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.
NASA and Northrop Grumman have collected the largest set of sonic boom data recorded in 20 years as part of an effort to develop quieter supersonic aircraft, NASA announced March 9. The 21 data collection flights used a modified F-5E aircraft flying at speeds from Mach 1.35 to 1.4, and altitudes from 32,000 to 34,000 feet. The flights took place in January and February, according to NASA spokesman Gray Creech.
To draw attention to its systems integration work and distinguish itself from higher profile competitors such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Raytheon is touting itself as a "platform agnostic" integrator of network-centric warfare systems. Because Raytheon is not in the business of building and marketing military vehicles such as aircraft, it can "step back" to take a broader view of systems integration, according to Jay Humphlett, director of strategy and business development for Raytheon's Unmanned and Reconnaissance Systems division.
The U.S. Navy's H-1 helicopter upgrade program is strengthening the tail booms on its five test aircraft to protect them against the hotter exhaust coming from their upgraded engines, according to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
