NASA awards $12 million to evaluate airplanes flying in 2030s

William Atkins
Wednesday, 08 October 2008 01:27

Science - Space

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded approximately US$12.21 million to five aeronautics-based organizations to study advanced concepts for subsonic and supersonic commercial transport aircraft that could be flying our skies 22 to 27 years from now.


The October 6, 2008 NASA media release “NASA awards future vehicle aircraft research contracts,” states that the goal of the studies “is on commercial transports that can overcome significant performance and environmental challenges for the benefit of the general public.”

It continues to state, “The work is intended to identify key technology development needs, such as advanced airframes and propulsion systems, as well as breakthroughs that will enable such vehicles to enter service in 2030-2035. The vehicles represent a research and development generation known as "N+3," denoting three generations beyond the current commercial transport fleet.”

The four U.S. aeronautics companies and one university awarded these 18-month research study contracts, each worth about $2 million, by the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate are led by:


The Boeing Company

“Development of Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research,” headed by The Boeing Company, along with Georgia Institute of Technology, GE Global Research, and GE Aviation; for a total first-phase award of $1.9 million.

“Advanced Concepts Studies for Supersonic Commercial Transport Aircraft Entering Service in the 2030-2035 Time Period,” headed by The Boeing Company, along with Boeing Phantom Works, GE Global Research, Georgia Institute of Technology, M4 Engineering Inc., Pratt and Whitney, Rolls Royce and Wyle Labs; total award $2.28 million.

The next four organizations are listed on page two.