New modeling and simulation tools running on high-speed computers at the Joint National Test Facility are allowing senior military and political leaders to explore National Missile Defense concepts of operation through realistic wargames. As the center for Ballistic Missile Defense Organization simulation, the JNTF conducts missile defense-related analysis, system-level engineering, integration and test and evaluation services. It also is a valuable development laboratory for exploring the complexities of missile defense command and control.
MirCorp, a plucky band of young Western space capitalists and graying Russian space apparachniks trying to save the Soviet-era Mir space station with a fresh shot of cash, got a lot of ink earlier this year with plans to send rich tourists into orbit.
With two missions in the last three months, the introduction of the new heavy-lift Ariane 5 onto the market is off to a promising start, after a longer than expected qualification period, and appears to be in a good position to meet its goal of five launches this year.
Thomas M. Clancy (see photos) has become vice president-engineering and Kristine T. Miller vice president-administration of Aurora Flight Sciences, Manassas, Va. Clancy was manager of the Environmental Research and Sensor Technology Program, while Miller was director of finance and administration.
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. at the Surrey Space Center has been awarded the $120,000-Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission Study contract from NASA to initiate concepts for a five-spacecraft mission.
IAI's Lahav Div. and the Kamov Design Bureau of Russia plan to be among the bidders to supply South Korea with up to 36 Ka-50-2 heavy attack helicopters. The two companies also have teamed to offer Turkey 50 of the rotorcraft in a similar configuration. A decision on the proposed sale to Turkey is due early this summer from among three proposals on a short list, while a decision on the sale to South Korea is expected in June 2001 on bids that are due in mid-July.
Boeing, seeking to boost its global credentials, is eyeing more intently joint ventures and potential acquisitions in key markets around the world. ``You can't be a global company by just going around selling things,'' said Harry Stonecipher, president and chief operating officer. ``It's not long-lasting.'' Stonecipher said Boeing wants to have a presence in Europe and Asia, one which will allow it to influence policy in those regions and be viewed as a ``good corporate citizen.''
On final approach to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Orbcomm Chairman and CEO Scott Webster gazes out his window, captivated at the sight of thousands of idle freight cars in the Windy City's vast train yard. More enthralling than the symmetrical configurations arrayed below, however, is the huge business opportunity he sees.
L-3 Communications will install 400 cockpit voice recorders for Delta Air Lines in a retrofit plan for their Boeing 737, 757, 767, MD-11 and MD-88 aircraft.
China will spend $600 million to build, reorganize and expand 20 airports as part of a national thrust to develop its remote western region. Poor transportation facilities are restricting development of the vast area, which is rich in natural resources, according to Song Chaoyi, deputy director general of basic industry in China's State Development Planning Commission. Some of the funding will come from foreign investors, he said. At least five new airports are planned.
The MLM Div. of IAI expects to demonstrate to the Colombian air force and police next month the company's On-Line Airborne Reconnaissance System. MLM also plans to demonstrate the system to the national police in Chile and Venezuela, according to marketing manager Arie Perry. MLM has designed this electro-optic survey and surveillance system for general aviation aircraft being used in narcotics and guerrilla detection activities in heavily forested or mountainous areas. The system is designed to scan up to 300 sq. km. per hr. from up to 10,000 ft.
Under attack for the slow pace of F-22 flight testing, U.S. Air Force officials are fighting back by arguing they can easily meet the test schedule. The program is about 450 test points behind, but USAF officials believe they can erase the deficit. Foremost, with in-flight refueling, longer missions can be flown during which more is accomplished, USAF officials say.
Ball Aerospace&Technologies Corp. was one of four contractors selected by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to perform an 18-month study for the design of the Terrestrial Planet Finder mission.
Blair French, director of supplier management information and communications systems for Boeing in Seattle, has been elected chairman of the Washington, D.C.-based Aerospace Industries Assn.'s Supplier Management Council Executive Committee. He succeeds Fred Finely, vice president-operations for Raytheon Systems Inc. Vice chair will be Judy Northup, vice president-materiel operations for the Northrop Grumman Corp.
Entrepreneur and EchoStar Communications Corp. founder Charlie Ergen has repeatedly defied the skeptics--raising capital without deep-pocketed corporate backers, launching high-powered digital satellites into orbit, capturing a substantial share of the direct broadcast satellite (DBS) market. If there are any skeptics left, they may soon witness Ergen's crowning achievement (not counting his life-long dream of putting a satellite dish in every U.S. home).
Russia is poised this week to launch a two-man cosmonaut crew back to the Mir space station to reactivate the 125-ton vehicle for commercial operations--or prepare it for deorbit if the commercial venture fails. The success of the business strategy will depend on the condition of the 14-year-old station and whether MirCorp., which is partially funding the venture, can obtain more commercial users for downstream operations. The Soyuz TM spacecraft carrying cosmonauts Russian air force Lt. Col. Sergei Zalyetin and flight engineer Alexander Kalen is to lift off Apr.
Lufthansa plans to add Cirrus Airlines, based in Saarbrueck, near Luxembourg, to its network of regional airline franchises. The network, known as Team Lufthansa, already includes Augsburg Airways and Contact Air, also based in Germany, as well as Rheintalflug of Austria, Cimber Air of Denmark and French carrier Air Littoral. The system serves 45 destinations with 35 aircraft and 1,500 flights per week.
Pratt&Whitney and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are discussing a plan to provide full ``nose-to-tail'' aircraft and overhaul component maintenance services to airline customers. The U.S. engine maker is negotiating the agreement with KLM to tap into an annual market that could be worth about $1 billion, Louis Chenevert, president of Pratt&Whitney, said. Initial talks are focusing on expanding Pratt's engine services to include KLM maintenance customers in a joint venture agreement.
Allan Palmer has been promoted to executive director from curator of the San Diego Aerospace Museum. He succeeds Edwin McKellar, who has retired. Mark Davis has become director of cargo and logistics of Global Aviation Associates of Washington.
A former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff calls the U.S. an ``exhausted superpower'' in a prepublication version of his book. A proponent of a high-tech military, Adm. William Owens (Ret.) also firmly rejects the ``conclusion that portrays the [Kosovo] NATO operation as a military victory'' in the book, Lifting the Fog of War, which is scheduled for release in April.
U.S. relations with India have been more or less cranky since the British Raj ended in 1947, and the subcontinent was partitioned between Jawaharlal Nehru's India and Muhammad Ali Jinnah's Pakistan.
Stephen McNally (see photos) has been named director of Dallas-based Bombardier Aerospace Business Aviation Services (BAS). He was operations manager for non-Gulfstream aircraft for K-C Aviation at Dallas Love Field. Bert Moas has been promoted to regional manager for Latin America for BAS from service sales representative at the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., facility. Mark Neihaus has become manager of engine service sales for BAS. Walter Cram has been named manager of sales and support at Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services in Berlin.
Taking an ecotourism trip to the Galapagos Islands, hiking through rain forests and swimming with dolphins just isn't enough anymore. Adventure travelers, always in search of uncharted territory, are looking to space for the next thrill ride of their lives.
