 288.5 269.5 

Integrated Aviation Systems 278.7 301.5 305.5 310.7 309.2 349.9 

Transformative Aeronautics Concepts 129.7 148.0 150.3 147.4 152.4 152.4 

Aerosciences Evaluation and Test 

Capabilities 116.9 117.0 117.0 117.0 117.0 117.0 
FY 2022 Budget Request - Changes

• Increased funding to accelerate and expand key components of the newly initiated Sustainable 

Flight National Partnership. By accelerating and expanding these activities, NASA will ensure that 

the technologies will be ready by the mid to late 2020s to transition into U.S. industry's next 

generation single-aisle transport aircraft.

• Fund a sustainable flight demonstrator with a first flight in FY 2026

• Ensure funding for at least two major electrified powertrain demonstrations

• Accelerate subsonic technology development by up to two years

• Develop technologies needed to enable use of sustainable aviation fuels

• Enhance air traffic management automation tools that will safely and reliably put future aircraft 

on flight paths optimized for minimal environmental impact

• Expand research on zero-emissions aircraft concepts and technologies through the highly 

successful University Leadership Initiative

www.nasa.gov | 9
www.nasa.gov | 10

Sustainable Flight

National Partnership

NASA – U.S. Industry Partnership to Enable 

Transformational 2030’s Commercial Vehicles

Aerosciences Evaluation and 

Test Capabilities Portfolio

Advanced Air Vehicles 

Program

Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program

Transformative Aeronautics 

Concepts Program

Airspace Operations and 

Safety Program
Aviation Industry Pillars for a Sustainable Future

NASA = Primary Role NASA = Supporting Role NASA = Primary Role

www.nasa.gov | 11

Global Aviation Industry’s GOAL: 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 relative to 2005 

and possible net zero emissions by 2060 through these three means
Sustainable Flight National Partnership Benefits

www.nasa.gov | 12

High-Rate Composites for 6x 

manufacturing rate increase

(HiCAM Project)

Small Core Gas Turbine for 

5%-10% fuel burn benefit

(HyTEC Project)

Sustainable Aviation Fuels for 

reduced lifecycle carbon 

emissions

(AATT Project)

Electrified Aircraft Propulsion for 

~5% fuel burn and maintenance 

benefit

(EPFD Project)

Transonic Truss-Braced Wing 

for 5%-10% fuel burn benefit

(AATT Project)

Integrated Trajectory Optimization 

for 1%-2% reduction in fuel 

required and minimization of 

contrail formation

(ATM-X Project)
Subsonic Transports: Integrated Technology Development

FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29

Leverage

the Asset 

–

Future 

Spirals

Planned

Notional

Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) 

Model Based Systems 

Analysis & Engineering

AATT - Transonic Truss Braced Wing 

Hi-Rate Composite Aircraft 

Manufacturing

(HiCAM) 

Hybrid Thermally Efficient 

Core (HyTEC)

AATT - Electrified Aircraft Propulsion

Technology Readiness Target

Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD)

Achieve TRL 6 in time for Industry 

Product Decision-Making

Flight Test

Mfg Demo & Structural Test

Core Demonstration & Test

Flight Test

www.nasa.gov | 13

TC Completion

TC Completion
Sustainable Flight Demonstrator

Scope

• Develop and fly an integrated multi-technology flight 

demonstrator with U.S. industry to mature technologies that 

enable the next-generation single-aisle aircraft in the 2030s.

Benefit

• Validate promising technologies, retire technical risks, and 

mature to TRL 6 key synergistic commercial transport vehicle 

technologies. Combined, these technologies could support 

efficiency and environmental performance goals for the 2030s. 

Approach

• Currently in pre-formulation

• Request for information in November 2020 

• December 2020 industry day to discuss ideas

R i s k R e d u c t i o n C o n t r a c t A w a r d s 2 0 2 1 , D e s i g n / B u i l d C o n t r a c t A w a r d 2 0 2 2

www.nasa.gov | 14

Demonstrate integrated technologies in flight

FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27

Preliminary & detailed design

Build

Test
Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration

Scope

• Demonstrate practical vehicle-level integration of megawatt-class 

electrified aircraft propulsion systems, leveraging advanced airframe 

systems to reinvigorate the regional and emerging smaller aircraft 

markets and strengthen the single aisle aircraft market.

• Assess gaps in regulations/standards to support future Electrified 

Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) certification requirements.

Benefit

• Accelerate U.S. industry readiness to transition to Electrified Aircraft 

Propulsion (EAP)-based commercial transport aircraft. 

• Enable new standards that are needed for EAP-based aircraft 

certification. 

