Aviation is changing – from emerging UAS operations to Urban Air Mobility which is next on the horizon; to the re-emergence of supersonic transportation that will once again shrink our globe; to alternative fuels and electric propulsion for a greener future, aviation is on the move. Research, convergence, and entrepreneurialism is the driver for this exciting and impactful change.

The NASA Aeronautics portfolio is tuned to deliver key enablers for this change. But NASA Aeronautics must also evolve to be more flexible and agile as change inevitably brings issues and opportunities that cannot be fully anticipated.

Mr Pearce discusses the future of aviation, NASA’s research portfolio, and the challenges our research enterprises must face to remain relevant into the future.