AERONAUTICAL RESEARCH AND TEST CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT.

SEC. 265. AERONAUTICAL RESEARCH AND TEST CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT. (a) Findings.— Congress finds the following: (1) It is in the Nation’s long-term national security interests for the United States to maintain preeminence in the area of aeronautical research and test capabilities. (2) Continued advances in aeronautical science and engineering are critical to sustaining the strategic and tactical air superiority of the United States and coalition forces, as well as United States economic security and international aerospace leadership. (3) It is in the national security and economic interests of the United States and the budgetary interests of the Department of Defense for the department to encourage the establishment of active partnerships between the department and other Government agencies, academic institutions, and private industry to develop, maintain, and enhance aeronautical research and test capabilities. (b) Review.— The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a comprehensive review of the aeronautical research and test facilities and capabilities of the United States in order to assess the current condition of such facilities and capabilities. 110 STAT. 238 (c) Report.— (1) Not later than March 1, 1996, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth in detail the findings of the review required by subsection (b). (2) The report shall include the following: (A) The options for providing affordable, operable, reliable, and responsive long-term aeronautical research and test capabilities for military and civilian purposes and for the organization and conduct of such capabilities within the Department or through shared operations with other Government agencies, academic institutions, and private industry. (B) The projected costs of such options, including costs of acquisition and technical and financial arrangements (including the use of Government facilities for reimbursable private use). (C) Recommendations on the most efficient and economic means of developing, maintaining, and continually modernizing aeronautical research and test capabilities to meet current, planned, and prospective military and civilian needs.