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.
Rather than sparking another arms race, the Bush Administration's ongoing effort to develop a multi-layered missile defense system will be a powerful counter-proliferation tool, according to Ambassador David J. Smith. Speaking at a recent missile defense media conference in Huntsville, Ala., Smith said the lack of defensive systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles is, in fact, the very reason why countries want to acquire missiles.
Researchers at the Systems Safety Research Branch at NASA Ames Research Center work every day to inject the human element into current thinking about aerospace safety. The Systems Safety Research Branch is part of Ames' Human Factors Research and Technology Division, which supports human-centered design in complex aerospace information systems using experiments and models of human capabilities and human-machine interaction.
Northrop Grumman's Pegasus X-47A, the first demonstrator in the company's bid to build the UCAV-N (Navy Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle), is set to roll out of the factory July 30, with flight tests beginning by year's end. In addition to receiving funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Northrop Grumman is investing $35 million of its own money in Pegasus as part of an attempt to re-establish the company's pre-eminence in cutting edge aviation technology, according to company officials.
