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.
NEW DELHI — Industry observers are wondering what effect India’s recent decision to suspend its purchase of six aerial refuelers may have on future defense procurements such as the 126-aircraft Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal. India’s tender for six aerial refuelers went out for the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and the Ilyushin IL-78. The IL-78, the lower-cost option, was rejected on the grounds that the proposal was incomplete since it had failed to quote for five extra engines and life-cycle costs.
PEACEFUL PURPOSE: One of two NASA-owned Global Hawk unmanned aircraft had its first flight under agency operation Oct. 23. The former military aircraft, to be used for Earth system science research, flew four hours during a functional check flight in restricted airspace over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The first Earth science mission for the aircraft will be the Global Hawk Pacific campaign, or GloPac, to be carried out in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Thales Alenia Space executives say they see limited commercial interest to date in active telecom antennas such as one being developed for Hispasat AG1, planned to go into orbit in 2012 as the first application of the European Space Agency’s SmallGeo telecom satellite program. However, they anticipate considerable demand from military users, for whom heightened flexibility and security can largely offset lower antenna efficiency.
