Sean O'Keefe's study-and-learn approach to NASA policy is starting to chafe on Capitol Hill. Democrats on the House Science Committee pressed him hard last week on issues ranging from potential cuts at agency field centers to the alleged mistreatment of African-American women in the astronaut corps. But there were no definitive answers from the genial NASA Administrator.
U.S. military depot organizations and their civilian contractors continue to seek software solutions for repair and overhaul activities. One example is GE Aircraft Engines' in support of its contract with Navy's Government Industry Logistics Support (GILS) program for the F414-powered F/A-18. After signing a contract last year to use IFS software at more than 60 of its facilities worldwide, GE and IFS developed modules for purchasing, inventory, customer and work orders and a configuration management application--Spectra.
The United Arab Emirates has requested the upgrade of 30 AH-64A Apache helicopters to D models in a deal that could be worth about $1.5 billion, including some additional equipment and services. Primary contractors would include Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Electric, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The helicopter upgrade would improve the UAE's antiarmor day/night missile capability and close air support for its military ground forces.
Helen Wood has been appointed chair of the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Natural Disaster Reduction. She is director of satellite data processing and distribution for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration.
Dale Klamer has been named vice president/general manager of the San Diego division of Alphatech Inc., Burlington, Mass. He was vice president/corporate technical director for Orincon.
EADS Co-CEO Philippe Camus has been reelected president of the Gifas French aerospace industries association for a second two-year term. Charles Edelstenne was elected vice president. He is chairman/CEO of Dassault Aviation. Francois Lureau, executive vice president of Thales, has been elected president of Gifas' components arm.
The European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) has approved a number of pilot training programs offered by FlightSafety International. These include license skill tests and proficiency checks for the Dassault Aviation Falcon 50/50EX, 900/900EX and the Falcon 2000 administered at the company's learning centers in Teterboro, N.J., and at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The JAA also approved programs for the Bombardier Challenger 600/601 series and the Challenger 604 at facilities in Montreal; Tucson, Ariz.; Houston, and Wilmington, Del.
Boeing received an enthusiastic response from airlines during an initial series of discussions prior to the September terrorist attacks on the Sonic Cruiser program. In the meantime, that enthusiasm has been tempered by the steep plunge in air traffic that followed the attacks and the sluggish economic recovery, leaving many carriers on the ropes. Add to that the 16 months the airlines have had to study the unique design of the Mach 0.98 aircraft and determine how it might be integrated into their operations. Questions have been raised.
National Transportation Safety Board Chair Marion C. Blakey by all indications will become the next FAA administrator when Jane Garvey, the first woman to hold that job, leaves office on Aug. 4 after completing her five-year term. In a statement issued July 17, Blakey, who took over as NTSB chair last September, noted that the Bush administration had picked her to take on the assignment at a ``critical time'' for the aviation industry. That may be an understatement.
The DuraLite Technology line of electrostatic guns has reduced-weight, ergonomic gun design, optional compact cascade control units and improved product performance, according to the company. Developed with maneuverability and operator comfort in mind, the DuraLite Technology is available in air spray, HVLP spray or air-assisted airless spray. They are designed to be used with waterborne or solvent applications. ITW Ransburg, 320 Phillips Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43612.
NATO insists it will deploy new weapons in the teeth of international terrorism, but the U.S. still doubts whether deficit-wary Europe can at last summon the political will to bridge its yawning technology gap with the Pentagon. The 19-nation alliance has ordered a clutch of initiatives to defend against weapons of mass destruction (WMD). They include a prototype analytical laboratory, response team, chemical defense stockpile and germ warfare surveillance system to deal with nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological WMD.
In addition to FlightSafety, the Bombardier Aerospace Training Centers in Montreal and Dallas/Fort Worth have become the first in North America to receive JAA approval for maintenance training conducted under JAR 147 guidelines for the Challenger 604, CRJ regional jets and Global Express business jet. The facilities in Montreal and Dallas/Fort Worth also have been designated as a JAA Type Rating Training Organization for flight training.
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory here is an engineering research and development organization that has evolved from its Cold War mission into an institution that gives modern interpretation to its traditional strengths. The Massachussetts Institute of Technology's Instrumentation Laboratory was spun off as the independent Draper Lab in 1973. Work there for decades revolved around three areas--strategic guidance systems, primarily for the Navy's submarine-launched ICBMs, manned space guidance and control, and undersea systems.
The company has increased the speed of its 2026A 2.05-GHz. signal generator's pulse modulator to 15 nanoseconds. By replacing the pulse modulator in the unit, the speed of the pulse modulation rise and fall time was increased to meet measurement needs of radar, antenna and electronic countermeasures applications.
Japan's National Space Development Agency has set Sept. 10 for the third H-IIA launch. Payloads will be a Data-Relay Test Satellite and the Unmanned Space Experiment Recovery System.
Jeffrey A. Paust has become director of quality assurance and metallurgy for Engine Components Inc. of San Antonio. He was senior metallurgical engineer/materials laboratory manager for Teledyne Continental Motors.
Phil Boyer, president of the Frederick, Md.-based Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn., has received the Godfrey L. Cabot Award from the Aero Club of New England. He was cited for his ``efforts and success in restoring general aviation privileges following Sept. 11.''
Finmeccanica, Alenia's parent company, plans to expand in the aerospace and defense sector by targeting acquisitions in Italy and abroad, according to the Italian group's new chairman and CEO. The aggressive strategy was detailed to Aviation Week & Space Technology by Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, Finmeccanica's newly appointed chairman/CEO. Finmeccanica will focus on aerospace and defense, its core business; implement an external growth policy if acquisition opportunities emerge and pursue strategic alliances with new partners, Guarguaglini said.
Bengt Halse, president/CEO of Saab AB has been appointed president-elect of AECMA, the Brussels-based European association of aerospace industries. He will succeed Jean-Paul Bechat, who is chairman/CEO of Snecma, at the association's annual convention on Oct. 4.
The company is producing complex metal-formed components and assemblies for commercial and military applications that require faster start up, greater accuracy and controlled costs. This combustor dome for a fighter aircraft engine is typical of such products. It is manufactured using hydroforming, double-acting hydraulic press forming and multi-axes milling to produce finished products of aerospace quality in less time, according to the company. The combustor dome has a diameter of 21 in., height of 1.5 in. and a thickness of 0.040 in. The material is AMS 5608.
Lawrence M. Falco has become manager of the Phoenix-based Apex Manufacturing Div. of Barnes Aerospace, Windsor, Conn. He held the same position at Barnes' Ceramics Div.
EDITED BY EDWARD H. PHILLIPSCRAIG COVAULT ( ORLANDO, FLA.)
The same network-centric warfare and UAV revolution changing the modern battlefield is also reshaping corporate boardrooms, as engineers and managers awaken to the growing symbiotic relationships between manned and unmanned air operations and space and information systems. The network-centric/UAV paradigm, already a key element of transformation in the Defense Dept., is beginning to transform the corporate landscape, top defense and industry managers meeting here said.
NASA has selected General Electric to develop and test a Mach 4-class gas turbine demonstrator engine that could lay the groundwork for an engine capable of powering the first stage of a two-stage-to-orbit vehicle. The work will be performed under the Revolutionary Turbine Accelerator (RTA) technology demonstration program, which is part of NASA's Advanced Space Transportation Program, a project aimed at developing third-generation space launchers.
Heroux-Devtek Inc.'s Landing Gear Div. has been awarded $31 million in orders from the U.S. Air Force and Navy for landing gear components for the P-3, KC-135R, C-5 and F-16.
