The objectives of the study are to: 

(1) Identify a small number of revolutionary or breakthrough technologies that can be critical to the 20-25 year future of aeronautics, based primarily on the areas of need and opportunity that were identified in the Phase I study. The identified technologies can be expected to represent high risk, but potentially very high payoff investments. Technologies with potential military, as well as civil, applications may be considered if they are appropriate potential components of NASA's advanced basic R&D program.

(2) Assess how these concepts and technologies can address the multiple needs that were identified in Phase I. 

(3) Examine the long-term aeronautics R&D goals that NASA has developed and comment on whether they are consistent with the findings and recommendations of this study and whether they are likely to be achievable, either through evolutionary steps in technology or through the identification and application of breakthrough ideas, concepts, and technologies.