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.
The Tactical Control System (TCS) conducted its first launch and recovery of a Shadow 600 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona Nov. 7, achieving what is known as level five flight control. TCS is designed to provide command and control for several types of UAVs and their sensor payloads from a single ground station. The intended UAVs include the Vertical Takeoff and Landing UAV (VTUAV), the Army Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV), and various Air Force medium-altitude UAV systems, including Predator.
The remote sensing industry should play a key role in enabling first responders to coordinate their efforts in the event of another terrorist attack, according to a panel of industry leaders speaking at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington Nov. 8. The geospatial information industry stands ready to respond if it is called upon to more fully support the homeland defense effort, according to A. Clay Ancell, senior vice president for strategic corporate development at EarthData International.
Although many Chinese are convinced that America's missile defense program is aimed primarily at countering China's strategic arsenal, a new arms race is not necessarily inevitable, according to a panel of policy analysts speaking at the Cato Institute in Washington. China currently has a modest strategic nuclear force, including 20 to 24 liquid-fueled CSS4 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), according to Cato analyst Charles Pena. Two new types of Chinese ICBMs are also in development, along with a new short-range ballistic missile (SRBM).
