[3] A specification was written and a contract was awarded to Computer Sciences Corporation for the development of NAsa STRuctural ANalysis (NASTRAN) software.

In the late 1960s, Finite Element Analysis software was confined to running on expensive mainframe computers, and highly trained specialists were needed to apply the program.

In this environment, the aerospace industry was the typical user because they had critical projects which could justify the resources FEA demanded.

The new code had a number of changes in architecture and programming language compared to legacy Nastran written originally for mainframes.

It incorporates over 85 customer-driven enhancements, including the following additions: nonlinear composite Progressive Ply Failure Analysis (PPFA), concrete material model, direct enforced motion, bolt preload, enhanced rigid element features, visualization support for various entities, automatic dynamic plots during nonlinear analysis, transparent max/min, and a new look and feel for its Editor tool.