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Goals For a National Partnership in
Aeronautics Research And Technology
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
U.S. firms and workers lead the world in manufacturing aircraft, engines, avionics, and air transportation system
equipment. In the process, they are making a major contribution to our nation's security and economy. Aeronautics
manufacturing provides military power, high technology, high-quality jobs, and makes a positive contribution to the
U.S. balance of trade and the general prosperity of all American citizens. American leadership in aeronautics also
provides global benefits through the economic and cultural exchange and integration made possible by a truly
global transportation system.
The growth in this industry, since the infancy of powered flight, has been the result of a strong partnership between
the government, industry, and universities. Government investment in aeronautics has been focused on science,
technology, infrastructure and military aviation. This investment, worked in close partnership with industry,
provided the conditions for industry success in aeronautics.
Today, however, the aeronautics industry is facing a number of difficult, new challenges. First, the end of the Cold
War has permitted a reduction in defense expenditures, including significant cut backs in the development of new
aircraft and engines. Second, the weak financial state of the global airline industry has seriously affected orders,
backlogs, and deliveries of new civil aircraft. Third, foreign governments have strongly supported the development
of their own aeronautics industries through major investments in infrastructure, technology and development
programs, challenging U.S. competitiveness in this industry.
Although the combination of these factors has had a significant impact on the aeronautics industry, the United States
is still the leader in aeronautics technology and manufacturing. We must maintain leadership in this global industry
if we are to retain the national security and economic benefits that derive from aeronautics. Nationally, we have the
infrastructure -government, industry, and universities - to maintain leadership. We must now renew our focus on
partnership to meet national challenges and accomplish national goals. However, we must also reexamine our
traditional partnership in the context of the current and future challenges. Clearly, we must develop an integrated
view of aviation system performance and affordability.
Together, we must take action -- action that will ensure that the United
States maintains a strong and competitive
aeronautics manufacturing industry. This document provides a framework for a government, industry, and
university partnership in aeronautics research and technology (R&T) development. Working together, the
Administration, industry, and universities have identified three key goals that define this partnership and which will
help the U.S. aeronautics industry maintain its global competitiveness:
- Maintain the superiority of U.S. aircraft and engines
- Improve the safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness of the global air transportation system
- Ensure the long-term environmental compatibility of the aviation system
Over the next several months, NSTC, in partnership with industry and academia, will perform a national assessment
to guide the direction and character of the Federal investment in U.S. civil aviation technology for the future. The
assessment will include development of top-level technical goals, roadmaps to achieve the goals, partnership
mechanisms, and analyses of benefits, priorities, opportunity costs, roles and responsibilities, and interrelationships
with other national initiatives.
This document, together with the detailed national assessment, will provide the blueprint for our public-private
partnership for the future, as well as communicate with the American people and the Congress our proposed
investment portfolio. The NSTC welcomes comments and participation in the planning process as we move to
ensure the technology base and infrastructure for a vital aviation industry and transportation system.
Go to I. Context
for A Renewed Partnership
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