The FlightMonitor cockpit computer relies on an AMD-K5 133-MHz. processor to provide Pentium-class performance. The unit also includes a 1.6-gigabyte hard drive, 16 megabytes of RAM, a 10.4-in. color liquid crystal display and a touch pad interface. The FlightMonitor also has serial, parallel, keyboard, mouse, external VGA and PCMCIA ports. The unit comes standard with Microsoft Windows 95. It can be interfaced with a GPS receiver to provide moving map technology in the general aviation cockpit. AvroTec, 115 N.W. First Ave., Suite 401, Portland, Ore. 97209.
The year began with fresh warnings that U.S. cities face a growing probability of death and destruction by terrorists, militias or other ``transnational'' groups using low-yield nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. Some analysts now rate biological weapons the greatest threat--with nuclear second and chemical a distant third--because biotechnology innovations have made handling and preserving biological agents much easier. Unfortunately, says security analyst Richard K.
The upcoming United Arab Emirates fighter buy will probably be the largest export fighter purchase until the end of the decade. This perennially delayed decision, now scheduled for early 1998, isn't particularly large. Covering only about 80 medium fighters, it's dwarfed by Taiwan's 1992 150-unit F-16 and 60-unit Mirage 2000 buy. But the decision will be made against a volatile backdrop. It will help determine how close the U.S. fighter primes are to achieving their goal of vanquishing their European competitors in the world fighter market.
The FS-1883 is a 20-slot, 6U VME hardpoint chassis that is ideal for rugged, high-altitude applications. It meets both Mil-Std-810E shock and vibration specifications and Mil-Std-461C EMI/RFI requirements. The unit, made of welded aluminum with stainless steel hardware, comes standard with a 1,600-w., three-phase a.c. power supply. It can accommodate rack-mount, ATR and custom hardpoint mountings. AP Labs, 5871 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, Calif. 92121.
BOEING HAS RENAMED THE MD-95 aircraft the 717-200 as part of the company's decision to continue MD-95 production and development beyond the current launch order for 50 aircraft. It is the second former McDonnell Douglas commercial transport program Boeing has decided to support since the company's merger with McDonnell Douglas last year. A decision was announced in November to continue building the MD-11 transport.
Real-time medical electrocardiogram data have successfully been transmitted from an inflight transport to a ground site via satellite. Boeing provided the MD-11 for the tests, which took place over the southwestern U.S. for an unnamed potential customer. A Honeywell MCS-6000 satcom and CM-250 communications management unit with ``secure voice'' capability resulted in a robust communications link, according to Jay Zebovitz, Honeywell principal engineer.
The LMS-Q140 Laser Mirror Scanner relies on time-of-flight measurement of short laser pulses in the infrared region to provide accurate measurements. Applications include obstacle detection and collision avoidance, airborne laser scanning and robotic vehicle position sensing. The angular deflection of the laser beam is captured by a rotating polygon mirror with four reflective surfaces to allow four scans per second. Riegl Laser Measurement Systems, 8516 Old Winter Garden Road, Suite 101, Orlando, Fla. 32835.
With well over 2,000 jet transports on backlog and more than 700 scheduled for delivery in 1998, all the signs indicate we are approaching the high point of the jet transport ``boom'' cycle. Yet the market is displaying some very unusual characteristics for an upturn.
These intrinsically safe, rated load-sensing clevis pins and bolts rely on a force-sensing transducer and an internal strain gauge. A built-in 4-20 milliamp amplifier provides output for monitoring of the strain that the device is encountering. Applications include aerospace, engine testing and explosives. Strainsert, Union Hill Industrial Park, West Chonshohocken, Pa. 19428.
The airline industry's healthy growth is expected to continue in the foreseeable future, although economic uncertainties are increasing in the Pacific Rim. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), passenger traffic in 1997 grew a strong 8% and cargo soared 11%. In addition, seat load factor slightly rose to 69% on domestic routes and a record 70% on international services, a trend that theoretically paves the way for increased profitability.
The MTM 10 and MTM 20 hand-held thickness gauges are designed for measuring the wall thicknesses of nonferrous materials, including chemically milled aluminum and advanced composites. A magnetic probe is placed on one side of the object, while the target steel ball follows the probe on the other side. Using a 1.5-mm. ball, radii as small as 0.30 in. can be measured. A 3-mm. or 5-mm. ball is used for measuring materials of up to 0.300 in. Krautkramer Branson, 50 Industrial Park Road, Lewistown, Pa. 17044.
E.H. Industries has been selected by Canada to provide 15 AW520 Cormorant helicopters for search and rescue operations, a move which gives the Anglo-Italian consortium an inside track for a further requirement for up to 35 more maritime helicopters.
The Grand 51 is a composite, turbine-powered aircraft based upon the legendary P-51 Mustang. The aircraft is now in ground test and should fly in the first quarter. The airframe and flight control surfaces are constructed of carbon-fiber epoxy. The wing is based on the P-51H but shortened to a span of 32 ft., while the fuselage conforms to the dimensions of the P-51D. The aircraft is powered by a Lycoming T53-L701A engine producing 1,450 shp. with full feathering and beta control. The top speed of the aircraft will be about 450 mph. and range should be 1,300 mi.
The Model 0070J Flap Position Transmitter is a plug-and-play replacement for current cam and microswitch devices in DC-9 aircraft that makes use of environmental control technology to prevent a build up of moisture inside the FPT. A labyrinth seal prevents liquid penetration but allows vapor to escape, while the higher temperature inside the housing keeps moisture from building up. The new model experiences up to 75% fewer transmitter failures than the original design. Rosemount Aerospace Inc., 14300 Judicial Road, Burnsville, Minn. 55306-4898.
Precise Mirror Mounts are designed to hold optics in the 0.5-4-in. size range. Ultra-compact versions for pin or base mounting are ideal for OEM applications with small round or square mirrors. A sprung kinematic design provides for tip and tilt adjustment about the optical axis of the mirror or beamsplitter. For applications at 45 deg., the L-shaped back-plate design maximizes available clear aperture. Coherent Auburn Group, 2303 Lindbergh St., Auburn, Calif. 95602-9595.
The Main Drive System works like a normal socket wrench, but the release mechanism is incorporated into a knob at the end of the handle. In addition, the knob can be turned to loosen or tighten a bolt in locations where there is insufficient room for turning the whole wrench. The tool also has a nonratcheting, direct-drive setting. The wrench, designed with assistance from engineers at Wright Laboratory's Flight Dynamics Directorate, can be used for low-torque bolt spin offs and spin ons, as well as high-torque loosening and tightening. Main Tool Corp., 4127 S.
AeroReality is a real-time, three-dimensional image generator designed around the Silicon Graphics InfiniteReality graphics workstation. The graphics generator provides the features required for FAA Level D flight quali- fication and creates photo-textured, 3D surfaces. IVEX terrain databases incorporate photo and procedural textures to deliver precise height and depth perception cues. IVEX, 4355 International Blvd., Norcross, Ga. 30093.
