Funds for NASA ATP supprt efforts. A) develop a flight test capability analysis framework for the aeronautics test program (ATP). This framework shall provide a top-level view of the suite of flight…

Funds for NASA ATP supprt efforts. A) develop a flight test capability analysis framework for the aeronautics test program (ATP). This framework shall provide a top-level view of the suite of flight test capabilities that ATP oversees and supports as well as those that are located at other NASA research centers. ATP will use this framework as a decision-making tool this view shall inform ATP decision making about what NASA and other flight test capabilities and resources will be required to serve present and future NASA and national flight test needs, life-cycle cost information, capability assessment and evaluation criteria and other supporting data. This analysis framework shall integrate a number of results from measures and assessments to allow ATP and NASA to quickly identify areas of potential concern such as gaps in capabilities as well as redundancies and potential consolidation opportunities. B) redundancies and consolidation assessment - having multiple flight test capabilities can improve the robustness of the nation s aeronautics testing capabilities, but when those assets and capabilities are competing for the same business, IT can also result in multiple under-funded assets that are unable to properly maintain and improve their capabilities. Populate the flight test capability analysis framework to evaluate the full suite of NASA flight test capabilities and the extent of excess capacity and redundancies that may exist between the flight test assets within the ATP portfolio and those of other NASA research centers (ames, glenn and langley). Catalog this overlap to inform analysis and decision frameworks and reliance models. Determine and document a cost/benefit analysis to substantiate whether any o & m cost reductions are feasible by consolidation of flight research and related assets. ATP will provide access to existing documentation including the most recent NASA aircraft inventory records and access to the NASA research centers so that the completed framework will be populated with the most up-to date information on the NASA flight test assets. C) based on the framework developed above, conduct a study to determine if NASA should develop a stronger customer focus by providing flight research vehicles and assets to commercial entities for training and testing. Consider the proximity of edwards air force base and the collaborative military work currently conducted between edwards and dfrc. If warranted, develop a plan and justification for improving the customer-focused approach for flight research and identify any potential new partnership opportunities. Examine external models such as germany s DLR or canada s national research council institute for aerospace research to determine if any merit exists for NASA, and if so, how to transform fight research to a more customer oriented position.