NASA seeks green aircraft proposals

WASHINGTON, June 2 (UPI) -- NASA officials say they are soliciting proposals for studies designed to identify advanced vehicle concepts and enabling technologies.

The proposal solicitation for commercial airliners to fly more economically, quieter and cleaner by 2025 is the first of several expected under NASA's "Research Opportunities in Aeronautics" announcement for 2010, released Wednesday.

The total potential value of the research contracts is $36.6 million, and proposals are due by July 15. Officials will select up to four teams for 12-month studies beginning in fiscal 2011. The studies are part of a U.S. government air traffic modernization effort that includes NASA.

"The concepts must incorporate technologies enabling large, twin-aisle passenger aircraft to achieve ambitious environmental goals," NASA officials said. "Goals include 50 percent less fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions compared with today's airliners and an approximately 80 percent reduction in the nuisance noise footprint around airports."