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 Bush Administration's proposed multi-layered approach to missile defense is the most effective means of countering countermeasures, according to Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) Director Lt. Gen. Ronald Kadish. The multi-layered approach will use land-, sea-, air-, and eventually, space-based systems to target ballistic missiles in the boost, midcourse, or terminal phase of their flight.
In addition to its impact on shipbuilding, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps procurement shortfall in the 2002 defense budget (DAILY, July 11) will have a heavy impact on aviation, Navy leaders told Congress July 12. The 2002 defense budget request includes $99 billion for the Navy and Marine Corps, which is $7.1 billion more than the request for fiscal year 2001. However, the increase primarily addresses cost growth in personnel and operations and maintenance accounts.
Raytheon Corp. is spending $6 million of its own money on plans to downsize and modernize the current Patriot missile system hardware to keep it effective through 2028. Among other improvements, these plans would result in the "Patriot Light," a system with downsized command and control equipment, both at the battalion and the fire unit.
