Jeff has been involved in aerospace journalism since the mid 1990s. Prior to joining Aviation Week, Jeff served as managing editor of Launchspace magazine and the International Space Industry Report. He has been the editor and chief of Aviation Week's Aerospace Daily & Defense Report since 2007 and has been a regular contributor to Aviation Week magazine. He received his B.A. from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
BEAM CONTROL: Boeing has completed the preliminary design of a rugged beam control system for the U.S. Army’s High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) program, the company announced July 21. Under the Phase I HEL TD contract, Boeing and rival Northrop Grumman are designing a beam control system for a truck-mounted solid-stage laser weapon capable of countering rocket, artillery and mortar projectiles.
The U.S. Justice Department has closed an investigation of Orbital Sciences Corp. related to its work on U.S. government launch vehicle programs without filing any charges against the company or its staff, Orbital announced July 17. The investigation prompted federal and DOD investigators to search company facilities in Arizona in 2005 (Aerospace DAILY, May 31, 2005).
A National Research Council (NRC) panel is recommending NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) consider orbiting a microwave radiometer to cover an anticipated climate data gap before the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) comes online.
