Glenn Expertise: Transforming Aviation

Aeronautics Research for the Benefit of All

NASA’s Glenn Research Center is Cleveland is conducting revolutionary aeronautics research to help the nation achieve its climate change goals. Glenn also is exploring next-generation supersonic and hypersonic aircraft. Every U.S. aircraft has NASA Glenn technology on board. Our technology makes flight safer, faster, quieter, and more sustainable.

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Electrified Aircraft Propulsion

Glenn is leading research and development of electrified aircraft propulsion technologies to make the next generation of commercial airplanes more fuel efficient.

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A rendering showing a front view of a single-aisle aircraft with eight electric engines under each wing flying across a blue sky. The words “SUSAN Electrofan” and “PAX 180” are displayed along the side of the fuselage, along with the NASA insignia on the side and tail of the aircraft.

NASA’s Subsonic Single Aft engine (SUSAN) Electrofan is a hybrid electric aircraft concept that combines traditional fuel-based propulsion with new electrified aircraft propulsion technologies to improve aircraft performance and reduce emissions.
Credit: NASA

Advanced Air Mobility

Glenn supports the NASA Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) mission’s plan to map out a safe, accessible, and affordable new air transportation system alongside industry and community partners and the Federal Aviation Administration.

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PC-12 Aircraft is seen on the runway outside of NASA Glenn's aircraft hangar.

Acoustics Research

Glenn performs experimental and analytical research to reduce community noise caused by subsonic, supersonic, and advanced air mobility vehicles.

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The Moog SureFly aircraft hovers above Cincinnati Municipal Airport during an acoustic hover test.

Researchers from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland traveled to Cincinnati Municipal Airport– Lunken Field, where they acquired noise data as the Moog SureFly vehicle hovered over an array of 28 ground-level microphones.

Credits: NASA

Engine and Airframe Icing Research

Most ice protection technologies in use on aircraft today were developed at Glenn. NASA began studying how ice accumulation on planes effects flight in 1944 with the completion of Glenn’s Icing Research Tunnel – the longest running and second largest icing facility in the world.

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