Northwest Research Associates has secured a four-year contract to support Nasa Airspace Systems Program’s concepts and technology development project at Nasa Langley’s Aeronautics Research Directorate with a total value of approximately $6m.

Under the contract, Northwest Research Associates will be responsible for wake vortex data collection for robust modelling validation to enable advanced, NextGen, wake-conscious, capacity-enhancing concepts.

The 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.

The work will enable Nasa to understand aircraft wake vortices by characterising sensors for data collection, planning data collection activities, collecting wake vortex and meteorological data and assessing and improving wake vortex models.