Request for Information (RFI) for NASA ARMD Aeronautics Flight Accelerator

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
Aeronautics Flight Accelerator (AFA)
RFI Release Date: April 7, 2026
Responses Due: May 7, 2026, 1:00PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Reference: NASA ARMD Aeronautics Flight Accelerator

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) is seeking information from U.S. industry, academia, and government organizations regarding potential partnerships for research, development, and flight testing under the Aeronautics Flight Accelerator (AFA) initiative. NASA is requesting input on technologies, concepts, and flight test campaigns suitable for cost shared maturation leading to flight within the next three years. Areas of interest span subsonic (including vertical lift), supersonic, and hypersonic flight technologies.

AFA aims to accelerate U.S. competitiveness by promoting rapid, cost-effective flight experimentation; strengthening the U.S. aerospace industrial base; enabling domestic manufacturing and job creation; inspiring the Nation and capturing the public’s imagination as only flight (and NASA) can.  NASA intends to use responses to help shape a potential competitive solicitation for cost shared projects to fly as early as FY26 and no later than FY28. This RFI is for planning only and does not constitute a commitment by the Government.

For more than 70 years, NASA has advanced American aerospace leadership through flight research, X-planes, and experimental testbeds. Many emerging aeronautics technologies require flight validation to progress toward operational transition. The AFA initiative seeks to shorten the path from concept to flight by integrating NASA capabilities with contributions from small and large businesses, academia, and other government agencies.

The initiative encourages rapid, flight focused maturation of technologies including, but not limited to, propulsion, airframe concepts, integrated systems, power systems, GNC, avionics, sensors, advanced instrumentation, materials, autonomy, airspace operations, and communication technologies across all flight regimes.

Benefits of AFA include:
• Accelerated development and validation of innovative aeronautics technologies
• Increased use of risk tolerant flight testing
• Leveraging NASA capabilities and prior investments
• Expanding access to NASA expertise and facilities
• Advancing ARMD’s four transformations

• Pioneer High Speed Flight
• Automate Airspace and Safety Management
• Transform Airframes and Propulsion
• Revolutionize Aerospace Engineering Methods

NASA is considering funded Space Act Agreements, SBIR/STTR Phase III, and similar partnership mechanisms. Respondents should assume some level of cost share as part of a future partnership; NASA’s contribution may include in kind resources such as expertise and flight assets. Projects should incorporate adequate ground testing and integration planning to ensure readiness for flight. Subscale demonstrations and multiple spirals are acceptable. Flight testing should begin no later than the third year of effort.

Participation is limited to U.S.-based respondents. NASA requests input on the following topics:

1. Technology/Concept Overview
NASA is seeking revolutionary, rather than evolutionary, technologies and concepts that enable major leaps in capability.  Describe the proposed technology or concept and how NASA involvement supports maturation

2. Market
a. Describe the target market and estimated total market size
b. Identify differentiators relative to current solutions.
c. Provide estimate of intended product introduction timeline and how NASA’s partnership will aid in achievement of this timeline.

3. Mission and Operational Objectives
a. Identify system level performance parameters (design range, speed, payload, altitude) or subsystem operational requirements.
b. Identify airport/vertiport and vehicle requirements, energy/fuel compatibility, and runway/landing pad needs.
c. For subscale demos, provide demonstration scale parameters based on full-scale analysis/ requirements.

4. Technical Objectives
a. Identify key technical objectives.
b. Provide a top-level system diagram (5–10 subsystems).
c. Identify key performance parameters (<10).
d. Provide current and expected TRLs for key subsystems.
e. Identify integration or technical challenges.
f. Identify relevant FAA certification barriers.

5. U.S. Economic Benefits
a. Identify headquarters, research, and manufacturing locations

b. Describe how this project supports U.S. technical and workforce competitiveness.

c. Describe national benefits from an economic, mobility, or dual-use perspective. (aero – space, civil – military).

6. NASA Collaboration Requirements
a. Describe expected division of development, integration, and testing responsibilities.

b. Identify desired NASA support, including:
– Indemnification
– Regulatory compliance support
– SME technical collaboration
– Access to ground test facilities
– Flight test vehicles and support assets
– Airworthiness approvals
– Communications networks
– Coordination with other agencies
– Any other needed support

7. Airworthiness, Flight, and Safety Oversight
Do you plan on using NASA, the FAA, or the DOD for your airworthiness and flight approval process?  What organization do you propose to conduct your safety oversight?

8. Applications and Transition
Describe anticipated technical, programmatic, regulatory, and supply-chain benefits. Identify commercial, operational, and governmental applications and how a NASA flight demo would support transition.

9. Experience and Capabilities
Describe relevant past performance and current capabilities to be used in development and testing of the proposed technology.

10. Procurement Mechanism Preferences
Provide perceived advantages/disadvantages of Funded Space Act Agreements (FSAA) or other partnering mechanisms.  Describe any procurement or contractual challenges and features that would improve participation.

11. Data Rights and Intellectual Property
Identify required protections and willingness to participate in data (e.g. model, specs, test, etc..) sharing as public, internal use, confidential, or restricted.

12. Level of Interest, Partnership and Investment
Provide expected investment magnitude, cost share percentage, prospective partners and partnership interest level, and any factors that may deter proposal submission.

Response Requirements

• Single spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, 8.5 × 11-inch pages
• Charts/tables may use 8-point font.
• Maximum length: 8 pages
• Submit electronically in PDF format.
• Email submissions to: Jenni Schnarr — jennifer.schnarr@nasa.gov by May 7, 2026, 1:00PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Subject Line: “AFA RFI Response – [Organization Name]”

Do not submit confidential, proprietary, or export controlled (including ITAR/EAR) information. Proprietary information, if included, must be clearly marked.

This RFI does not constitute a solicitation or commitment by NASA. NASA will not pay for information provided. If a solicitation is released, it will appear on www.sam.gov, and respondents will be responsible for monitoring for updates.