NASA Aeronautics Research Strateg

Analysis, Vision, and Program Plann

Presentation to REDAC Subcommittee for Aircraft Safet

September 17, 2014

John A. Cavolowsky

Director, Airspace Operations and Safety Program
Topics

• NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Strategy • Six Strategic Thrusts• FY15 Program Organization• Acknowledgement: 

– Thanks to Robert Pearce, Director. Strategy, Architecture & A

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
Approach to Planning

Strategic Trend Analysis

Systems & Portfolio Analysis

Community Dialogue

Subject Matter Experts

Sets the FramewoDevelops ConceptChallenges & PrioPerforms Technica

NASA Strategic Plan

ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan
Exploring Strategic Trends

Challenges Traditional Approaches

China & India Growing Economically 

at Historically Unprecedented Rates

They will have the La

Middle-Class

The World will be 

Predominantly Urban

Technology Developm

Adoption is Accelera
Why are these trends important?

Challenges are multiplying and accelerating – technology is a ke

They drive expanding competitiofor high tech manufacturing...

They drive global demand growth for air travel...

They enable “leapfrog” adoption of new technology/infrastructure...

They drive resource use, cosand impacts...

Estimated additional passenger 

volume in 2016 vs 2011
Three Mega Drivers Emerge

Traditional measures of global 

demand for mobility -

economic development, 

urbanization - are growing 

rapidly

Revoluti

inf

communi

enable op

critical au

Severe energy and climate 

issues create enormous 

affordability and sustainability 

challenges
Air Transportation - A Critical Global Capabilit

Century long trend toward 

urbanization...

Source: United Nations

Century long trend toward 

transport...

*

* Include

Urbanization is 

occurring at the rate of 7 

“Chicagos” a year

International Air Transport Association (IATA) – Vision 205The world in 2050: “Traffic has grown from 2.4 billion to 16 billpassengers in the last 40 years...Technologically advanced airon advanced renewable energy sources and capable of carryinfrom 2 to 2000 passengers connect intercontinental traffic througlobal gateways feeding them to 50-75 regional hubs which redonwards to local airports.”
Global Competition from New Comers

Russia has a very mature and extensive multi-disciplinary aeronautical research capacity.

Russia develops anregional and single aSales are limited, butoward greater globa

Research & Development Product Dev

Brazil’s aeronautical research capacity 

is still limited in comparison to the US and Europe, but it is expanding and aeronautics is a strategic sector for research investment.

Brazil develops and class regional aircraand jets. Its largest compete in the Boeiaisle transport) mark

India produces aero

components, but is aof prototype indigenothe production of aircinternational partners

India’s high quality aeronautical research capacity is limited to a few government and university labs. However, aeronautics research is a sector for strategic investment.

China is developing 

aisle commercial tranto be a major global aeronautical and avia2020.

China has been developing its aeronautical research capacity since the 1960s. They have a national aeronautical laboratory system that is composed of over 10,000 technical staff and 2000 senior researchers. 

US Industry has invested significantly in establishing research and development capacity and/or part

developing economies due to market growth realities and to take advantage of global research a
Escalating Fuel Prices have a Large Aviation 

Impact

Source: A4A

05

101520253035

Fuel as Percentage 

Airline Cost

1995 2000 2

Source: MIT Airline Data Project

“Fuel is the only major cost item

that has become significantly

larger over time

”

IATA
Global Warming Imperative

How do we sustainably satisfy global demand for air transportati

Global Transportation Contribution to CO2 Emissions

Source: GAO

Strategies for Reducing TransportationRelated Greenhouse Gas Emissions• Reduce the total volume of transportation activity;• Shift transportation activity to modes that emit 

fewer GHGs per passenger-mile or ton-mile;

• Reduce the amount of energy required to produce 

a unit of transport activity (that is, increase the energy efficiency of each mode); or

