Federal Aviation Administration

National Aviation Research Plan (NARP)

Updated: 5:50 am ET April 1, 2009

The National Aviation Research Plan (NARP) is an integrated, performance-based plan for the FAA Research and Development (R&D) program that supports both the day-to-day operation of the national air transportation system and the future vision of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The NARP provides the R&D strategy and explains how the R&D program supports the near-term goals of the Flight Plan with the long-term goals of the NextGen Implementation Plan and Joint Program Development Office (JPDO).

The core program includes R&D in the areas of safety, airports, air traffic, environment, and commercial space transportation. The NextGen R&D program focuses on increasing capacity by three times current levels and, especially, on providing the safety and environmental solutions that will enable this increased capacity. JDPO focuses on longer-term NextGen operational improvements being addressed by other agencies. The time-phasing of research needs is aligned with the NAS enterprise architecture and avionics roadmaps.

U.S. Code, Title 49, section 44501c requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to submit the National Aviation Research Plan (NARP) to Congress annually with the President’s budget.

5:50 am ET April 1, 2009