Boeing is presenting three variations of a high-speed Sonic Cruiser to airlines as well as a high-efficiency "reference configuration," and hopes to have a decision on which new development path to take by around the end of the year. All designs meet a target of carrying 200-250 passengers for at least 7,500 naut. mi.
Ronald D. Abramson, chairman of the Washington office of the law firm Silverstein and Mullens, is one of seven new members of the board of directors of the Washington Airports Task Force. The others are: John M. Kane, president/CEO of the Kane Co., a Baltimore trucking concern; Charles S. MacFarlane, director of the Virginia Aviation Dept.; former U.S. Rep. Owen B. Pickett, who is counsel to the law firm Troutman Sanders; Robert M. Pinkard, CEO of real estate brokerage Cassidy & Pinkard; David C.
Network-centric schemes abound as military and aerospace industry planners try to juggle expenses and efficiency in designing fusion systems to tie improved sensors into a great machine that can sort through intelligence almost instantaneously and strike with great effect--perhaps lethally, perhaps not.
China is attempting to develop fourth-generation imaging infrared-guided air-to-air and man-portable surface-to-air missiles, which--if successful--would mark a step change in the country's guided-weapons capability. A prototype imaging-infrared (I2R) seeker is claimed to be already under test. Development of the air-to-air missile would give China a route to acquiring a capability more akin to the AIM-9X, or British Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile.
NASA has rewritten its Fiscal 2003 budget request to reflect a dramatic shift in its long-term planning, using Space Launch Initiative (SLI) funds to pay for space shuttle "enhancements," International Space Station activities and early work on the small orbital spaceplane that would replace Russian Soyuz capsules as the ISS lifeboat.
Chengdu Aircraft has begun final assembly of the first prototype of its FC-1/Super-7 light fighter, with a maiden flight anticipated next June, according to program officials. Construction of the prototype began in July, with the aircraft to be powered by a version of the MiG-29's RD33 engine. The FC-1 is a joint program between China and Pakistan. One Chengdu official said the Pakistani air force would purchase 150 of the type, although the extent of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) commitment remains to be determined.
The races in which NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe campaigned for Republicans had widely differing results. With a 62-38% victory margin, Tom Feeney clobbered Democrat Harry Jacobs in Florida's 24th Congressional District, which includes Cape Canaveral, and where neither was the incumbent. But O'Keefe's glad-handing on behalf of Rep. Bob Riley's bid to unseat Gov. Don Siegelman in Alabama led to a gossamer-thin margin still too close to call late last week. Not everyone saw the NASA chief's politicking as an exercise of his rights as a citizen (AW&ST Oct. 28, p. 78).
EchoStar Communications Corp. and Hughes Electronics Corp. late last week were expected to challenge a Justice Dept. lawsuit blocking their proposed $18-billion merger. Industry officials believe such a move would have little chance of success. The Federal Communications Commission remains opposed to the transaction.
Newly declassified pictures show the U.S. had satellite imaging capabilities as far back as the early 1960s that were at least on a par with the highest-resolution commercial satellites in operation today. Historians of the Cold War and natural scientists are beginning to sift through a treasure trove of about 50,000 newly declassified images gathered by two U.S. reconnaissance satellites from 1963-80.
ESIS Inc. of San Diego went the other way. Started a decade ago, the privately held company's foundation was in aerospace with Honeywell Aerospace Engines & Systems, Cessna, Bell Helicopter and Boeing Canoga Park (Rocketdyne) as leading customers (AW&ST Aug. 21, 2000, p. 70). ESIS' Harmony Order Management System (HOM) software reconciles the data fields of multiple purchase ordering systems.
Jay Grove, senior vice president/general manager for EMS Technologies' Space & Technology Group in Atlanta, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Southeast Council of the American Electronics Assn.
R. (Skip) Davies has been named vice president-sales and marketing and Louie Gravel chief inspector for Western Aircraft Inc., Boise, Idaho. Davies was director of sales and international operations for the Raytheon Aircraft Co. Gravel was lead quality assurance inspector for Bombardier Aerospace, Windsor, Conn.
