The Discovery crew's demonstration of two thermal protection techniques will advance materials technology development for a future shuttle in-orbit repair capability. There were specific chemistry-related vacuum, temperature and zero-g factors that had to be assessed with the materials.
Harris Corp. will replace 8,000 cathode ray tube displays used for voice communications by air traffic controllers in the U.S. with flat-panel displays under a $35-million contract modification with the FAA. The displays will improve voice communications management and cut life-cycle costs, Harris says. The systems will improve voice quality, enable controllers to easily reconfigure voice communications and provide operational availability greater than 0.9999999, Harris adds. The FAA agreement modifies an existing contract with Harris.
Dale P. Bennett (see photo) has been appointed president of Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support, Orlando, Fla. He was head of the Integrated Coast Guard Systems joint venture responsible for the U.S. Coast Guard's Deepwater modernization program.
Surviving members of the Enola Gay crew, in observance of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, last week issued a joint statement reaffirming that none of them regret having dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, in hopes of expediting the end of the war. The second atomic bomb was dropped on Aug. 9. Brig. Gen. (ret.) Paul W.
European Union and Russian air transport representatives are poised to commence talks on overcoming differences in regulating their relations, but first the Europeans have to clarify who will lead their negotiations.
Lockheed Martin has begun deliveries of 12 F-16s to the Royal Air Force of Oman. The sale includes eight single-seat F-16Cs and four two-seat F-16Ds powered by General Electric F110-GE-129 engines. The fighters are built to Advanced Block 50 configuration. The first aircraft is an F-16D; the first F-16C version will fly this month. Both jets will be ferried to Oman in mid-October. The remaining airplanes will be delivered in 2006, according to Lockheed Martin.
The likelihood of action in Europe to further limit aircraft emissions is growing with the publication of two European Commission studies released last week.
Sagem and French defense research agency Onera have begun a test campaign to demonstrate the usefulness of unmanned aerial vehicles in detecting and combating forest fires. The trials involve the Busard, a long-endurance, optionally-manned aircraft acquired earlier this year to certify UAVs for civil applications (AW&ST Apr. 11, p. 18). The vehicle is equipped with a Sagem visible/IR sensor designed to transmit images that are overlaid directly onto detailed contour maps.
A Boeing cockpit crew will attempt to set a world record in October for the longest nonstop commercial flight. Flying a 777-200LR powered by GE-90 engines, the crew plans to take off from an unnamed city in Asia, traverse the Pacific Ocean and North America, and cross the Atlantic before landing in London. Total elapsed time in the air would be 24 hr.--more than halfway around the world--with a 2-hr. fuel reserve. If successful, the flight would shatter the existing record held by a 777-200ER.
Northrop Grumman is modernizing the F/A-22's communications, navigation and identification (CNI) system to improve its network-centric capabilities. CNI will be upgraded to ensure it is compatible with the Joint Tactical Radio System, which is to connect all participating communications links into the global Internet grid (set to supply intelligence and targeting data to warfighters). In addition, the modification will add Link-16 jam-resistant communication links to the CNI system for improved situational awareness.
The FAA has issued Rockwell Collins its first Technical Standard Order (TSO-C166) for ADS-B functionality on Mode-S transponders. The approval enables traffic situational awareness on airport surfaces and in flight. Functions include a visual acquisition for see-and-avoid, sequencing and merging of traffic, crossing and passing operations and oceanic in-trail procedures. Rockwell Collins already has received approval in Europe, which is introducing Mode-S during the next few years. The U.S. is not using Mode-S as extensively as Europe.
Claude P. Moreau has been named to the board of directors of Satelinx International Inc. of Montreal. He has been vice president-marketing and business development for Couche Tard Inc., an executive with Chevron Petroleum in Latin America and West Africa, and president of Texaco Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes has raised the so-called list prices for its commercial aircraft an average 3.5% (see http://www.boeing.com/commercial/prices). The prices airline and leasing customers actually pay can be significantly lower, however. Chief salesman Scott Carson recently remarked that BCA's lean manufacturing initiatives have lowered its costs, enabling its salesmen to offer better deals.
Russia's air transport sector is undergoing steady change, with airlines looking to become more competitive (see p. 50). High fuel prices are putting a temporary dent in the country's rapid passenger growth as airlines boost fares. Fuel costs are also accelerating carriers' modernization efforts that have been slowly gathering pace. The airlines want to field modern, often western, aircraft to replace fuel-inefficient fleets comprising aircraft such as this Tu-154M, which is in service with charter operator Aviaenergo. Dmitry Petrochenko, Sky & Media photo.
RESEARCHERS AT THE FAA TECHNICAL CENTER in Pomona, N.J., are conducting a survey to better understand how emerging technologies are enabling the transmission of large amounts of important data to aircraft operating within the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA wants to know if and how these data could be used to improve safety and operational efficiency, reduce system costs and raise the level of productivity for airline passengers while in flight. This "Airborne Internet" could benefit all NAS users, according to the FAA.
Kevin P. Herlehy has become vice president-production and engineering for the Mooney Airplane Co., Kerrville, Tex. He has been vice president-engineering for NetJets Inc.
Rob Maruster has been appointed vice president-operational planning for JetBlue Airways. He has been vice president-airport customer service at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for Delta Air Lines.
World News Roundup 20 AT-802 air tankers hit forest fires hard this season 21 BAE Systems UAV/UCAV demonstrator to fly in 2009 21 Surviving members of Enola Gay crew salute today's military 22 Thales to begin full develop- ment of Watchkeeper USV World News & Analysis 26 Flight control, engineering teams laud tank, tile changes as "stellar" 29 Discovery tests advanced materials technology 30 ISS now set for another long haul without shuttle support
General Dynamics Corp. will purchase Spokane-based Itronix Corp., a manufacturer of wireless, rugged mobile computing equipment for military, public safety and other government applications. The niche acquisition will become a part of GD's C 4 Systems business, a major integrator of secure communications and information systems and technology. Itronix sales are in the $100-130-million range, according to JSA Research. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter.
An item in World News Roundup (AW&ST July 25, p. 19) misstated Embraer's partner for the Army's Aerial Common Sensor program. Lockheed Martin, teamed with Embraer, won the contract and is now reassessing its platform choice because the ERJ 145 is deemed too small.
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