• Reduce the GHG emissions associated with the 

use of each unit of energy Source: NAS

Global Aviation IndusPlan(1) From 2009 until 2020

1.5% efficiency improper year

(2) From 2020: Capping e

growth from aviation

(3) By 2050: halving net e

based on 2005 levels

Industry Goals
Technology Convergence

Enabling Assured Autonomy for Safety Critical Systems

Tomorrow

Centralized,

Expert Operator

Embedded System 

Intelligence

Net-Centric Information – Big Data

Today

Reduce Operations C

Improve Pe

Inc

TransfOn De
Core Technologies support needed capacity growth and 

enable simultaneous reduction in energy use, noise and emissions• Structural, Aerodynamic & Propulsion Component Efficiency• New Configurations• Automation for Efficient TBO OperationsHowever, performance gaps remain to fully account for future challenges in mobility, cost and climateLow Carbon Fuels and Propulsion closes gaps in carbon emissionsAutonomy closes gaps in cost and enables mobility innovationSystems & Portfolio AnalysisExample of integrated assessment of core investments in NextGN+2 / N+3 Transport Technologies

NextGen

Concepts and Technology

Conce

N+3 

Concepts and Techno
NASA Aeronautics Vision for the 21st Ce

On Demand Fast

TRANSFORMATIVE

Intelligent Low Carbon

SUSTAINABLE

Safety, NextGen

Efficiency, Environment

GLOBAL

A rev

s
NASA Aeronautics Research Six Strategic 

Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Ope

• Enable full NextGen and develop technologie

reduce aircraft safety risks

Innovation in Commercial Superson

• Achieve a low-boom standard

Ultra-Efficient Commercial Vehicles

• Pioneer technologies for big leaps in efficienc

environmental performance

Transition to Low-Carbon Propulsio

• Characterize drop-in alternative fuels and pio

low-carbon propulsion technology

Real-Time System-Wide Safety Ass

• Develop an integrated prototype of a real-time 

monitoring and assurance system

Assured Autonomy for Aviation Tra

• Develop high impact aviation autonomy appli
Proposed Program Reorganization

Goal 1: Pursue Innovative Solutions Aligned to the Strategic ThrustsEnable programs to clearly define most compelling technical challenges and retire them in a timeframe that is supportable by stakeholders and is required by our customers.Addressed through the formation of three Mission Programs and the integration of safety research throughout all programs.• Airspace Operations and 

Safety Program

• Advanced Air Vehicles 

Program

• Integrated Aviation Systems 

Program

Goal 2: Incentivize MultiDisciplinary “Convergent” ResearchEstablish a flexible and organic environment to allow for the development of high-risk, leapfrog ideas to address “big problems.” This will allow rapid demonstration of feasibility with high turnover rates, conducted in a convergent, multi-disciplinary, integrated manner.Addressed through the formation of the Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program

Goal 3: EnabWorkforce anAgility and F• Enable mo

embed fligthroughout and bring bculture.

• Enable mo

practices tfidelity simtesting, an

Addressed by Aeronautics Taircraft into thVehicles and ISystems Prog

The Promotion of Innovation and Convergent Research.
How are the vision’s research thrusts us

Airspace Operations and Safety Program

Advanced Air Vehicles Program

Integrated Aviation Systems Program

Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program

AOSP AAVP IASP

TACP

Safe, Efficient Growth in Global OperationsReal-Time SystemWide Safety AssuranceAssured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation

Ultra-Efficient Commercial VehiclesInnovation in Commercial Supersonic AircraftTransition to LowCarbon PropulsionAssured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation

Flight researchoriented, integrated, system-level R&T that supports all six thrustsX-planes/test environment

High-risk, leap-frog ideas that support all six thrustsCritical cross-cutting tool & technology development

MISSION PROGRAMSSEEDLING PROGRAM

All of the proposed programs address more than one, or all, of the research thrusts.
Why a new aeronautics research strateg

• NASA Aeronautics has solid 

partnerships, high relevancy, and is delivering high impact

• But need to recognize:

– Rising competition in international 

R&D

– Challenges in mobility, energy and 

climate

– Opportunities to infuse rapidly 

advancing non-aerospace sector technologies

• ARMD’s new strategy builds on 

current leadership and focuses on enabling revolutionary advances

The Time Bomb of Complacency – AvWeek Editorial, September 2, 2013

“An alarm needs to be sounded. A vital and vigorous aeronautics research program 

is essential... NASA’s unveiling of a new strategy for aeronautics research is a bold and welcome move.” 