Approach

• Engage with U.S. industry to integrate and demonstrate megawatt-class 

EAP machines in flight.

• Engage with the FAA, SAE, ASTM, etc. to contribute data that inform 

EAP standards and regulations.

MW electric

High voltage

FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25

Test 1 Prel / detail design / fab & integ.

First flight Test 1

Test 2 Prel / detail design / fab & integration

First flight Test 2

S O L I C I TAT I O N R E S P O N S E S S U B M I T T E D T O N A S A I N M AY 2 0 2 1

www.nasa.gov | 15

Demonstrate integrated electrified powertrains in flight using industry platforms
NASA’s Vision for Sustainable Aviation Operations

www.nasa.gov | 16

• Integrated trajectories 

optimized for 

environmental benefit

• Advanced flight deck 

capabilities to operate on 

those trajectories

• Tailored services that 

support safe integration of 

all diverse operations
Evolution of 

Airspace 

Operations 

and Safety

www.nasa.gov | 17

S-curves

(Today) (~2035) (~2045)

Collaborative

Highly-Automated

Digital Transformation of ATM

Trajectory

Automated in-time safety 

monitoring and alerting services

Integrated predictive risk 

mitigation across domains

Automatically-assured adaptive 

in-time safety management
www.nasa.gov | 18

Low Boom Flight 

Demonstration Mission

Enabling Commercial Supersonic Flight

Advanced Air Vehicles 

Program

Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program
High-Speed Commercial Flight

www.nasa.gov | 19

Sustainable transformation of the speed of air travel

Generate 

key data to 

support development 

of en route certification 

standards based 

on acceptable 

sound levels

Addressing the unique barriers to sustainable, 

environmentally responsible high-speed flight
Recent Scenes of X-59 Construction Progress 

www.nasa.gov | 20

Components of NASA’s 

first piloted supersonic 

X-plane in a generation

are under construction 

by our contract partner 

Lockheed Martin.

C O M P L E T E V E H I C L E B U I L D A N D R O L L O U T L AT E R T H I S Y E A R 

A C H I E V E F I R S T F L I G H T I N 2 0 2 2
Low-Boom Flight Demonstration Mission Overview

www.nasa.gov | 21 NASA Dryden Aeronautical Test Range

F-15 Probe Aircraft

LBFD Aircraft

Meteorological Data (ground)

GPS

Air Traffic Control and Communications

Mission Control and Telemetry

NASA Operations and Ground Facilities

Hangar Edwards Air Force Base

Telemetry & Communication

Air-to-Air s

Position Data

Meteorological Data (balloon)

TG-14 with Microphone

Microphone Arrays

(ground)

ConOps Composite

Community Surveys

_ _ _ _ _ Near-field _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ Mid-field _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ Far-field _ _ _

_ _ _ _ Ground-level _ _ _

Schlieren Imaging

(airborne)

Schlieren Imaging

(ground)

Phase 1 – Aircraft Development

In progress (FY18-23) 

• Design, fabricate a quiet supersonic research aircraft

• Prove performance in test range flights

• Prove safety for flights in normal airspace

Phase 2 – Acoustic Validation

Preparation in progress (FY18-23), Execution FY23-24

• Prove the acoustic characteristics match design targets

• Detailed in flight and ground measurements in test range

Phase 3 – Community Response Testing 

Preparation in progress (FY19-23), Execution FY24-27

• Conduct community tests 

• Select communities 

• Outreach and engagement (including STEM)

• Obtain necessary approval

• Plan surveys and recruit participants

• Collect ground measurements

Systematic 

Approach Leading 

to Community 

Testing
www.nasa.gov | 22

Advanced Air

Mobility Mission

Advanced Air Vehicles 

Program

Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program

Transformative Aeronautics 

Concepts Program

Airspace Operations and 

Safety Program
Advanced Air Mobility Mission

Safe, sustainable, affordable, and accessible aviation for transformational local and intraregional missions
Latest studies show an annual estimated market of $115B by 2035

Advanced Air Mobility is Emerging

www.nasa.gov | 24

CARGO 

TRANSPORT

PUBLIC GOOD

PASSENGER 

TRANSPORT

CONSUMER/ 

ENTERPRISE 

GOODS AND 

SERVICES
National Campaign Series support of the Industry Timeline

www.nasa.gov | 25

CY2020 CY2022 CY2023 CY2025 CY2026 CY2027

UML ”unlocks” based on a range of publicly available industry projections and conversations with partners; not a consensus view

CY2029

Help catalyze 

UML 1, 2...

