Air Vehicle Technology

This focus area includes tools and technologies that contribute to both the Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP) and the Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) encompassing technologies in all six Strategic Thrusts within the NASA Aeronautics Mission Directorate (ARMD). AAVP develops knowledge, technologies, tools, and innovative concepts to enable safe new aircraft that will fly faster, cleaner, and quieter and use fuel far more efficiently than in the past. AAVP advanced, integrated technologies and capabilities improve vehicle performance and intrinsic safety by reducing fuel usage, noise, and emissions. Fuel efficiency and environmental factors will play an increasingly significant role as the aviation market grows in capacity. Partnering with industry, academia, and other government agencies, AAVP pursues mutually beneficial collaborations to leverage opportunities for effective technology transition. TACP encourages revolutionary concepts, creates the environment for researchers to experiment with new ideas, performs ground and small-scale flight tests, and drives rapid turnover into potential future concepts to enable aviation transformation. Research is organized to aggressively engage both the traditional aeronautics community and non-traditional partners. Although TACP focuses on sharply focused studies, the program provides flexibility for innovators to assess new-technology feasibility and provide the knowledge base for radical aeronautics advances.