NASA and DoD to Cooperate on Aeronautics Development & Testing

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 […]