Development Planning

Development Planning general Sec. 312. (a) The Administrator is directed to make long range plans for and formulate policy with respect to the orderly development and use of the navigable airspace, and the orderly development and location of landing areas, Federal airways, radar installations and all other aids and facilities for air navigation, as will best meet the needs of, and serve the interest of civil aeronautics and national defense, except for those needs of military agencies which are peculiar to air warfare and primarily of military concern. aircraft (b) The Administrator is empowered to undertake or supervise such developmental work and service testing as tends to the creation of improved aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances. For such purpose, the Administrator is empowered to make purchases (including exchange) by negotiation, or otherwise, of experimental aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances, which seem to offer special advantages to aeronautics. research and development (c) The Administrator shall develop, modify, test, and evaluate systems, procedures, facilities, and devices, as well as define the performance characteristics thereof, to meet the needs for safe and efficient navigation and traffic control of all civil and military aviation except for those needs of military agencies which are peculiar to air warfare and primarily of military concern, and select such systems, procedures, facilities, and devices as will best serve such needs and will promote maximum coordination of air traffic control and air defense systems. Contracts may be entered into for this purpose without regard to section 3643 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (31 U. S. C. 529). When there is any substantial question as to whether a matter is of primary concern to the military, the Administrator is authorized and directed to determine whether he or the appropriate military agency shall have responsibility. Technical information concerning any research and development projects of the military agencies which have potential application to the needs of, or possible conflict with, the common system shall be furnished to the Administrator to the maximum extent necessary to insure that common system application potential is properly considered and potential future conflicts with the common system are eliminated.