Company Will Collect Wake Vortex Data For Modeling

NASA has selected Northwest Research Associates, Inc., for a contract award in support of the NASA Airspace Systems Program's Concepts and Technology Development project at NASA Langley's Aeronautics Research Directorate. The Redmond, WA-based Northwest Research Associates was awarded the contract after a competitive selection, and will be responsible for "Wake Vortex Data Collection for Robust Modeling Validation to Enable Advanced, NextGen, Wake-Conscious, Capacity-Enhancing Concepts."

Their work will help advance NASA's understanding of aircraft wake vortices by characterizing sensors for data collection, planning data collection activities, collecting wake vortex and meteorological data and assessing and improving wake vortex models. The contract period of performance is four years with a total value of $6,000,748.

The Concepts and Technology Development Project develops and explores fundamental concepts and integrated solutions that address the optimal allocation of ground and air automation technologies necessary for the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen.

FMI: www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/asp/airspace/index.htm