CoPilot 1553 is a Microsoft Windows 95 or NT-based graphical program for simulation, development, testing and monitoring of Mil-Std-1553 avionics data buses. The software can be used to control all hardware features available on Ballard 1553 interface cards. Bus controllers and remote terminals can be defined quickly and characterized, even as complex, multiterminal systems. Once the bus is running, data values may be observed and modified on the fly. Ballard Technology Inc., 3229A Pine St., Everett, Wash. 98201.
This week's summit of President Bill Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin could be the most important bilateral meeting in 25 years, U.S. China experts say. A follow-on to the summit here is scheduled for 1998 in Beijing.
This Flir zoom lens provides magnification of up to 22.5 times for 3-5 micron staring focal plane arrays in indium-antimonide (InSb) forward looking infrared devices. The zoom ratio can be used in both the super wide field of view used for navigation and detection and very narrow field of view used in long-range recognition and identification in the zoom-in position. Controp Precision Technologies Ltd., P.O. Box 611, Hod Hasharon, 45105 Israel.
The Versatile Huffer Unit is a portable air starter that can be used to start engines on H-60 and VH-60 helicopters when their own air starting systems are inoperative. It also can provide 20 kw. of 400 Hz. electrical power. The device was fabricated at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Patuxent River, Md. The VHU uses the same components as the huffer, which reduces spares requirements and eases maintenance. The VHU weighs 477 lb. fully fueled. Business Development Office, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Div., Patuxent River, Md.
AN ``INNOVATIVE WAR-FIGHTING CONCEPT'' demonstration by Eglin AFB's UAV Battle Lab will use a Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle to determine locations of ``threat emitters'' and to then transmit this information by data link to F-15s and F-16s in flight to quickly ``attack'' these targets. The demonstration is scheduled for early 1998 in New Mexico. The Hunter will be outfitted with a LR-100 ESM system, built by Litton Industries' Amecom Div., which was used for 1996 tests at the Navy's electronic warfare range at China Lake, Calif.
In spite of the controversy surrounding the launch of the Cassini spacecraft to Saturn, NASA is likely to stand firm in the use of plutonium-powered radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for planetary missions beyond Mars, where there is too little sunlight for solar power. Cassini carries three RTGs with a total of 72 lb. of plutonium ceramic. But NASA, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Energy Dept. are working on advanced RTGs that are more efficient in generating electricity with less nuclear material.
Boeing's supplier crunch is boosting Canada's aerospace industry. Both Boeing plants in the country are nearing full capacity and the Seattle-based company just awarded a $75-million contract to Bristol Aerospace, Winnipeg, to make composite parts for the 737 transport. New equipment also has been moved to manufacturing facilities formerly owned by McDonnell Douglas Canada. Boeing traditionally purchases about 10%, or $900 million, of Canada's annual aerospace exports.
The five airlines of the Star Alliance network have formally accepted a sixth member, Varig of Brazil, amidst signs of growing concern within the European Commission about the impact of such alliances on airline competition. The Star Alliance, comprising Lufthansa German Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Thai Airways International and Scandinavian Airlines System, was formed in May (AW&ST May 19, p. 27).
Formal agreements with Germany and Italy to launch a trination program to significantly enhance the capabilities of the HARM (AGM-88) antiradar missile are expected to be signed before year-end. The new version, called AGM-88D Block 6, will add a GPS navsat receiver and inertial navigation sensor (GPS/INS) to facilitate hitting the intended target if the enemy radar shuts down after missile launch. The new capability also should reduce the risk of HARM attacking a friendly radar if the intended target stops emitting.
THE FIRST TWO TORNADO GR4 aircraft are to be delivered by British Aerospace to the Royal Air Force this week, the initial installment in an upgrade program that will allow the aircraft to remain in service through 2018 or beyond.
NASA's recent award of eight contracts to supply quick-reaction spacecraft buses for space- and Earth-science missions signals a departure from the agency's traditional acquisition process. By selecting companies to build buses ahead of time, then compete for a particular application, NASA expects to obtain completed spacecraft within 18-36 months at a firm fixed price.
NASA ANNOUNCED two new spacecraft missions. The $67-million High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager will launch in 2000 to investigate solar flares. The $65-million Galaxy Evolution Explorer will launch in 2001 to explore the origins of galaxies and stars.
THE DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY is funding the USAF's Rome Laboratory and the University of California at Berkeley to develop the computer-aided design environment for modeling single-chip radio architectures. The three-year effort is funded at $3.7 million.
IRAN HAS INTENSIFIED ITS WATCH over the U.S. fleet in the Persian Gulf. Fiberglass body target drones have been newly employed to keep track of the fleet along with the usual allotment of U.S.-built P-3 Orions and patrol boats. Iranian officials said the UAVs' use was in retaliation for U.S. spying on their war games in the area, which involved 100 vessels. The aircraft carrier Nimitz arrived in the gulf last week, two weeks ahead of schedule.
Regional aircraft makers are jockeying for a slice of the 70-seat jet market while keeping an eye over their shoulders on Boeing as forecasts indicate a growing shift toward larger turbofan-powered aircraft.
U.S. authorities say Russian organized crime appears to be steering clear of nuclear theft and smuggling, but warn that the potential for criminal involvement is serious and immediate. They also warn of ``immense gaps'' in U.S. intelligence on Russian crime organizations and of the increasing likelihood that such groups will find their way into the Russian military. All agree the threat should be accorded a higher priority by the Clinton Administration.
THE ``THRUSTSSC'' JET-POWERED CAR has broken the sound barrier four times on land, and tentatively set an official land speed record of Mach 1.017 at Black Rock Desert, Nev. The U.K. team, led by Richard Noble, is the first to definitively drive supersonically and is returning home to savor their victory (AW&ST Oct. 6, p. 28). Driver Andy Green set the record on Oct. 15 with a north run at 9:09 a.m. reaching an average speed of 759.3 mph. over a mile, or Mach 1.015. The required run in the other direction was made at 10:04 a.m. reaching 763.0 mph., or Mach 1.020.
Construction of a new, 20-gate terminal at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Tex., is proceeding toward its scheduled opening for passenger traffic in May 1999. Another five gates would be added later that year. The city is spending about $537 million to convert the former Bergstrom AFB into its primary commercial airport. When the new facility begins operating, Austin's Robert Mueller Municipal Airport is scheduled to be closed, but plans call for converting it to non-aviation activities.
F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., is the chairman of the Committee on Science of the U.S. House of Representatives. A Republican, he has represented the Ninth Congressional District of Wisconsin since 1979. Although his state has little direct interest in space, he has been a long-time supporter--and friendly critic--of NASA.
Richard T. Dagiel has been promoted to manager of corporate quality from assistant to the vice president-engineering of the NTN Bearing Corp., Mount Prospect, Ill.
The Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn, the largest, most complex and expensive planetary flight ever undertaken by the U.S. and Europe, is outbound on what promises to be one of the great explorations of the early 21st century. Cassini is this week already 2 million mi. from Earth, essentially falling toward the Sun and the inner solar system on the first leg of a circuitous 2.2-billion-mi. voyage to Saturn following a precise launch Oct. 15 and initial checkout of the plutonium powered vehicle in deep space.
