Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
NASA’s origins trace back to 1915 with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which soon established its people and facilities as the world’s leading home for aeronautics research. Today, every U.S. commercial aircraft and air traffic control facility incorporates NASA-developed technology. That heritage continues at NASA, where the first “A” stands for Aeronautics, and the efforts to safely and sustainably transform aviation for the 21st century are managed by the agency’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD).
Latest ARMD News
ARMD Videos Playlist
Your next bingeworthy series is right here. Enjoy this collection of videos that help tell the story of how NASA’s Aeronautics Research Directorate is transforming aviation for the 21st century.
See the ARMD Video PlaylistNASA Aeronautics – Shaping the Future of U.S. Aviation
NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate is transforming U.S. aviation across four key areas, delivering benefits for the industry and air travelers nationwide.
Pioneering High-Speed Flight
Speed defines modern air transportation, and faster journeys bring economic opportunity. NASA is pushing the envelope to enable routine commercial supersonic flight over land and open opportunities for flight over five times the speed of sound.
Transforming Airframes and Propulsion
Modern airliners are foundational to worldwide travel. Meeting future demand and improving fuel efficiency require new breakthroughs. NASA is exploring new designs, advanced propulsion, and novel integration techniques to enhance aircraft performance.
Automating Airspace and Safety Management
As demand grows and airspace becomes more complex, the U.S. needs a modern system that can safely accommodate more crowded skies. NASA develops technologies and collects data needed to ensure aircraft of any size, purpose, or altitude can operate safely and efficiently.
Revolutionizing Engineering Methods
Designing next generation aerospace systems demands faster, smarter engineering. NASA operates unique test facilities and develops advanced tools to drive the future of aviation. Many of these tools support space exploration missions and strengthen the broader industry.
Our Strategy
This Strategic Implementation Plan sets forth NASA's vision for aeronautical research aimed at the next 25 years and beyond. It encompasses a broad range of technologies to meet future needs of the aviation community, the nation, and the world for safe, efficient, flexible, and environmentally sustainable air transportation.
Read the Plan about Our Strategy
ARMD Programs
NASA’s aeronautical research is organized into four major programs. Learn about them here.
Advanced Air Vehicles Program
Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP) studies, evaluates, and develops technologies and capabilities for new aircraft systems, and also explores far-future concepts that hold promise for revolutionary air-travel improvements.
Airspace Operations and Safety Program
Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP) transforms the national airspace to accommodate the variety, density, and complexity of future operations — ensuring U.S. skies remain safe, innovative, and globally competitive.
Integrated Aviation Systems Program
Integrated Aviation Systems Program (IASP) conducts flight-oriented, system-level research and technology development to effectively mature and transition advanced aeronautic technologies into future air vehicles and operational systems.
Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program
Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) cultivates concepts and capabilities that inspire new solution paths, enable innovative design, and lead to technologies that transform aviation.
Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities
The Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities portfolio office executes strategic efforts to preserve and enhance research and test capabilities for NASA’s world-class portfolio of National Wind Tunnel facilities.
Learn More About the AETC Portfolio
Quesst Mission
Interested in flying to your next destination in half the time? NASA's Quesst mission is to lead a government-industry team to collect data that could make commercial supersonic flight over land possible, dramatically reducing air travel time in the United States or anywhere in the world. The centerpiece of the mission is the X-59 aircraft.
Learn More About the Quesst Mission about Quesst Mission
Advanced Air Mobility
NASA’s work with advanced air mobility seeks to transform our communities by bringing the movement of people and goods off the ground, on demand, and into the sky. This air transportation system of the future will include low-altitude passenger transport, cargo delivery, and public service capabilities.
Learn More About AAM about Advanced Air Mobility
Office of the Associate Administrator for Aeronautics
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Leadership Team
ARMD AA Awards
The ARMD Associate Administrator (AA) Awards are presented to NASA employees, contractors, and students or interns who distinguish themselves, either individually or as part of a group, through their overall approach to their work and through results they achieved during the award year.
View the 2024 AA Awards Honorees about ARMD AA Awards
NASA Aeronautics Field Centers
NASA conducts its research and operations at field centers across the United States. Four of those centers have traditionally been home to the agency's aeronautics work. Learn more about them.
Why should I care?
You may not have flown today, but something you needed or used today did. The latest electronic gadget, flowers for a loved one, life-saving medicine, or even fresh seafood for supper — many of your most important needs and wants were delivered to you because of air travel. The importance of aviation to our lives, our economy, and to our society at large is undisputed. Ensuring we have the safest, most sustainable, and most advanced aeronautics technology is the goal of our hard-working aeronautical innovators. Here are some facts about aviation’s contributions to the the U.S. economy:
9.24 million flights by U.S. carriers worldwide in 2025
972 million passengers flown by U.S. airlines in 2025
22 million tons of freight transported by U.S. airlines in 2025
2.23 million aerospace/defense jobs; 4682,000 in aeronautics/aircraft in 2025
With more than a century of aeronautical research heritage to back it up, we’re fond of reminding folks that NASA is with you when you fly. That’s because some piece or form of NASA technology is in use on every U.S. airplane flying today. The images presented here offer just a few examples of how you benefit from NASA when you fly.
Aeronautics Innovation Challenge
NASA’s Aeronautics Innovation Challenges are your entry points to the exciting, fast-moving aviation world of today. And they’re valuable ways for us to get inputs and ideas that may never have occurred to us. Thank you for joining our journey!
Learn More about Aeronautics Innovation Challenges about Aeronautics Innovation Challenge
Learn More and Get Involved
Other Aeronautics topics
Supersonic Flight
Research about flying faster than the speed of sound.
Flight Innovation
Stories about pioneering the frontiers of 21st century flight.
Drones & You
All about new ways to get from here to there in the air.
Ultra-Efficient Aviation
Learn about research to make aviation more sustainable.
Air Traffic Solutions
Read about how NASA is opening up the sky for all.
