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.
Proposed cuts in NASA's fiscal 2006 aeronautics budget could lead to a serious erosion of U.S. economic and national security, witnesses told House lawmakers on March 16. Over the past decade, funding for aeronautics research at NASA has declined by more than half, to about $900 million a year. For FY '06, the agency is requesting $852.3 million, $54 million less than the FY '05 budget. This level would decline another 20% over the next five years under current plans, as NASA diverts personnel and resources to fulfill its space exploration goals.
The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman are coming to terms with cost growth in the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program that has occurred during the transition to the larger RQ-4B model, according to Northrop Grumman officials.
At an industry day in Washington, NASA revealed details of the systems engineering and integration (SE&I) contractor that will help pull together all the technologies being developed in support of the agency's space exploration plans. NASA is leaning toward a hybrid model for the SE&I team, which would incorporate government and industry personnel (DAILY, Jan. 4). "We're looking at a combination of industry, NASA, and an FFRDC [Federally Funded Research and Development Center]," Doug Cooke, SE&I deputy associate administrator, said March 11.
