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.
Employee attrition is up slightly among Boeing's space shuttle work force following the late August loss of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) prime contract, although the company has not yet had any employees move directly over to Lockheed Martin's winning CEV team, according to Boeing Space Shuttle Program Manager Steve Oswald.
Boeing Space Shuttle Program Manager Steve Oswald says he's not concerned about the "Y2K-ish" problem with the orbiter's computer clocks that might occur during any mission that extended over New Year's Day. Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to launch on the 11-day STS-116 mission some time between Dec. 6 and Dec. 17, which means it should be returning before Jan. 1. However, if the mission launches toward the end of its window and then experiences a delay in orbit, it could be in space for New Year's.
Lockheed Martin is ramping up to begin work on a 20-year contract for pilot training with the Royal Singapore Air Force (RSAF) that will see the company delivering simulators, courseware, flight instructors and PC-21 turboprop trainer aircraft. Lockheed Martin would not disclose the total value of the contract win, which was announced Nov. 3. The company will spend the next eight months conducting a training needs analysis with the RSAF to fully flesh out its requirements.
