NASA Selects Six Partners for Aerospace Composites R&D

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The Hybrid Wing Body H-Series future aircraft design concept comes from the research team led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The H Series is among the designs presented in April 2010 to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate for its NASA Research Announcement-funded studies into advanced aircraft that could enter service in the 2030-2035 timeframe. Photo via NASA
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A concept drawing of a high efficiency hybrid powered ‘SUGAR Volt’. The design features long wings made of lightweight composites, that increase lift and decrease drag. The wings of SUGAR Volt would enable it to take off in a shorter distance and generate less noise. The wings would be hinged so they could be folded on the ground to save space.Photo via NASA

NASA has selected six US aerospace primes to participate in a government-and-industry partnership to advance composite materials research and certification. In a statement announcing the selection NASA said the six firms were chosen for their technical expertise, willingness and ability to share in costs, certification experience with government agencies, focused technology areas and partnership histories. The companies selected are:

  • Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas
  • GE Aviation of Cincinnati
  • Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company of Palmdale, Calif.
  • Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems of Redondo Beach, Calif.
  • Boeing Research & Technology of St. Louis
  • United Technologies Corporation and subsidiary Pratt & Whitney of Hartford, Conn.
The Hybrid Wing Body H-Series future aircraft design concept comes from the research team led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The H Series is among the designs presented in April 2010 to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate for its NASA Research Announcement-funded studies into advanced aircraft that could enter service in the 2030-2035 timeframe. Photo via NASA
The Hybrid Wing Body H-Series future aircraft design concept comes from the research team led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The H Series is among the designs presented in April 2010 to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate for its NASA Research Announcement-funded studies into advanced aircraft that could enter service in the 2030-2035 timeframe. Photo via NASA

These companies were selected from 20 proposals submitted by teams from industry and academia in response to a call from the Advanced Composites Project, which is part of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate’s Integrated Systems Research Program. The project sought proposals to reduce the time for development, verification and regulatory acceptance of new composite materials and structures.

The first task for the partners is to develop articles of collaboration and establish how the alliance will work and how companies may be added in the future.

nasa_compositesNASA Composite Structures & Materials

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