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The Competitive Status of the U.S. Civil Aviation Manufacturing Industry A Study of the Influences of Technology in Determining International Industrial Competitive Advantage (1985) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 135-138

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From page 135...
... is the focal agency for government support of aeronautical technology. The act creating NASA charged it with "preserving the role of the United States as a leader in aeronautical science and technology...."5 Its responsibilities covered both civil and military applications.
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From page 136...
... The panel recommends reexamination of the research and technol~ ~ NASA in the light of the changing competitive environment and the technical of = _ As can be seen in Table 5-3, aeronautical R&D represents approximately 5 percent of total R&D. Considering the importance of civil aircraft manufacture to economic health, societal good, and the balance of payments, there would seem to be reason to reexamine priorities and levels of expenditures.
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From page 137...
... Industrial firms lack the resources to undertake expensive, long-term, and uncertain work of this nature; they have no public franchise that would legitimize their undertaking it; and no standards have been established to satisfy public opinion in an area where questions of safety are central. NASA has traditionally carried out the early phases of basic and applied research, while aircraft manufacturers have assumed responsibility for incorporating new technology into designs and obtaining certification.
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From page 138...
... An expansion of NASA's activities into technology validation and evaluation of composite materials should include mechanisms to insure that areas selected for additional effort are relevant to the needs of industry and that the results will be of such a nature that they can be applied with confidence. One possible mechanism for ensuring relevance involves joint industry-government program definition.
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Key Terms

  • composite materials
  • civil aircraft
  • aircraft manufacture
  • aircraft manufacturers
  • international competition

  • turbofan engine
  • significant advances
  • primary structure
  • obtaining certification
  • aeronautical technology

  • military applications
  • technology validation
  • civil applications
  • competitive environment
  • turbine engine


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