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.
Once again, a problem discovered on the launch pad has caused International Launch Services (ILS) to postpone the launch of SES Americom's AMC-9 satellite on a Proton K rocket. During routine prelaunch verification at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan May 17, technicians discovered a problem with one of the rocket's gyro units. Replacing the gyro will require the rocket to be de-stacked, according to ILS spokeswoman Fran Slimmer. The company hopes to reschedule the launch for early June, she said.
Legislation intended to improve the safety of helicopter operations in the Gulf of Mexico has cleared the House Transportation Committee's aviation subcommittee and is scheduled to be marked up by the full committee on May 21.
In its latest Broad Area Announcement (BAA) calling for technologies to combat terrorism, the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) spells out its requirements for systems to protect commercial airliners from shoulder-fired missiles. In the May 14 BAA, TSWG asks for "technologies that will support the defeat of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) targeted against commercial and private aircraft during take-off and landing operations."