CY2021 CY2024

Industry proposed 

UML-1 unlock

Industry proposed

UML-2 unlock

Industry proposed

UML-4 unlock

CY2030

Key enablers to 

accelerate the UML 

3&4 timeline...

Industry 

proposed UML-3 

unlock

CY2028

Remain Agile... 

Assess and align 

the AAM strategy 

with industry needs

NC-1 Operational Safety

NC-2 Complex Operations

NC-3 High Volume Vertiports 

NC-4 Scaled Urban Demo

NC Series Progression

R&D Flight Tests

NC Series Ops Demonstrations

Legend

X-Series Simulations
www.nasa.gov | 26

Hypersonic Technology

Advanced Air Vehicles 

Program
Industry Engagement on Future 

Commercial Hypersonic Vision

Fundamental Research on 

Dual-Use Applications

Strong Department of Defense Partnership

Hypersonic Technology Project

www.nasa.gov | 27
www.nasa.gov | 28

Energizing the U.S. 

Aeronautics Innovation Pipeline

Transformative Aeronautics 

Concepts Program
ARMD’s Agile Innovation Ecosystem

www.nasa.gov | 29

Convergent Aeronautical Solutions University Leadership Initiative University Leadership Initiative

NASA Leadership for the Aviation Community – Exploration, Invention and Innovation 
University Leadership Initiative Engaging the University Community

www.nasa.gov | 30

NASA’s University Leadership Initiative represents a 

new type of interaction between ARMD and the 

university community, where universities take the lead, 

build their own teams, and set their own research path.

4 rounds of solicitations

$126M of awards

Seeking & awarding proposals 

addressing all Strategic Thrusts

• 19 awards with 59 

universities

• 6 HBCUs and 9 MSIs

• 333 proposals submitted

• 245 different proposing 

Principal Investigators

• 2468 team members

• 1602 different people

• 20–50 students per team
Net Zero Aviation Emissions Innovation

www.nasa.gov | 31

Foster radical aviation 

technology advancement –

new energy sources, aircraft 

architectures – necessary for 

large aircraft with extremely 

low or zero emissions

Low TRL concepts 

can be further 

conceptualized, researched, 

developed, ground and flight 

tested and advanced for late 

2030s / early 2040s

Recent University 

Leadership Initiative 

solicitation (March 2021) 

included net-zero 

emissions topics

Examples 

of current 

Research at 

Low TRL

NASA Distributed 

Propulsion Concept

• Turbo-Electric with 

superconducting 

electric drivetrain

• Over 70% reduction 

in energy use

University of Illinois, 

Urbana-Champagne (NASA 

ULI) fully electric concept

• Hydrogen fuel cell, 

superconducting 

electric drivetrain

• Zero carbon emissions
www.nasa.gov | 32

Aerosciences Evaluation 

and Test Capabilities

Aerosciences Evaluation and 

Test Capabilities Portfolio
Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities (AETC) Portfolio

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC)

Moffett Field, CA NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC)

Hampton, VA

Portfolio Objectives

▪ Strategically manage, operate, 

sustain, and improve a critical portion 

of aerosciences ground test capabilities 

in support of Agency testing 

requirements

▪ Ensure the strategic availability and 

ease of access of a minimum critical 

suite of aerosciences ground test 

assets that are necessary to meet the 

long-term needs of the Nation. 

Portfolio Scope 

▪ Aerosciences ground test facilities deemed 

critical to Agency

▪ Investments in operations, maintenance, 

new capability and test technology, data 

systems and security, and CFDexperimental integration investments

NASA Internal Use Only www.nasa.gov | 33

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC)

Cleveland, OH
www.nasa.gov | 34

Summary
Summary

• NASA is leading transformation across the aviation sector, including next generation large civil aircraft, quiet 

supersonic flight, advanced air mobility and the next evolution of air traffic management.

• NASA Aeronautics is partnering with industry, academia and other agencies through the Sustainable Flight 

National Partnership to accomplish the aviation community’s aggressive climate change agenda through 

dramatic efficiency gains.

• We have accelerated our plans to demonstrate high-risk, high-payoff technology advancements that will be 

critical for U.S. aerospace manufacturers to bring to market innovative, cost-effective and sustainable products 

and services demanded by airlines and customers.

• This budget will enable technology maturity at the pace required for continued U.S. competitiveness in global 

markets.

• NASA Aeronautics continues building on decades of contributions to aviation to persistently and consistently 

improve environmental sustainability, global mobility, and economic growth.

www.nasa.gov | 35
Four Transformations for Sustainability, Greater Mobility, and Economic Growth
www.nasa.gov | 37

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