Computer Sciences has reported a 20% drop in net income, to $65.6 million, on a 12.9% increase in revenues, for the company's third fiscal quarter ended Dec. 29. Before special items--including the restructuring of CSC's global financial services activities--diluted earnings per share were up more than 9%, to 72 cents, compared with the same period in the prior year. CSC also booked $1.8 billion worth of new business in the quarter.
General Atomics has conducted the first flight of its Predator B 001 drone, the initial aircraft in what is to be a series of three new unmanned aerial vehicles for NASA's Environmental Aircraft and Sensor Technology program. The drones are derivatives of the 105-hp. piston-powered U.S. Air Force RQ-1 Predator.
Bell Agusta Aerospace Co. is completing final assembly of a preproduction BA609 civil tiltrotor in preparation for the aircraft's first flight this summer.
Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector will provide 17 AN/ALQ-135 Band 1.5 electronic countermeasures subsystems for USAF F-15E fighters, under a $30-million contract.
These precision miniature parts are used for electronic circuit board applications. The screws have a 0-40 thread size and are self tapping. The slotted head measures 0.125 in. dia. X 0.045 in. thick, and the thread length is 0.200 in. The length is held to a 0.005-in. tolerance. The screws have a 60-deg. gimlet point which aids in self tapping by centering the screw to the hole. They are produced from 1/8 in. dia. 303 stainless steel wire stock. Originally manufactured for circuit board application, the screws have found use in many other industries.
The global helicopter business is active, but growth is relatively flat and forecast to remain that way this year as operators struggle to eke out marginal improvements in profitability and aircraft utilization.
The electro-chemical SM2000 etch system marks parts for cradle-to-grave traceability. It directly applies a machine readable, 2D data matrix code as specified by Air Transport Assn. spec. 2000. Data matrix codes are scalable and can be marked in very small areas. The process will not weaken or distort metal parts because the molecular structure of the part is not altered beyond the depth of the mark. It can even mark thin-walled parts without damage, according to the company.
Maryland State Police flight operations are unique in that they have shifted dramatically from their original mission of police and law enforcement to medical evacuation in the past 10 years, a trend likely to continue during the next decade.
U.S. general aviation airframe manufacturers last year delivered 2,816 new airplanes worth a record $8.6 billion. Shipments were up 12.5% compared with 1999 and billings rose 9.1%, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. Builders delivered 1,913 light aircraft, 315 turboprop and 588 business jets.
With the Agusta/Westland merger virtually sealed and the NH-90 transport/frigate helicopter finally in production, European manufacturers are optimistic about increasing their market share in the years ahead.
The foundation of the ForceTec nut plate is a bushing-type component called a retainer. Each retainer is sized to match the applicable part thickness and is cold expanded into place using cold expansion tooling. The ForceTec system is typically six-times faster to install than a conventional riveted-on nut plate, according to the company. The durability of the joint is greatly increased, and the consistency of installation resolves many bottlenecks due to rework and concessions.
The U.K.'s latest strategic review sees the need for greater emphasis on defense cooperation within Europe, while seeking to ensure that such moves do not undermine transatlantic links with the U.S.
The $1.4-billion U.S. Destiny laboratory, the single most expensive element of the International Space Station, is to be integrated with the ISS by the shuttle Atlantis crew this week during a flight that will also mark the largest block increase in station software and computer capability planned for the life of the 20-year program. STS-98 mission commander Kenneth Cockrell and copilot Mark Polansky piloted Atlantis into an initial 175 X 110-naut.-mi. orbit following a spectacular sunset liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at 6:13 p.m. EST Feb. 7.
Starmet 300- and 400-Series stainless steel powders are highly spherical and free flowing. Featuring a hard surface, they are ideal for shot peening to prevent crack initiation at the surface of a part, as well as shot blasting to remove surface blemishes from investment castings. Offered in particle size distributions of -35 to +325 MESH with a median distribution of 100 mm, the powders can be controlled to meet specific customer requirements. Essentially free of nonmetallic inclusions, these powders are produced using the Rotating Electrode Process (REP).
Magtrol Inc.'s new load measuring pin detects overload. Mounted into machines in place of normal shafts and fitted with strain gauges, the pins produce a signal proportional to the measured load. Pins have high-resistance stainless steel and tight construction. Their insensitivity to external mechanical and chemical effects makes them well-suited for use in hostile environments. They have a capacity of 2.5-2,500 kN. (0.25-250 tons), a high ergonomics value and can be used for either new or refitted installation. Magtrol Inc., 70 Gardenville Parkway, Buffalo, N.Y.
The fate of AOM, Air Liberte and Air Littoral, SAirGroup's troubled French affiliates, is surrounded by growing uncertainties. Paul Reutlinger, chief executive for the three airlines, resigned last week over a disagreement with the Swiss group's strategy. The three French carriers are expected to begin operating under a common name by the end of March and to become a unified company later. But the plan could be endangered by massive financial losses and looming labor unrest.
Gerald R. Dinkel (see photo) has been named corporate vice president of the Cubic Corp. of San Diego and CEO of its group of defense companies. He was deputy defense group executive. Dinkel succeeds Walt Fairbanks, who has retired but will remain a member of the board of directors.
This new vacuum anchor system was designed to provide aircraft maintenance personnel with a tie-off point for their personal fall arrest system. Without damaging aircraft, the lightweight Vacuum Anchor pads lock on to the skin of the wings, fuselage or tail section. The pads are powered by a standard 110-volt electrical pump and the system employs a fail-safe back-up system with both visual and audio alarms. The vacuum pump and pads are packaged into a mobile cart so it can be used inside a hangar without the need for fixed overhead lines or outside on the tarmac.
The X-43 scramjet and its booster are to be mated to NASA's B-52 carrier aircraft this week for a ground test that could lead to first flight of the Mach 7 research vehicle within the next several months, according to program officials. The first of three planned flights of NASA's Hyper-X vehicle, previously scheduled for the end of last year, is now set to be conducted between late-April and mid-June, depending on progress made during the few remaining development program milestones (AW&ST Feb. 5, p. 20).
Officials of Airbus Industrie said an A320 full-flight simulator delivered to its training facility in Miami is the first device to receive Level D, Initial Joint Certification from the FAA and the European Joint Aviation Authorities. The simulator was built by BAE Systems. In related news, Air France has selected CAE in Canada to build a Level D simulator to train pilots of A330/340-series transports. The unit is scheduled for installation at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in April 2002.
A six-page selection guide for Kleerdex Co. details 10 grades of thermoplastic alloys for injection molding of damage-resistance components. The compounds are said to exhibit exceptional fire retardancy, impact and chemical resistance, stiffness and other properties required for demanding applications. Each grade is cross referenced by intended application (aircraft, building product, etc.) to a host of certified flammability ratings.
Pierre A. Chao, managing director/senior aerospace-defense analyst for Credit Suisse First Boston in New York, has been appointed to the U.S. National Commission on the Use of Offsets in Defense Trade.
