Satellite Tool Kit/Visualization Option 3.1 brings three-dimensional viewing capability to the space mission planning software. The new package allows a user to view real and possible satellite and aircraft paths and ``fly-over'' or ``loop-through'' sequences. In addition, a ``Soft VTR'' capability allows three-dimensional images to be captured. It can be used to provide realistic and dynamic three-dimensional views of spacecraft, sensor projections and orbital trajectories. Analytical Graphics, 325 Technology Drive, Malvern, Pa. 19355.
SABCA of Belgium awarded $1.5 million to Rada Electronics Industries Ltd. of Israel to supply and maintain 20 Fatigue Analyzer&Autonomous Combat Evaluation systems for the Belgian air force mid-life upgrade.
Russell J. Bunio (see photo) has been appointed vice president/general manager of the Materiel Div. of the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group in Seattle. He was vice president-worldwide manufacturing support for the Cummins Engine Co., Columbus, Ind.
The U.S. is facing a dramatic growth in the number of countries fielding advanced cruise missiles that are becoming increasingly capable of thwarting existing air defense systems.
The RFD 251 is a 20.1-in. color, rugged flat panel display that is designed to eliminate the luminance or flicker that is common to liquid crystal diode or LCD displays that are presenting high-contrast, high-density, moving data. The display was successfully demonstrated in a sonar application at the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center. Barco Inc. Display Systems, 2558 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Tucker, Ga. 30084-3893.
MF-500 is a microwave-absorbing, carbonyl iron-based coating in a proprietary aqueous urethane acrylic resin. A thin coat provides broadband radio frequency absorption, along with excellent resistance to ultraviolet light and stability over a wide range of temperatures. Center frequency absorption of the charcoal gray resonant absorber is on the order of -15 to -25 dB. Applications include reduction of extraneous reflections on outdoor radomes, antennas or radar cross section test facilities. Millimeter Wave Technology Inc., 1920 W. Oak Circle, Suite 200, Marietta, Ga.
Kostadin Botev, the former president of Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, has joined the aviation consultancy firm of Simat, Helliesen&Eichner Inc. and will be based in New York.
Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA) has come under fire from an advisory panel. In criticism considered unusual for a first meeting, members of the panel, led by Tokyo University Prof. Masatumi Saito, said NASDA was trying to run too many programs with too few people. One panel member blamed a string of NASDA satellite and launch failures on carelessness and inadequate technical preparation. NASDA officials acknowledged they lacked experience and were not making sufficient improvements.
International Space Station hardware is beginning to flow from Europe with delivery of the first of three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs) by Alenia Aerospazio last week. Alenia is gearing up for more ISS deliveries during the next three years and is taking steps to secure future station service contracts.
Officials of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport say the sprawling North Texas facility was the world's second busiest airport (behind Chicago's O'Hare International Airport) in 1997, recording 851,185 takeoffs and landings and averaging more than 2,300 flights daily. According to Airports Council International, DFW ranks third in passenger counts behind Chicago and Atlanta. DFW predicts flight operations will more than double by 2015, when the airport expects to handle 1.4 million flights and 102 million travelers per year.
This 32-in.-oz. rotary torque sensor can be used for calibrating low-range hand and power tools in aerospace and other applications where correct torquing is critical. It offers accuracy of 0.25% over a range of 3-32 in.-oz. and fits standard 1/4-in. drives. It is compatible with most conventional strain gauge readout instrumentation. RS Technologies Ltd., 37428 Hills Tech Drive, Farmington Hills, Mich. 48331.
A follow-on version of the full-color virtual retinal display (VRD) developed by Microvision of Seattle is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Army late this year. Designed to be head-worn, the 16-oz. unit will have a 1,280 x 1,024-pixel definition and an approximately 30-deg. field of view. It uses beam-splitter optics with full overlap to provide a stereoscopic image, according to A.J. Yarmie, marketing manager for defense and aerospace.
Operating without the troublesome software that has plagued its bigger rival in Hong Kong, Macau's MASC Ogden Cargo Services has seen its cargo volume shoot up nearly sixfold in the past month.
The Quilite modular plastic noise barrier system costs about half as much as conventional noise abatement structures and may cut run-up noise from turboprop engines by as much as 75%, according to its manufacturer. A three-sided demonstration shelter installed at Albany County Airport, N.Y., reduced the sound pressure level from a Saab 340 by 16 dBA. Predictions are that a three-sided, 48-ft. high X 160-ft. wide structure would cut noise by 21 dBA at 1,500 ft. away and by 19 dBA at 2 mi. Quilite International, 8616 LaTijera Blvd., Suite 509, Los Angeles, Calif.
Key components of the shaft-driven lift fan system for Lockheed Martin's X-35 Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator aircraft have completed ``major milestones'' in preparation for accelerated testing next year, according to program officials.
The GPS Receiver Applications Module or GRAM is a single-board unit than can track all satellites in view and acquire their Y-codes in less than 6 sec. The SEM-E-sized unit is equipped with the Motorola Sharpshooter chip that provides for full selective availability/antispoofing (SA/AS) processing and unclassified programming. The GRAM's ability to withstand severe shock and harsh environmental conditions makes it suitable for use in smart weapons. Interstate Electronics Corp., 1001 E. Ball Road, P.O. Box 3117, Anaheim, Calif. 92803-3117.
Roger Bilstein's latest book, ``The American Aerospace Industry: From Workshop to Global Enterprise,'' has been cited by the American Library Assn.'s professional journal, Choice, as an outstanding academic book of 1997. Bilstein is a professor of American history and technology at the University of Houston at Clear Lake.
A new carbon-fiber composite tank for Bell Helicopters has seen its first U.S. use against fires in drought-plagued Texas. The Simplex Model 304 Fire Attack System is approved for use on Bell 412, 205, 212 and UH-1H helicopters. In addition to the composite construction, the new design has a gating system that allows a helicopter to land with the tank doors open, said Robin M. Rogers, operations manager of Rogers Helicopter and Heavy Lift of Fresno, Calif., which is operating a Bell 212 with the conformal tank, in Texas.
Craig Fahning has been named vice president-corporate aircraft sales for Fairchild Dornier, San Antonio, Tex. He was regional sales manager for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Ga.
Tesfaye Aklilu has become vice president-quality of the United Technologies Corp., Hartford, Conn. He has been vice president-quality and business process effectiveness of subsidiary Pratt&Whitney.
David M. Indyke has been appointed process improvement manager for the Mexmil Co., Santa Ana, Calif. He was senior applications engineer for the Imi-Tech Corp.