“Civi

with recoincrfaciaffosusand tech

GrahAvW

Now is the time to lay the groundwork for the next 100 years of excellence.
NEW PROGRAM 

ORGANIZATIONNASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
Program Directors

• John Cavolowsky

Director, Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP

• Jay Dryer

Director, Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP)

• Ed Waggoner

Director, Integrated Aviation Systems Program (IASP)

• Doug Rohn

Director, Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (
What is the Airspace Operations and Safety P

Continue

Program 

aircraf

researc

safety 

previous

the Avia

Develops and explores 

fundamental concepts, algorithms, 

and technologies to increase 

throughput and efficiency of the 

National Airspace System safely. 

Provides knowledge, concepts, 

and methods to the aviation 

community to manage increasing 

complexity in the design and 

operation of vehicles and the air 

transportation system. 

Airspace 

Operations 

and Safety 

Program

This program integrates the Airspace Systems Program and Aviation System-Safety work.

Proposed ProjectsAirspace Technology DemonstrationsSMART NAS—Testbed for Safe Trajectory-Based OperationsSafe Autonomous System Operations
What is the Advanced Air Vehicles 

Program?

Continues much 

of the research that was in the 

Fundamental Aeronautics Program, 

with a new focus on research that is 

directly related to the newly defined 

strategic thrusts. It now houses the 

Advanced Composites Project that 

was previously in the Integrated 

Systems Research Program. It also 

includes the ground test portion 

of the former Aeronautics 

Test Program.

Conducts fundamental research 

to improve aircraft performance and 

minimize environmental impacts

from subsonic air vehicles

Develops and validates tools, technologies 

and concepts to overcome key barriers, including 

noise, efficiency, and safety for rotorcraft vehicles

Explores theoretical research for potential 

advanced capabilities and configurations for low 

boom supersonic aircraft. 

Conducts research to reduce the timeline for 

certification of composite structures for aviation

Ensures the strategic availability, accessibility, 

and capability of a critical suite of aeronautics 

ground test facilities to meet Agency and 

national aeronautics testing needs. 

Advanced 

Air Vehicles 

Program

The Fundamental Aeronautics Program, ground test capabilities, atmospheric environments related safety.

ProAdTeReLift CoProAdProAean
What is the Integrated Aviation Systems Pr

Coordinates long-term 

ongoing research with other ARMD 

programs as done by the Integrated 

Systems Research Program. 

Continues the Environmentally 

Responsible Aviation and UAS in 

the NAS projects and includes the 

flight test portion of the former 

Aeronautics Test Program.

Conducts research on 

promising concepts and 

technologies at an integrated 

system level

Explores, assesses, and demonstrates 

the benefits of promising technologies 

in a relevant environment

Conducts research into environmentally 

responsible aviation and unmanned system 

integration into the national airspace

Supports flight research needs 

across the ARMD strategic thrusts, 

programs and projects

Completes flight demonstrations

Integrated 

Aviation 

Systems Program

Bridges the gap between technology readiness levels.

PropEnviResUAS FlighCap
What is the Transformative Aeronautics Concept 

Solicits 

revolut

Creates 

for resea

immer

n

Perfor

small-s

Drives 

into 

Cultivates multi-disciplinary, 

revolutionary concepts to enable 

aviation transformation and harnesses 

convergence in aeronautics and nonaeronautics technologies to create new 

opportunities in aviation

Knocks down technical barriers and 

infuses internally and externally originated 

concepts into all six strategic thrusts 

identified by ARMD, creating innovation 

for tomorrow in the aviation system. 

Provides flexibility for innovators to 

explore technology feasibility and 

provide the knowledge base for 

radical transformation. 

Transformative 

Aeronautics 

Concept 

Program

While mission programs focus on solving challenges, this program focuses on cultivating opportunities.

Proposed ProjectsLeading Edge Aeronautics Research for NASATransformational Tools And TechnologiesConvergent Aeronautics Solutions