Many of the significant advances in aircraft and rocket propulsion have been enabled by improvements in materials. Since the early 1990s, domestic materials development has steadily declined, resulting in the growing likelihood that the US will lose its military aerospace advantage. This report recommends ways to improve DoD materials development activities to ensure that they meet anticipated needs.

Various combinations of commercially available technologies could greatly reduce fuel consumption in passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and other light-duty vehicles without compromising vehicle performance or safety. This report estimates the potential fuel savings and costs to consumers of available technology combinations for spark-ignition gasoline, compression-ignition diesel, and hybrid engines.