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.
RADAR PROTOTYPE: The prototype radar for Lockheed Martin’s Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 counter-fire target acquisition (EQ-36) radar has completed performance testing in 360-degree counter-fire mode against mortars and rockets at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona, the company announced April 9. The prototype was developed by Syracuse Research Corporation. During the testing, which was conducted in November and December, the prototype located the firing positions of both rocket and mortar launchers in 360-degree mode.
THIRD BIRD: SES Americom and Orbital Sciences Corporation announced April 8 the order of a third spacecraft under the multi-satellite contract both companies announced in May 2007. The first and second satellites ordered under the contract were AMC-5R and a ground spare. The spare will now become AMC-1R, and a new ground spare will be produced for future use. Planned for launch in the second half of 2009, AMC-1R will reside in geosynchronous Earth orbit at 103 degrees West longitude.
AIR FORCE Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. of Littleton, Colo., is being awarded a modified firm fixed price contract for $124,100,000. This modification is issued to purchase launch services from Lockheed Martin Co. under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program and Atlas medium-plus rocket (Atlas 5510 to launch the Mobile Users Objective System (MUOS)-1 Satellite. At this time $124,100,000 has been obligated. El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8816-06-C-0004, Modification Number P00002). NAVY
