The NextGen Airspace Project develops and explores fundamental concepts and integrated solutions that address the optimal allocation of ground and air automation technologies necessary for next generation air transportation system (NextGen).

The Project will focus NASA’s technical expertise

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and world-class facilities to address the question of where, when, how and the extent to which automation can be applied to moving aircraft safely and efficiently through the National Airspace System (NAS).

Research in this Project will address 4D Trajectory Operations, including advances in the C-34 science and applications of multi-aircraft trajectory optimization that solves the demand/capacity imbalance problem while taking into account weather information and forecast uncertainties and while keeping aircraft safely separated.

The Project’s research will develop and test concepts for advanced traffic flow management to provide trajectory planning and execution across the spectrum of time horizons from “strategic planning” to “separation assurance.” Ultimately, the roles and responsibilities of humans and automation influence every technical area and will be addressed.

The NextGen Airspace Project team has developed a plan that will integrate solutions for a safe, efficient and high-capacity airspace system through joint research efforts and partnerships with other government agencies.

In addition to core research and development to be conducted by NASA, Space Act Agreements will be established with U. S. industry to address research partnerships at the system-wide level including systems integration and operational applications.

The Project will utilize this NASA Research Announcement (NRA) to leverage in-house foundational research with academic institutions, non-profit organizations and industry performing foundational research to address technology gaps.

This current solicitation seeks proposals related to the following NextGen Airspace Project research focus areas:
System-Level Design, Analysis, and Simulation Tools (SLDAST).

SLDAST will develop system design and analysis tools to assess the functional/temporal distribution of authority and responsibility among/between automation and humans.

Solicitations for other research focus areas will be posted in future announcements.

Milestone references for Subtopics in this section of the NRA are provided below under the heading ”Milestones Supported” so that it is possible to see how the NRA topics fit into the NASA Aeronautics research plan.

These milestones are listed on project roadmaps that are available on the ARMD website (www.aeronautics.nasa.gov, under the Programs link).