Survival in the air age, a report

United States. President'S Air Policy Commission

Sujets

• Aeronautics
• United States

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• Publié par: les_archives_du_savoir
• Nombre de lectures: 8
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 10 Mo

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SURVIVAL IN THE
AIR AGE
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19481,Washington January
For the Officesale of United States Governmentby Documents, PrintingSuperintendent
-D. C. Price 75 centsWashington 25,LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
DECEMBER
30, 1947.
have theDEAR MR. PRESIDENT: We honor to transmit the onreport
national aviation as directed letter ofpolicy by your July 18, 1947,
the Air Commission.undersigned Policyestablishing
the since the oftheCommissionDuring 5-month period appointment
we have all of aviation with theconsulted on phases best-qualified
Governmentand sources. Themembers oftheCommission areprivate
in unanimous on the conclusionsagreement expressed.
Respectfully,
THOMAS K. Chairman.FINLETTER,
GEORGE P. Vice Chairman.BAKER,
PALMER Member.HOYT,
A. Member.JOHN McCoNE,
ARTHUR D. Member.WHITESIDE,
inLETTER APPOINTING THE COMMISSIONPRESIDENT'S
JULY 18, 1947.
: The of aviation inDEAR MR. developmentrapid
has made of our former out of date. Atrecent years many concepts
there exists a that our national bethe same time, maydanger security
and economic welfare diminished a loweredourjeopardized through
and a failure of aircraft to abreastaircraft theproduction industry keep
with of the ofof modern methods, consequent retarding development
is an need at this time for an evalu-air Theretransportation. urgent
States should follow in order toation of the course which the United
itself and the benefits fromfor the worldobtain, greatest possible
aviation.
recommendation of the Secre-It is for these reasons thethat, upon
Commerce and of the Airtaries of andState,War, Navy, Coordinating
Air CommissionI am a to,Committee, creating temporary Policy
national aviation andmake an intoobjective inquiry policies prob-
an aviationand to assist me in nationallems, formulating integrated
of national needs and ourBecause of ourpolicy. your knowledge
concern for theindustrial as well ascapabilities, your public-spirited
thisnational I ask to serve on Commission.welfare, you
The Air Commission should otherPolicy study, among pertinent
of the such as the current and future needsaspects problem, questions
of American commercial air andaviation, including transportation
the utilization of aircraft the armed the andby services; nature, type,
extent of aircraft and air industries that are desirabletransportation
or essential to our national and methods of encour-welfare;security
needed in the aviation and airaging developments transportation
and and of the Govern-industry; improved organization procedures
ment that will assist it in aviation matters and inhandling efficiently
the interest.publicof the CommissionThe final recommendations must, however, go
one of aviation. should bethe limits of sobeyond any phase They
that will assist in oldbroad in andscope purpose they revising policies
and will serve as a forand in new aframing ones, guide formulating
considered national air policy.carefully
of the of the I the Commission toBecause urgency problem, request
its studies in time to submit its final recommendations to mecomplete
In its the Commission will have the fulli, work,by January 1948.
all of the the Airof Government,cooperation agencies including
which has been detailed studies ofCommittee,Coordinating making
aviation and
policies problems.
the Commission will its own staff andorganize regularAlthough
the of Commerce will staffsecretariat, anySecretary provide special
which be as well as office andassistance needed,may headquarters
services.routine administrative
Sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN.
VIContents
Page
Letter of Transmittal in
President's Letter the Commission vAppointing
Section I. Air Power and the National 1Security
The United and Self-Nations, Disarmament,Foreign Policy,
Defense 3
The of the Commission to a of NationalProgramApproach
Defense 7
TheNew for the Defense ofthe United States . 10Strategic Concept
The of the Air Establishment RecommendationsRequirements
of the Commission 24
The Air Force 24
The Air Arm 27Navy
and Chiefs ofUnification Act the Staff 28Joint
Recommendations of the Commission for Immediate Appro-
for the Air Establishment 31priations
and Commercial Services 36Military Transport
Mobilization 38Planning
Periodic Reviews of the Establishment 39Military
Section II. Aircraft 43Manufacturing Industry
Basic Consideration for National 45Security
The State of the Aircraft 49Manufacturing Industry
-Patent Cross 50Licensing
of the 51Composition Industry
Facilities and 53Output
Financial Condition 54
55Backlogs
55Capacity
Civil Aircraft Production 56
58Helicopters
58Lighter-Than-Air
Power Plants 58
Instruments and Other Aircraft 58Equipment
of and 58Aircraft,Exports Engines,
Recommendations 59
60Long-Range Planning
Forward Contract Authorization 60
Industrial Mobilization 61Planning
VIIII. Aircraft ContinuedSection PageManufacturing Industry
ContinuedRecommendations
Mobilization 63Authority
Materials 63Strategic
PoliciesProcurement 64
and 64Design Development
64Producibility
ProductionLow-Cost 64
65Expansibility
and Production 65ContinuityDesign, Development,
66Accessory Development
66
Legislation
H. R. Armed Services Procurement Act 661366.
H. R. Vinson-Trammell 665031. Repealer
Plant 67Dispersion
Plant Reserve 68
Machine Tool Reserve 68
Contract Overhaul 68
of AircraftFederal Personal 69Regulation
Assistance 69Export
Conclusion 70
III. Research andSection Aeronautical 71Development
73Summary
International 74Competition
Status of the United States Aeronautical Research and Develop-
ment 75
Areas for Continued Research 80Suggested
Atomic 80
Propulsion
Electronics 80
Guided Missiles 82
84Helicopters
84Lighter-Than-Air
Personal Aircraft 85
Power Plants 86
86Transport Equipment
Recommendations Research 88Policy
88Budgetary Policy
Coordination of Research Effort 91
of 92Continuity Programs
New Facilities 93
Personnel. . 94
VIII