Landa has introduced a line of industrial pressure washers with cleaning power ranging from 4-10.6 gal. per min. with 2,000-4,000 psi. of pressure. All four are skid-mounted and encased in a rugged steel cage. All feature water-cooled Lombardini engines--from 15-23 hp.--with the following features: 4-stroke diesel; indirect fuel injection; pressure lubrication; automatic excess fuel device for cold start ease; and electric start with full instrumentation and fuel shut off solenoid for convenient keyed starting and stopping. Landa Inc., 4275 N.W.
NTT Mobile Communications Network Inc. has chosen Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and Orbital Sciences Corp. to develop the N-Star for launch in early 2002.
The Lexair type 22J wrench operated collet chuck has a workpiece capacity of 2.4 in. Operated manually with a standard chuck key, they do not require a draw bar or cylinder for actuation. Concentricity can be adjusted using radial setscrews and a dial indicator for optimum accuracy. They feature universal flat back design and are fitted to lathes, grinders and indexers by using a standard Lexair adapter plate.
Crossbow Technology's HF Series of low-noise, wide bandwidth accelerometers for vibration and shock measurements feature sensors compatible with both current source and voltage mode systems. The sensors use SoftSensor embedded software to compensate for sensor inaccuracies, provide algorithms for stabilization, navigation and other crucial functions in both analog and digital outputs. Crossbow Technology Inc., 41 E. Daggett Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95134.
The U.S. Justice Dept. has cleared the way for AlliedSignal and Honeywell to merge--provided they divest significant portions of their avionics businesses. Now all that remains for the two companies to complete their $16-billion transaction is a green light from the European Commission. Company officials expect that to come by year-end. But it is unlikely that EC approval will be granted without conditions similar to those imposed by U.S. regulators, according to Washington-based officials.
The successful live-fire demonstration of directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) technology against heat-seeking missiles will strongly influence the future airborne EW systems market. Previously, decoy-flares were the primary defense against IR-guided missiles, which are responsible for 80-90% of aircraft combat losses.
Megadata of Greenwich, Conn., has installed its air traffic tracking system at four more airports in the U.S. The proprietary technology, called passive secondary surveillance radar (Passur), uses phase-lock radar techniques and specialized software to help airports track flights and monitor noise. In addition to the visual airspace picture the system gives users, its predictive modeling software provides accurate estimated arrival times, according to company Vice President James T. Barry.
ATS has developed a light, powerful line of fansinks under the name BalticCool. Model ATS 97-09-039-wf is 40 X 40 X 20 mm. (including the fan) and is one of the lightest fansinks in its class at 28 grams. But it is also powerful, with a thermal resistance of 0.78 deg. C/W (12 volt operating voltage). There is no need for a mechanical attachment--an adhesive conductive tape is used for attaching the BalticCool to the device. Advanced Thermal Solutions Inc., 89 Access Road, Norwood, Mass. 02062.
Raytheon's ALE-50 towed RF decoy proved its worth in this year's Kosovo conflict with a ``significant'' number of observed ``saves,'' according to Ray L. Hanle, Jr., general manager of Rathyeon's EW Operations here. It protected F-16 fighters and B-1B bombers, and wingmen or the pilots themselves saw enemy missiles go for the decoys, often leaving just an empty towline. Pilots call the ALE-50 the ``Little Buddy.''
Italy has agreed to acquire 12 C-27Js, effectively making it the first customer for the transport produced by the Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems joint venture. The aircraft, which would replace Italian air force G222s, are to be delivered from 2001-04.
Michael Schanck has become manager of safety affairs and operations for the Washington-based General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. He was a Jetstream 41 first officer for Atlantic Coast Airlines.
These photo chemically etched RF shielding cans with patented removable covers allow internal components to be replaced or repaired without damaging the surrounding shield. An etched line on the surface is broken to minimize RF leakage. The tab connecting the lid to the shield can be snipped and resoldered in seconds, cutting downtime. Available in brass and 10-10 steel with solder plating, the shields protect components from radio frequency and electromagnetic interference and environmental hazards while providing electrical grounding.
