Description of Driving Event:
Cancellation of Aeronautics Research and Development (R&D) Programs May Have Impact on Future of Aviation Safety
Lesson(s) Learned:
Programs such as the non-defunct High Speed Research and Advanced Subsonic Technology often yield aircraft safety improvements. Elimination of these programs may well be inimical to advances in aviation safety.
Recommendation(s):
Identify those elements of the eliminated programs which had the potential to improve aviation safety and cover them elsewhere.
Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:
NASA concurs with this recommendation. NASA has retained the elements in the High Speed Research and Advanced Subsonic Technology program that have a potential to improve aviation safety. For example, a major element of HSR was the external vision system that was being developed to allow pilots to see forward without drooping the nose of a high-speed civil transport. This technology, being developed in HSR for clear weather applications, was transferred to the Synthetic Vision project in the Aviation Safety program. The technology will be developed to enable all-weather applications. Additionally, two projects of the Advanced Subsonic Technology program were transferred to the Aviation Systems Capacity program. They are Terminal Area Productivity (TAP) and Advanced Transportation Technology (AATT). TAP is developing technologies to demonstrate safe, clear weather capacity during instrument weather conditions. AATT is developing technology to enable substantial increases in the effectiveness, efficiency, capacity, flexibility, predictability, and safety of the national and global air transportation system.
Documents Related to Lesson:
N/A
Mission Directorate(s):
- Exploration Systems
- Aeronautics Research
Additional Key Phrase(s):
- Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
- Aircraft
- Financial Management
- Policy & Planning
- Safety & Mission Assurance
Additional Info:
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