Request for Information (RFI) and Industry Day for NASA ARMD Aeronautics Flight Accelerator

Other / Unclassified

This document is a compilation of presentations from NASA's Aeronautics Flight Accelerator (AFA) Industry Day held on April 23, 2026. It outlines NASA's vision for advancing aviation through research, development, and flight demonstrations, seeking input from industry partners. The presentations cover various NASA programs, including the Integrated Aviation Systems Program (IASP) and the Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP), detailing their objectives and contributions to aviation advancements.

Key focus areas include pioneering high-speed flight, automating airspace and safety management, transforming airframes and propulsion, and revolutionizing engineering methods. The document highlights NASA's extensive research and development capabilities, facilities, and areas of interest across aeronautics and space technology, including specific expertise at NASA Ames Research Center and NASA Glenn Research Center.

NASA Langley Research Center's capabilities are detailed extensively, encompassing flight operations, engineering, aerosciences, innovative flight systems, structures and materials, and systems analysis. This includes advanced manufacturing, computational modeling, hypersonic propulsion, AI/ML in aviation, and extensive wind tunnel and ground test facilities.

This presentation serves as an informational briefing for potential industry partners interested in NASA's Aeronautics Flight Accelerator initiative. It provides insight into NASA's strategic direction, research priorities, and potential partnership opportunities. While no solicitation currently exists, the document indicates that future solicitations will be synopsized on the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE). Bidders can use this information to understand NASA's future needs and align their capabilities for potential future collaborations.

NASA is considering various partnership models, including Funded Space Act Agreements (FSAA), with an emphasis on collaboration and milestone-based payments. The document highlights NASA's engagement with industry, academia, and standards organizations, emphasizing the importance of partnerships. Key dates for refining RFIs and developing procurement/partnership agreements are mentioned.

Contact information for key personnel within IASP, TACP, and at NASA Ames, Glenn, and Langley Research Centers is provided for further inquiries regarding concept-development partnerships and potential collaborations. Bidders are encouraged to submit questions and comments electronically to the Contracting Officer, Jenni Schnarr, at jennifer.schnarr@nasa.gov.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides NASA's responses to questions submitted by interested parties regarding the Aeronautics Flight Accelerator (AFA) program.

• Desired Outcomes: NASA aims to leverage its expertise and assets for flight testing to gather data, reduce risks, and mature technology for the U.S. Aeronautics industry, supporting evolutionary advancements.
• Available Resources: NASA offers subject matter experts, test facilities, aircraft, ranges, and laboratories across its aero centers. A detailed list is available in industry day slide packages. NASA may also contribute capital.
• Success Definition: Success is defined by accelerating technology development and learnings that enable advancements in the U.S. Aeronautics industry, ideally supporting diverse activities and partnerships.
• Airworthiness Requirements: NASA's airworthiness process is risk-based, not a checklist. It requires developing an "airworthiness story" during engineering development and engaging the appropriate airworthiness authority early. The rigor of the review depends on the system's risk level.
• FAA Collaboration: NASA can facilitate early-stage discussions with the FAA regarding certification questions for MW-scale electric propulsion systems, leveraging data from the AFA program.
• Instrumentation: NASA can support instrumentation for UAS, with options ranging from self-contained COTS packages to custom-made solutions, depending on the testbed and experiment requirements. Mitigation strategies to protect the testbed are crucial.
• Data Rights: Specific data rights and intellectual property terms are not yet defined, as the acquisition approach is still under consideration. NASA typically seeks a Government-purpose license.

This Q&A document clarifies key aspects of the AFA program, including NASA's objectives, available resources, and processes for participation. It provides essential information for potential bidders to understand requirements and expectations, particularly regarding technical capabilities, risk assessment, and collaboration with NASA and the FAA.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a presentation detailing NASA's "Ideas to Flight" initiative, focusing on various aircraft capabilities and research laboratories. It outlines:

• ARMD Test Data Portal (ATDP): A solution for data silos and poor data management, offering secure CUI data archiving and standardization.
• Dryden Aeronautical Test Range (DATR): Provides resources to support flight research, including tracking systems, video systems, and mission control centers.
• Flights Loads Laboratory (FLL): A national laboratory supporting flight research and structural testing across various flight regimes.
• Simulation Engineering (SIM): Offers scalable configurations and fix-based engineering simulations for vehicle and system design, risk assessment, and mission support.
• Testbed Aircraft: Lists various aircraft used for research, including the F-15 Eagle, Gulfstream III, Mentor T-34C, Hornet F/A-18, Hybrid Quad HQ-90, and others.
• Aircraft Research Envelope: Illustrates the operational envelopes (altitude vs. Mach number) for different aircraft.
• Airborne Science Program: Focuses on providing aircraft systems for Earth science, satellite calibration, sensor development, process studies, and developing future scientists.
• Specific Aircraft Capabilities: Detailed information on ER-2, C-20A (UAVSAR), GIV, GV, F-15, F-18, T-34C, TG-14, GIII, PC-12, B200 King Air, and B737, including their specifications, typical missions, and unique research assets.
• Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Laboratory: Details capabilities in composite fabrication, systems integration, and operational inventory of subscale aircraft.
• Maker Space: Offers rapid prototyping, manufacturing capabilities, and fabrication services.

This document provides potential bidders with an overview of NASA's diverse aircraft research and development capabilities, infrastructure, and specific assets. It highlights the types of research conducted, the platforms used, and the facilities available, which can inform vendors about potential areas for collaboration, subcontracting, or understanding the agency's operational needs and technological focus.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a response form for the Aeronautics Flight Accelerator (AFA) Industry Day. It is designed to gather information from potential U.S.-based respondents regarding their technology concepts, economic viability, and implementation plans for cost-shared maturation leading to flight within three years.

• Technology Concept/Overview: Requires description of a revolutionary approach, system-level performance parameters, key technical objectives, and an optional system diagram.
• Economic: Asks for target market, market size, differentiators, and company location details.
• Implementation: Seeks information on expected investment, cost share percentage, prospective partners, desired NASA collaboration level, prior testing completed, and funding/milestone estimates in a provided table.
• Questions for NASA: A section to list questions for the agency.

This form guides bidders on the specific information NASA is seeking to identify suitable technologies and partners for the AFA program. Completing this form is a crucial step for companies interested in participating in the industry day and potentially responding to a future RFI or solicitation. The response is limited to two pages.