Four U.S. major airlines, two each already paired by close business relationships, have formed a joint venture to operate an independent travel Web site. The partnership of United, Delta, Northwest and Continental will offer the first multiairline travel portal. The site will offer access to real-time flight information and ways to purchase airline tickets, hotel rooms and rental cars. It also will offer search features for trips by schedule and by price.
The radio-frequency countermeasures portion of the integrated defensive electronic countermeasures (IDECM) system for the Navy's F/A-18E/F now appears to be ``over the hump.'' The most challenging issue remaining is to obtain a more rugged tether for its towed decoy. IDECM also is intended for USAF's B-1B to upgrade its defensive avionics.
The Swedish Space Corp. has contracted with French manufacturer Reims Aviation for the delivery of two MSS 5000 Maritime Surveillance Systems to be installed on F406 aircraft for the Hellenic Ministry of Mercantile Mariner.
The punctuality of scheduled flights in the U.K. remained steady overall in the second quarter of 1999, but on-time performance of charter airlines decreased 6% compared with the same period in 1998. Although 70% of flights arrived on schedule, the proportion of on-time charter flights decreased to 45% during the quarter ending June 30--down from 51% the previous year.
IBM Global Services will maintain AlliedSignal's mainframe, midrange and help-desk operations under a multiyear, information technologies contract valued at up to $550 million.
Industry and congressional officials are skeptical about whether the Pentagon can fix the problem of low stock valuations in the defense industry about which Deputy Defense Secretary John Hamre has expressed concern.
A breakdown in cockpit resource management is being examined as a contributor to the overshoot of the runway of Qantas Flight QF1, a Boeing 747-400, on Sept. 23, at Bangkok, according to sources close to the investigation.
Icelandair is moving toward an all-Boeing 757 fleet. The Reykjavik-based carrier has sold and leased back its three 737-400s and plans eventually to replace them and accommodate planned growth with four new 757s, one to be delivered each year through 2003, according to Leifur Magnusson, senior vice president of development and fleet planning. Two of the jets will be stretched -300 versions. Icelandair operates six 757-200s configured with 189 seats.
XC-2L is a lubricated, carbon-fiber reinforced material for high-load bushing/bearing uses. The XC-2L is one of the few dry running capable materials available. In comparative testing it exhibited half the wear of carbon at 12,000 PV against condition 1075 stainless steel 17-4 PH. Its wear rate was 700 times less than bronze material. It's well-suited for rotary, reciprocating and thrust-bearing applications. EGC Corp., 11718 McGallion St., Houston, Tex. 77076.
The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Dept. has revealed that the China Airlines MD-11 that crashed on Aug. 22 at Chek Lap Kok Airport landed in a crosswind of 28 kt.--4 kt. above the airline's operating procedures for wet-runway landings. But China Airlines has defended its flight crew claiming its pilots followed all operating procedures. The airline says the pilots landed based on the information given to them and that a Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 had landed just ahead of the MD-11 (AW&ST Sept. 27, p. 44).
With another NASA spacecraft scheduled to arrive at Mars in less than three weeks--this time for a landing--the board investigating the failure of Mars Climate Orbiter has raised concerns about the descent propulsion system on Mars Polar Lander. The NASA Mishap Investigation Board was formed to find the cause of the Sept. 23 Mars Climate Orbiter (MCO) failure as the spacecraft entered orbit around the planet, but has also been in a race against time to see if there are any problems that could affect the lander mission.
Duane A. Manning (see photos) has been appointed vice president-spares sales and Eric Jensen vice president-operations for the Raytheon Aircraft Parts and Inventory Distribution Co., Wichita, Kan. Manning was director of marketing and new business development and Jensen director of continuous improvement, both for Raytheon Aircraft Montek
