Read the bill text as introduced [here].

Representative Steve Knight, CA-25, introduced a bill on Tuesday that presents a roadmap for the study, design and manufacturing of advanced aircraft.

H.R. 5466, the Aeronautics Innovation Act, lays out a comprehensive roadmap for American aerospace with the goal of developing aeronautics programs that can face the challenges of the 21st century. There are currently a handful of government projects and initiatives that support aeronautics research and development, but a lack of coordination and funding inhibits their potential. Rep. Knight believes that the Aeronautics Innovation Act would address this problem by establishing long-term goals, promoting interagency cooperation, and directing Congress to commit to funding the necessary programs

“Aeronautics is the first ‘A’ in NASA. It sustains our military dominance and fuels the next great leaps in the civil air transportation system on which all Americans rely,” said Knight. “This bill would be a step toward ensuring continued success in this field by giving our aeronautics research and development the policy continuity and budget stability necessary to achieve national goals.”

Knight’s measure begins by declaring that we are entering an era of new and extensive challenges to U.S. air dominance, then goes on to formulate a plan for creating new national aeronautics programs that can secure our commercial and military aviation leadership. This includes the establishment of five full-scale experimental plane and systems programs (often called the X- program), elevating efforts to coordinate and strengthen hypersonics programs across the Federal Government, and establishing an investment fund to upgrade and create new facilities to ensure NASA has the capability to pursue a path to flight for each of the Act’s proposed demonstration projects. Rep. Knight believes that the initiatives in the bill would pave the way for significant expansion of high-tech jobs, especially for areas already engaged in aerospace design and manufacturing like Southern California.

“The Aeronautics Innovation Act is a roadmap to restoring American aeronautics to its full potential, which is crucial for our national defense and economic growth,” continued Knight. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, with the relevant agencies, and with our partners in the private sector to make this vision a reality.”

The Aeronautics Innovation Act was introduced Tuesday after Knight discussed its importance at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) AVIATION Forum in Washington, D.C. The bill now awaits assignment to committee.