Hughes' DirecTV unit has ordered a new HS-601HP satellite to expand system capacity and replace a faulty satellite. The high-powered spacecraft is slated for launch in mid-1999 to replace DBS-1, which suffered a failure of its primary spacecraft control processor on July 4 and has been operating on a backup unit (AW&ST July 27, p. 29). The new spacecraft, which will be collocated with DBS-1, DBS-2 and DBS-3 at 101 deg. W. Long., will provide DirecTV with capacity for 20 additional Ku-band direct-to-home channels. DBS-1 is slated to remain in orbit as a spare.
Pressure to cut military high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle programs from two to one will continue to grow, according to a senior Air Force official. Lockheed Martin's stealthy DarkStar has a disadvantage because its top altitude of 45,000 ft. will be ``only about half as high as it needs to be,'' he said. Many insiders foresee the appearance of a compromise aircraft that would offer some stealth and an air-refueling capability for multi-day operations. This UAV wouldn't have to be as stealthy as DarkStar, but it would have to carry a payload comparable to Global Hawk.
With increasing pressure on prices and costs, aerospace contractors are looking to new manufacturing technologies to streamline their operations, lower labor requirements and increase efficiency. Unlike automotive and other mass-production industries, however, parts and systems makers in the cyclic aerospace industry cannot rely on high production volumes to quickly amortize multimillion-dollar investments in new equipment. The emphasis is on flexibility, high precision and speed.
NASA and Boeing are evaluating advanced composite wing stitching techniques at the Marvin B. Dow Stitched Composites Development Center in Huntington Beach, Calif. Wing sections made from carbon-fiber material put together here eventually will be used in full-scale ground test off a 41-ft.-long, half-span wing representative of an advanced commercial transport, according to Gerald Janicki. He's director of strategic development for Boeing's Phantom Works research organization.
Until recently, consolidation of major systems integrators have largely overshadowed forces shaping how lower tiers of the aerospace supply chain will look in the future.
Unigraphics has used a name change and initial public offering to raise its profile as a provider of end-to-end software for computer design, manufacturing, engineering and product data management. The strategy began unfolding in January when Electronic Data Systems Corp. converted Unigraphics into a wholly owned subsidiary and renamed it Unigraphic Solutions. It continued in June with an initial public offering of Unigraphics' stock on the New York Stock Exchange.
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Andrew A. Granuzzo (see photo) has been named director of the Environmental Protection, Safety and Occupational Health Div. of the Office of Chief of Naval Operations in Washington. He was deputy commander-in-chief of the Iberian Atlantic Area, a NATO post in Portugal.
A Korean Airlines Boeing 747-400 skidded off a rain-soaked runway at Seoul's Kimpo International Airport and injured 26 passengers on the eve of the anniversary of last year's fatal crash in Guam that killed 226.
Thomas R. Stelter (see photo) has been named director of quality of SimuFlite Training International, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. He was director of engineering.
GenCorp Aerojet received a multimillion dollar contract from Boeing to design a dual-combustion ramjet engine. The engine will provide an advanced propulsion system for one of two hypersonic missile concepts Boeing is developing.
Researchers at Stanford (Calif.) University completed precision approach trials of the FAA's planned Wide Area Augmentation System in Juneau and Sitka, Alaska, last week. The week-long flight tests, performed in a Beechcraft Queen Air light twin, evaluated Global Positioning System accuracy at high latitudes with differing satellite-in-view geometries. Correction data was relayed by a communications satellite and back-up VHF data link.
Gen. Howell M. Estes, 3rd, who just retired as commander of the U.S. Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo., has received the Order of the Sword. Estes was cited for his contributions to the enlisted force through leadership schools, creation of a human dignity program and establishment of a mentorship program for officers and enlisted personnel.
Boeing launched its long-expected streamlining campaign last week with a plan to shutter 21 million sq. ft. of factory, office and warehouse space by 2000 and centralize its fighter, satellite, space transportation and military activities.
Neilson A. Bertholf, Jr., Phoenix aviation director, is the first recipient of the Lawrence J. Truitt Award presented by the American Society for Public Administration Section on Transportation Policy and Administration. The award recognizes contributions to the field of transportation policy and administration. Earlier in the year, Bertholf received the Chairman's Award of the National Conference of the American Assn. of Airport Executives. The award recognizes contributions to the profession of airport management and the airport and community served by the winner.
High costs have prompted Japan's airlines to move out of downtown Tokyo. All Nippon Airways is the latest to make the jump, deciding to give up leased facilities in town in favor of its own headquarters building near Haneda, the city's domestic airport. Japan Airlines has already moved to a building it owns near Haneda and Japan Air System is making the move to Haneda as well.
European Commission competition authorities slammed a recommendation by the U.K.'s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to allow British Airways and American Airlines to sell takeoff and landing slots they must relinquish as a condition for approval of their alliance.
Aviation agencies and airlines worldwide are rushing to make sure that critical computer systems, from aging mainframes to miniature devices that control elevators and door locks, will operate uninterrupted at the turn of the century.
Logica, a U.K. consultancy, has created a search engine called INFEO (Information about Earth Observation) for the European Commission's Center for Earth Observation program that provides a ``one-stop shop'' for users looking for satellite data and services from a variety of sources. Information on INFEO is available at http://www.ceo.org/
Cincom Systems of Cincinnati is integrating its Control enterprise business package with Ortems' advanced planning and scheduling (APS) system. Lyons-based Ortems is best known in North America by the food and beverage industry, but in Europe it has more of a manufacturing base, counting Aerospatiale among its customers. The Airbus partner recently chose Ortems APS system to address work-in-process issues with a goal of improving just-in-time delivery rates for aircraft assemblies.
Boeing's AH-64 Apache and Eurocopter's Aussie Tiger variant attack helicopters are regarded as leading candidates to replace Australia's Bell 206B-1 and UH-1H helicopters. The Australian Defence Force last week issued formal invitations for proposals for the Air 87 $750-million replacement program. The ADF has allowed considerable range for innovative solutions for Australia's requirements, including local industry participation. Six companies have indicated interest.