First delivery soon for utility/business TBM700 C2 Maximum cruise speed is 300 kt., and operating ceiling 31,000 ft. 27 WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS Infowar to invade air defense networks U.S. can now conduct computer attack in support of precision bombardment, or as an alternative 30 Eroding GPS worries Pentagon More than half of satellites no longer fully operational; no way to accurately tell when more will fail 31 Jamming role given to F-22, F-35, MC2A
Swiss International Airlines and Canadian carriers are poised to benefit from unrestricted flight frequency and seat capacity between their home countries. Switzerland and Canada last week ratified an open skies-type bilateral accord designed to fully deregulate air transportation. In addition, the agreement would enable Swiss to implement a decision to operate code-share flights with American Airlines.
As a former marketing director for a regional airline that operated the ATR 42, I read with interest the article concerning potential future sales of ATR turboprops in the U.S. (AW&ST Sept. 30, p. 51). However, you failed to mention the possibility of a replacement turboprop market in the U.S.
The U.S. and Jamaica initialed an open skies aviation agreement Oct. 30, extending to passenger service the market liberalization they negotiated for all-cargo operations in October 2000. Under open skies, airlines of either country may operate without restriction between and beyond each country. One exception: U.S. carriers won't be allowed to combine charter passengers originating in different countries on the same aircraft until Nov.1, 2005. Jamaica is the U.S.' 59th open skies partner.
By next April, Japan's Skymark Airlines will take over three of All Nippon Airways' routes, further evidence of ANA aligning with discounter carriers to counter the domestic strength of Japan Airlines now that it has taken over Japan Air System. Earlier, ANA said it would help Air Do, another discounter, avoid financial calamity by extending support services.
European low-cost carrier Ryanair is to use Milan Bergamo as the third of its continental European bases from February 2003. The initial route structure will cover London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Hamburg, Paris and Barcelona.
John Thomas advocates splitting up United Airlines. United's last fatal accident caused by pilot error was in December 1978, when a DC-8 crashed on approach at Portland, Ore., after the flight crew ran the fuel tanks dry while troubleshooting a landing gear problem. It's too bad that the marketplace gives United no credit for the culture of safety that created a superior record. As a frequent United flier, I appreciate that safety is the top priority. Unfortunately, that has not helped the bottom line or public support.
Robert Chicas (see photo) has been appointed vice president/deputy manager of New York-based HOK Aviation for its Indianapolis International Airport Midfield Terminal project. He was a project manager at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.
An attack on Iraq, and other potential military action in support of the U.S. war on terrorism, is causing military planners to consider new electronic and information warfare initiatives, although there continue to be signs that the Pentagon doesn't have a firm grasp on how to treat the disciplines.
Alliant Techsystems has bought Science and Applied Technology, the developer of the Navy's Anti-Radiation Guided Missile seeker. The deal should ensure the future of the Aargm program, which had come in doubt because of a federal grand jury indictment against former SAT President Parthasarathi (Robert) Majumder. Aargm is a multi-mode seeker that could be used to upgrade or replace Raytheon's Harm anti-radar missile. The program will fit into ATK's Precision Systems Group that was formed in April.
NASA seems to be between a rock and a hard place on keeping a fresh Soyuz capsule as a lifeboat at the International Space Station. Russia's obligation to provide the three-seat vehicles runs out in 2006, and the U.S. agency can't buy them after that because of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000. The Bush White House isn't likely to certify that Russia has stopped helping Iran develop missiles and weapons of mass destruction, which is what it would take to free up U.S. funds under the act.
China's rise as a manufacturing nation has been astounding. It is achieving the economic status of a superpower on the strength of its membership in the World Trade Organization; a young, motivated, low-wage workforce; and aggressive industrial policies. With annual economic growth in the 8% range, China is fast attaining a world manufacturing ranking in the same league as Japan, the European Union and the U.S.
