As the U.S. Defense Dept. prepares to embark on the Space-Based Radar (SBR) program with a soon-to-be-released request for proposals, aerospace industry leaders are again confronting a question that refuses to go away: Where will they get enough people with the right systems-level skills to handle such a massive project? The SBR's initial phase, for example, will require hiring about 800 engineers to define the huge orbital radar system, according to U.S. Air Force officials.
The determinants of success on the battlefield of 2030 will not be aircraft, ships or tanks, but rather, the exploitation of knowledge and speed of execution based on that knowledge. Clearly, traditional elements of combat power will still be relevant, but their employment will be part of a significantly different concept of operations (Conops).
UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO RESEARCHERS HAVE USED organic transistor technology to fabricate a relatively large-area pressure sensor on a flexible plastic sheet. They told attendees at the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) in Washington last week that possible applications include an artificial skin that could give robots a sense of touch. Scientists say organic semiconductor transistors offer two advantages over silicon: They are compatible with flexible substrates, and should be substantially cheaper to manufacture.
Spirit Airlines, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based low-fare carrier, is discussing replacement aircraft for its 30 MD-80s with Boeing, Airbus and Embraer. CEO Jacob Schorr said the Embraer discussions have included the 100-seat Embraer 190. "We are definitely looking at the specs to see whether it has a place in our system," he said. Schorr said the replacement order will be made in the short term.
Over the past couple years, the U.S. Air Force has used an advanced digital camera capable of snapping images as large as 500 MBs to develop crash/rescue/fire virtual reality training devices for nearly every aircraft in its fleet, including commercial planes.
The FAA is proposing a rule setting safety standards for the design and installation of the Boeing Flammability Reduction System on 747 model aircraft. Several accidents (notably the TWA Flight 800 crash in July 1996) intensified government efforts to prevent fuel tank explosions--a top priority item on the NTSB's Most Wanted List of aviation safety recommendations.
Qatar Aeronautical College concluded a preliminary agreement with BAE Systems to sharply expand the college's ability to train pilots and engineers for gulf-region airlines, air forces and aerospace firms and lessen reliance on overseas schools. The college also signed preliminary deals with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University of the U.S. to set up a bachelor's degree program, and said it is exploring cooperation with Saudi Development and Training, a BAE joint venture, to further boost its curriculum.
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TEAC's Digital Debrief Station (DDS) is a ruggedized, portable application-specific PC with 18-in. LCD display and keyboard enclosed in a steel case. Commanders use video and data files recorded during combat or training to provide battlefield intelligence beyond that of verbal reports. FLIR, HUD, radar, night vision, MFD/DDI, and/or 1553 data files are recorded on board aircraft to give leaders the ability to perform time-sensitive targeting. The DDS features dual Xeon 2.2 GHz.
Development difficulties and laggard component deliveries have sent costs on the X-37 testbed so far out of bounds this year that NASA has directed prime contractor Boeing to "deemphasize" the orbital variant of the reusable space plane, and concentrate instead on drop tests and advanced technology.
Airbus has transformed eight preliminary purchase agreements for its Airbus A380 ultra wide-body transport into final contracts, marking the completion of a year-long effort to firm up remaining commitments in the A380 backlog.
A SMALL BOX THAT CAN ALERT A PILOT IF HE IS IN A LASER BEAM, and whether it has the potential to damage his eyes, has been developed by the Naval Air Systems Command's Vision Laboratory at Patuxent River, Md. Integration into the cockpit should be minimal since the Laser Event Recorder (LER) is autonomous and powered for 6-8 hr. by four AA batteries. Three colored light-emitting diodes on the box tell whether the aircraft is being targeted, and the risk to eyes.
In the first two decades of aviation, the decision to build aircraft out of wood was fairly simple. It was a standard structural material, inexpensive, and the proper type of wood had high performance--spruce was stronger by weight than contemporary aluminum.
Steven F. Dwyer has been appointed chief operating officer of Rolls-Royce Corp. of Indianapolis. He succeeds Richard B. Lewis, 2nd, who is scheduled to retire early next year. Dwyer had been president of Defense North America.
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Petty comments like those of First Officer Dean C. Roberts cause problems between employees. Workers should think before making statements of little value, and learn how to make a great industry better.
The first Boeing Delta IV Heavy booster is elevated on Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral in preparation for its initial USAF test flight set for July. The 2-million-lb.-thrust Heavy Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) is the largest new booster configuration to be erected at the Cape in decades and is a strong contender to be the next U.S. manned launcher if the Orbital Space Plane is approved. The Heavy will undergo electrical checks this month leading to liquid oxygen and hydrogen loading tests in early 2004.
Aviation Week & Space Technology will enter a new era on Feb. 1, when Anthony L. Velocci, Jr. takes the helm as editor-in-chief. Tony will succeed David M. North, who will retire after an outstanding 27-year career with Aviation Week.
The European parliament and ministry council are expected to ratify in the next few months the European Commission's Single Sky initiative in the wake of a political agreement concluded on Dec. 10. Implementing the Single Sky program should lead to the long-overdue unification of Europe's airspace and significantly boost overall flight punctuality.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of human sustained flight, Aviation Week & Space Technology asked some of its editors to provide snap histories of the subject areas they have covered for many years. To provide insights on what might be in store 25 or so years from now, during the Next Century of Flight, we turned to experts in specific fields.
The U.S. Navy's commitment to Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout helicopter UAV has never been particularly confidence inspiring, a view that is only being affirmed by the latest pronouncements from senior service representatives. Even though the program is only in its early days of production, Rear Adm. Jay Cohen, director of the Office of Naval Research, identified Bell Helicopter's Eagle Eye tiltrotor UAV as the likely follow-on to Fire Scout. Eagle Eye would be particularly relevant once the Marines field the V-22, a much larger tiltrotor. The U.S.
Correction: The aircraft shown in the photo accompanying the Viewpoint (p. 78) in the Dec. 1 issue was misidentified. The photo shows an American Airlines Fokker 100.
The Italian air force has finally inked a contract for seven Lockheed Martin/Alenia C-27J tactical airlifters previously on option. The 350-million-euro ($427-million) contract is being funded by the industry ministry rather than the defense ministry. The air force placed a firm order for five C-27Js in mid-2002, with the additional seven on option. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled to begin in early 2005.
The AvMap Flight Planner is modeled after the EKP-IIIC GPS moving map system, and is designed primarily as a training tool for electronic knee pad (EKP) owners to keep current with operation of their EKP. The AvMap Flight Planner is software that is installed in a personal computer, which can then be downloaded into the EKP. The EKP is also capable of reading Jeppesen NavData C-cards that ship with each EKP unit, as well as (optional) available regional detailed maps.
