National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Contributions

NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS (NACA) CONTRIBUTIONS
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The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was established in 1915. Their key role was to monitor and guide the scientific study of flight problems and provide a practical solution to issues occurring. For the next quarter-century, NACA became the world’s premier aeronautical research organization comprising of 500 employees until expansion during WWII. As demand during war ensued, NACA grew from one to three research facilities, peaking at 6,077 employees and accumulating a budget of $41 million by 1945. These times created a unique partnership between the military and NACA, resulting in improvements to aircraft speed, range, maneuverability, and the positive direction of the war for us and our allies.
Between 1938 and 1940, research was conducted at Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory and later Ames laboratory. The motive at these two sites was to improve the airflow of drag resistance on aircraft. By utilizing a Full-Scale wind tunnel, NACA recommended the manufacturer to enhance problems best quickly and inexpensively. Through the constant test of prototypes for the military, NACA made aircraft more “aerodynamically smooth.” After being approached by Army general Hap Arnold, one said the plane, the P-39 Airacobra improved upon. The army needed an aircraft that would reach 400 mph, and the P-39 laid the groundwork for this to happen to start at a max speed of 340 mph and increase to 392 mph after undergoing two months of drag clean up research. Though short from the goal, these advances in speed were also applied to the P-51 Mustang, “the Cadillac of the skies,” and other fighter planes to give us pilots an advantage over the Germans in a dog fight. Throughout the war, 23 aircraft were improved after undergoing “drag cle...