National Aeronautical Facilities Program: Issues Related to Its Cost and Need

In fiscal year 1977 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requested about $25 million to start acquisition of the National Transonic Facility, and the Department of the Air Force requested about $437 million for the Aeropropulsion System Test Facility. The Department of Defense (DOD) and NASA requested these facilities for the National Aeronautical Facilities program in order that U.S. manufacturers may develop superior civilian and military aircraft that will be competitive with foreign aircraft.