In December 2006, the National Aeronautics Research and Development Policy Executive Order was signed by President Bush. Among its various provisions, it resolved to:
“2(a) review the funding and activities of the Federal Government relating to aeronautics R&D;
2(b)(vi) enhance coordination and communication among executive departments and agencies to maximize the effectiveness of Federal Government R&D resources; and…
3(a) develop and, not later than 1 year after the date of this order, submit for approval by the President a plan for national aeronautics R&D and for related infrastructure, (the “plan”), and thereafter submit, not less often than biennially, to the President for approval any changes to the plan.”
The first effects are now being felt…
In late January 2007, NASA and the US Department of Defense signed an agreement to develop an integrated national strategy for managing their respective aeronautical test facilities. This MoU replaces the former NATA (National Aeronautical Test Alliance) agreement.
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Kenneth Krieg signed the “National Partnership for Aeronautical Testing” (NPAT) agreement, which will include industry, academia, the science and technology interests from both agencies, and their respective the test and evaluation communities.
In addition, an NPAT council co-chaired by key key representatives of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and the Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center has been founded to streamline and economize the management of aeronautical test facilities, sharing information about the technical capabilities and availability of their respective test facilities.
Aeronautical test facilities are used for testing vehicles (e.g., aircraft, missiles or space vehicles) or for related scientific and engineering studies. They include wind tunnels, propulsion test facilities, simulation facilities and open-air ranges.
The MoU has a number of limitations: NPAT is not a separate organization, but is supported and funded from within NASA and the DoD. That funding is “subject to availability” rather than a set commitment. Finally, the NPAT Council meets only semi-annually, not usually the hallmark of a body intent on major organizational changes.
See: DoD release | NASA release | “National Partnership for Aeronautical Testing” [PDF format]