Expanding flight research : capabilities, needs, and management options for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate / Jan Osburg, Philip S. Antón, Frank Camm, Jeremy M. Eckhause, Jaime L. Hastings, Jakub Hlávka, James G. Kallimani, Thomas Light, Chad J. R. Ohlandt, Douglas Shontz, Abbie Tingstad, Jia Xu ; prepared for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Osburg, Jan, author.

Antón, Philip S., author.

Camm, Frank A., 1949- author.

Eckhause, Jeremy Michael, author.

Hastings, Jaime L., author.

Hlávka, Jakub, author.

Kallimani, James G., author.

Light, Thomas (Economist), author.

Ohlandt, Chad J. R., author.

Shontz, Douglas, author.

Tingstad, Abbie, 1982- author.

Xu, Jia, author.

Contributor:

Rand Corporation, issuing body, publisher.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Aeronautics--Research--United States.

Aeronautics.

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.

United States.

Other Title:

Expanding Flight Research

Summary:

"NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) is working to expand flight research in order to advance the maturation and demonstrate the application of new aeronautics concepts and technologies over the next ten years. It asked RAND to assess available flight research capabilities and future needs, identify any gaps or excess infrastructure, and develop management options that would facilitate increased and improved flight research. We found that NASA has strong flight research capabilities in most areas relevant for flight research. The few gaps that we identified could be filled through partnering or acquisition of vehicles from the marketplace when needed. Other gaps exist in sub- and full-scale experimental aircraft, but these cannot be acquired before the specific research projects are planned and funded. ARMD is already pursuing multiple efforts to increase flight research. We recommend that ARMD continue its efforts to enhance long-range planning and project funding certainty so that researchers can better include flight research in their plans and specific infrastructure needs can be identified further in advance. Cost-sharing through partnerships remains a valuable option, although industry positioning for increased intellectual property rights may be a limiting factor. Stewardship of flight research capabilities can be improved by instituting a unified, matrixed management structure across centers that can help align incentives while centralizing and improving utilization, partnering, and external outreach efforts. Finally, access and sharing barriers for researchers can be lowered through a voucher system for simple flight research efforts, streamlined processes for planning and access, and instituting state-of-the-art knowledge management approaches to store flight research data and share it with the aeronautics community"--Back cover.

Contents:

Preface

Figures and Tables

Summary

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Chapter 1: Introduction: Study Approach and Scope

Caveats and Limitations

Organization of This Report

Chapter 2: NASA ARMD Flight Research Needs, Capabilities, and Strategic Gaps: Trends in Flight Research Needs

Flight Research Capabilities Available to ARMD

Analysis of Capability Gaps and Excess

Summary of Findings

Chapter 3: Additional Factors Affecting ARMD Flight Research: ARMD Budgets

Flight Test Infrastructure

Workforce Capabilities

Some Findings from a Recent National Academies Study Still Apply

Chapter 4: Management Options: Approach Framework

Discussion of Management Options

Other Management Options Examined

Chapter 5: Assessment of Management Options: Scenario-Based Assessment of the "Increase Partnering" Management Option

Synergies Between Management Options

External Experts' Rating of Management Options

Chapter 6: Conclusions and Recommendations: Recommendations

In Closing

APPENDIXES: A. Further Considerations: Increase Partnering (MO06)

B. Further Considerations: Cross-Center Management (MO09)

References.