Places of Power: The Aesthetics of Technology is a new book of photographs by John Sexton. This collection offers 82 stunning black-and-white duotone photographs that document some of the world's most amazing technological achievements. From ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings to the intricacies of the space shuttle, his images reveal the striking beauty of miraculous structures and machines. This unique look into the unexpected dynamic loveliness of technological achievement can reshape preconceived notions.
The Breitling Emergency watch is dubbed a survival device for pilots of small planes and their passengers. It comes equipped with a tiny transmitter to broadcast on the international distress frequency in an aeronautical emergency. The FAA and FCC have granted approval of the sale of the instrument which has a multifunction chronograph plus micro-transmitter that enables close-range location of pilots or passengers after a forced landing.
An interim report on last summer's Concorde tragedy reveals several unusual failure mechanisms that could affect how the supersonic transport is modified to be returned to service. The report by the BEA French accident investigation bureau also includes a history of tire bursts on the aircraft and how they were addressed, as well as refining the sequence of events leading to the accident. The report covers investigators' activities through Dec. 15.
Northrop Grumman Corp. Electronic Sensors and Systems Div. will provide 24 AN/APN-241 navigation and weather radars for installation in Lockheed Martin C-130H aerial delivery aircraft in a $7.7-million work order from the USAF's Warner Robins Air Logistics Center.
Chile's decision to buy 10-12 Block 50/52 F-16C/D fighters is the first big order since the U.S. ended its ban on high-tech military sales in Latin America in 1998. The deal depended on the U.S. providing a boom-equipped KC-135 tanker to refuel the fighters. Chile sets great store in being able to patrol the area of rich fishing between mainland Chile and Easter Island, which is more than 2,000 mi. into the Pacific Ocean. Refueling is currently done with a probe-and-drogue-equipped 707 tanker, which can't be used by an F-16.
The Pentagon lacks the management focus to substantially rectify the deficiencies in electronic warfare that have plagued the U.S. military since 1996 when the decision was made to retire the Air Force's EF-111 fleet, according to a report by the General Accounting Office (GAO). Although Defense Dept. officials acknowledge shortfalls in EW, they contend establishing a central focal point could be detrimental. ``The centralization of [Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD)] coordinating authority may lead to neglect of unique service requirements,'' said George Scheiter.
Boeing's concept for a super-short take-off and landing military transport aircraft is getting a radically new look with designers opting to pursue a forward-swept tilt-wing approach.
Brazil's senate has approved funding for the long-delayed F-5BR modernization program. The majority of money for the six-year, $285-million project will go to Israel's Elbit Systems that was selected to perform the upgrade along with teammate Embraer in October 1998. Elbit will receive more than $200 million for supplying a new avionics suite for the 50 F-5E/Fs to be upgraded. A multimode radar also will be installed. In addition, Elbit has strengthened its helmet mounted systems capability by acquiring Honeywell's display and tracker products for $14 million.
There are roughly a dozen reusable launch vehicle (RLV) development efforts worldwide, including a few Russian and European programs for which there is little information. Most of these programs are not much farther along than the concept design phase. Some, such as Rotary Rocket's Roton program, have actually come up with a demonstrator vehicle that has flown.
The Flight Safety Foundation's (FSF) Approach and Landing Accident Reduction Task Force has found that controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) was involved in 37% of 76 approach and landing accidents or serious incidents from 1984-97. According to the FSF, 67% occurred in hilly terrain and 29% in flat terrain (the type of terrain in the other 4% was unknown); 57% of CFIT accidents/incidents occurred during nonprecision approaches and 70% occurred in poor visibility. Loss of visual references was a major factor in accidents involving CFIT.
The Nordam Group's Nacelle/Thrust Reverser Systems Div. has selected Unison Industries to supply engine nacelle harnesses for the Dassault 2000EX aircraft.
Encouraged by record orders, Alcatel Space has launched a 150-million-euro ($144-million) program to expand design and production capacity to 10 satellites annually from the current rate of six. The plan calls for increasing engineering facilities in Toulouse, including the payload integration building to allow production of one or two satellites. Testing will be handled by Intespace, a Toulouse-based company in which Alcatel has a 13% stake.
The Pentagon called off a review of the F-22 fighter program scheduled for last week and now is likely to leave a decision on initiating low-rate production to the Bush Administration. The decision was made around the same time Lockheed Martin received a bridge contract to keep the program going through Mar. 31. Air Force officials fear the program will slip because the change in administration will make it tougher to get a new review scheduled before the stop-gap money runs out.
A Titan II launcher is set to carry a Lockheed Martin/Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D-3 spacecraft into orbit on Jan. 19 from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. A 10-min. launch window opens at 5:58 a.m. PST.
Meanwhile, Hungary's Privatization and State Holding Co. (APV) is postponing indefinitely plans to sell off a stake in state-owned airline Malev after failing to receive any bids. APV officials said seven companies requested information on the carrier, but no tenders were received by the Jan. 8 deadline.
Missile development and production is starting to recover from the doldrums of the mid-1990s. The recovery is uneven with some areas such as air-to-surface and cruise missiles seeing a major upsurge, while other areas, such as anti-ship missiles, remain stagnant. AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES
Eurocontrol has bought five licenses of The Preston Group's Total Airspace&Airport Modeller simulation software for use at its Brussels headquarters and Bretigny Experimental Center outside Paris. Bretigny is Eurocontrol's air traffic management and air safety research center. The Preston Group is a Boeing subsidiary.
Spherically Mounted Retroreflectors feature a new seam design that improves stability over time and temperature in comparison to other SMRs on the market, according to the company. The design improves the integrity of the fit between the mirror panels within the ball-shaped target, resulting in a very small gap width. This fit protects against the potentially destabilizing effects of temperature variation and extends the life of the targets.
The military market for Boeing's Next-Generation 737 is growing. The U.S. Air Force plans to buy up to three airplanes as part of its large operational support aircraft replacement program. The twin-engine jets would serve the regional commanders-in-chief and have a range of 5,000 naut. mi. and seating for 26 passengers and a crew of 11. Contract award is scheduled for late this year. The U.S. Navy is replacing its aging C-9 Nightingales with 737s, and Australia and Turkey have selected the 737 to serve as a platform for airborne early warning systems.
The battle for market share among engine makers characterized the decade of the 1990s, often manifesting itself in brutal ``three on a wing'' competitions to the delight of demanding customers. In the new millennium, however, a new and possibly worrying trend, techno-nationalism, is beginning to take form. In business terms, this means vertical integration along national lines: increasingly, U.S. airframe/engine combinations are taking on European counterparts.
Business jet deliveries in 2000 have hit an astonishing all-time high of more than 700 jets worth more than $10 billion. For the first time, the business jet market is larger than the global market for combat aircraft. The market has been transformed, and fears of a market bubble have been assuaged. The only question concerns whether the market has hit a new plateau, or if it will grow further still. A SUDDEN GROWTH SPURT
