Airframe Systems: Research and Technology Base Program

The author argues that the aeronautics research and technology base has shifted from a discipline focus to a program focus. The program planning is progressing as Level I is complete and Level II plans are under development, while there is significant inter-center planning and coordination taking place. These programs are addressing problems that are important to the nation namely, "the three pillars to success" which are; access to space, global civil aviation and revolutionary technology leaps.