WASHINGTON – NASA and the United States Army have formed an aeronautics research partnership. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren recently signed a memorandum of understanding that builds upon and expands the longstanding relationship between the two organizations.
“Although NASA and the Army have different missions, we share a common goal of pursuing innovative research that will enable revolutionary capabilities in rotorcraft,” said Lisa Porter, NASA associate administrator, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, Washington. “There are common challenges facing rotorcraft for both the military and civilian sectors — payload, range, noise and efficiency, to name just a few. It just makes sense for us to work together to advance our rotorcraft aeronautical capabilities for the nation’s benefit.”
The memorandum covers rotorcraft aeronautics, and includes flight dynamics and control, vehicle structures, propulsion, avionics, aeromechanics, safety and airspace management. The agreement is designed to ensure the free exchange of research information, reduce duplication, and enhance long-term research planning for both organizations.
“This is how the Army remains ‘technology strong’ — by creating partnerships with the best and the brightest, such as at NASA, to enable us to stay light-years ahead of our enemies,” said Thomas H. Killion, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Research and Technology and Chief Scientist. “It reflects the commitment of ourselves and our NASA partners to provide unrivaled capabilities to our soldiers and our country.”
Examples of joint agency research include:
– A recent helicopter noise flight test of a Bell Model 206 helicopter performing steady and maneuvering flight. The test highlighted several issues for guided turn control and decelerations that will be further investigated using the Army OH-58 aircraft at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
– Collaboration to develop and evaluate candidate concepts for a Variable/Multi-Speed Drive System at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Cleveland.
– Ongoing wind tunnel tests to provide performance data on slowed rotor concepts, and wake and flow field data for computational method improvement. These tests are being held in the 14-by-22-foot Subsonic Tunnel at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.
– Preparations are underway at Ames for testing of the Large Rotor Test Apparatus in the National Full Scale Aerodynamic Complex in the spring of 2008. This research supports NASA and Army objectives for advanced active rotor control and will provide data validating the effectiveness of individual blade control to improve performance and vibration characteristics for rotors.
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