Part B - High Priority Aeronautics Research and Development Programs

42 USC 16721 - Fundamental research program

(a) Objective 
In order to ensure that the Nation maintains needed capabilities in fundamental areas of aeronautics research, the Administrator shall establish a program of long-term fundamental research in aeronautical sciences and technologies that is not tied to specific development projects.
(b) Operation 
The Administrator shall conduct the program under this section, in part by awarding grants to institutions of higher education. The Administrator shall encourage the participation of institutions of higher education located in States that participate in the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. All grants to institutions of higher education under this section shall be awarded through merit review.
(c) Assessment 
The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council for an assessment of the Nations future requirements for fundamental aeronautics research and whether the Nation will have a skilled research workforce and research facilities commensurate with those requirements. The assessment shall include an identification of any projected gaps, and recommendations for what steps should be taken by the Federal Government to eliminate those gaps.
(d) Report 
The Administrator shall transmit the assessment, along with NASAs response to the assessment, to Congress not later than 2 years after December 30, 2005.

42 USC 16722 - Research and technology programs

(a) Environmental aircraft research and development 
The Administrator may establish an initiative with the objective of developing, and demonstrating in a relevant environment, technologies to enable the following commercial aircraft performance characteristics:
(1) Noise 
Noise levels on takeoff and on airport approach and landing that do not exceed ambient noise levels in the absence of flight operations in the vicinity of airports from which such commercial aircraft would normally operate.
(2) Energy consumption 
Twenty-five percent reduction in the energy required for medium- to long-range flights, compared to aircraft in commercial service as of December 30, 2005.
(3) Emissions 
Nitrogen oxides on take-off and landing that are significantly reduced, without adversely affecting hydrocarbons and smoke, relative to aircraft in commercial service as of December 30, 2005.
(b) Supersonic transport research and development 
The Administrator may establish an initiative with the objective of developing and demonstrating, in a relevant environment, airframe and propulsion technologies to enable efficient, economical overland flight of supersonic civil transport aircraft with no significant impact on the environment.
(c) Rotorcraft and other runway-independent air vehicles 
The Administrator may establish a rotorcraft and other runway-independent air vehicles initiative with the objective of developing and demonstrating improved safety, noise, and environmental impact in a relevant environment.
(d) Hypersonics research 
The Administrator may establish a hypersonics research program with the objective of exploring the science and technology of hypersonic flight using air-breathing propulsion concepts, through a mix of theoretical work, basic and applied research, and development of flight research demonstration vehicles. The program may also include the transition to the hypersonic range of Mach 3 to Mach 5.
(e) Revolutionary aeronautical concepts 
The Administrator may establish a research program which covers a unique range of subsonic, fixed wing vehicles and propulsion concepts. This research is intended to push technology barriers beyond current subsonic technology. Propulsion concepts include advanced materials, morphing engines, hybrid engines, and fuel cells.
(f) Fuel cell-powered aircraft research 

(1) Objective 
The Administrator may establish a fuel-cell powered aircraft research program whose objective shall be to develop and test concepts to enable a hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft that would have no hydrocarbon or nitrogen oxide emissions into the environment.
(2) Approach 
The Administrator may establish a program of competitively awarded grants available to teams of researchers that may include the participation of individuals from universities, industry, and government for the conduct of this research.
(g) Mars aircraft research 

(1) Objective 
The Administrator may establish a Mars Aircraft project whose objective shall be to develop and test concepts for an uncrewed aircraft that could operate for sustained periods in the atmosphere of Mars.
(2) Approach 
The Administrator may establish a program of competitively awarded grants available to teams of researchers that may include the participation of individuals from universities, industry, and government for the conduct of this research.

42 USC 16723 - Airspace Systems Research

(a) Objective 
The Airspace Systems Research program shall pursue research and development to enable revolutionary improvements to and modernization of the National Airspace System, as well as to enable the introduction of new systems for vehicles that can take advantage of an improved, modern air transportation system.
(b) Alignment 
Not later than 1 year after December 30, 2005, the Administrator shall align the projects of the Airspace Systems Research program so that they directly support the objectives of the Joint Planning and Development Offices Next Generation Air Transportation System Integrated Plan.

42 USC 16724 - Aviation Safety and Security Research

(a) Objective 
The Aviation Safety and Security Research program shall pursue research and development activities that directly address the safety and security needs of the National Airspace System and the aircraft that fly in it. The program shall develop prevention, intervention, and mitigation technologies aimed at causal, contributory, or circumstantial factors of aviation accidents.
(b) Alignment 
Not later than 1 year after December 30, 2005, the Administrator shall align the projects of the Aviation Safety and Security Research program so that they directly support the objectives of the Joint Planning and Development Offices Next Generation Air Transportation System Integrated Plan.

42 USC 16725 - Aviation weather research

The Administrator may carry out a program of collaborative research with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on convective weather events, with the goal of significantly improving the reliability of 2-hour to 6-hour aviation weather forecasts.

42 USC 16726 - Assessment of wake turbulence research and development program

(a) Assessment 
The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council for an assessment of Federal wake turbulence research and development programs. The assessment shall address at least the following questions:
(1) Are the Federal research and development goals and objectives well defined?
(2) Are there any deficiencies in the Federal research and development goals and objectives?
(3) What roles should be played by each of the relevant Federal agencies, such as NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in wake turbulence research and development?
(b) Report 
A report containing the results of the assessment conducted pursuant to subsection (a) shall be provided to Congress not later than 2 years after December 30, 2005.

42 USC 16727 - University-based Centers for Research on Aviation Training

(a) In general 
The Administrator may award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to establish one or more Centers for Research on Aviation Training under cooperative agreements with appropriate NASA Centers.
(b) Purpose 
The purpose of the Centers shall be to investigate the impact of new technologies and procedures, particularly those related to the aircraft flight deck and to the air traffic management functions, on training requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers.
(c) Application 
An institution of higher education (or a consortium of such institutions) seeking funding under this section shall submit an application to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including, at a minimum, a 5-year research plan.
(d) Award duration 
An award made by the Administrator under this section shall be for a period of 5 years and may be renewed on the basis of
(1) satisfactory performance in meeting the goals of the research plan proposed by the Center in its application under subsection (c); and
(2) other requirements as specified by the Administrator.