Illustration: Chart: Objective Inc. compares efficiency of its MacroScope software programming tool with a traditional language-Cobol A lawsuit underway in U.S. District Court here pits a large travel agency, owned by the 11 major U.S. airlines, against a small software company. On the surface it's a breach of contract suit for failure to deliver a fully operating system, but underneath are counterclaims and allegations that the travel firm is trying to steal proprietary software used to develop sophisticated travel reservation and management systems.
And Samsung Aerospace of South Korea have agreed to joint development and production of 94 supersonic KTX-2 Advanced Trainer/Fighter Lead-in aircraft for the Republic of Korea. Lockheed Martin will develop the avionics, flight control systems and the wing at its Fort Worth facilities. Full-scale development will begin this year and continue through 2005, and the first flight of a KTX-2 is tentatively scheduled for 2001, according to Lockheed Martin officials. Deliveries will continue through 2009.
Rosemount Aerospace, McDonnell Douglas and Northwest Airlines, is evaluating the HALO Ground Ice Detection System which uses two ultrasonic-based sensors on each wing, a system processor and a cockpit display. Rosemount and Northwest evaluated the HALO system last winter on two MD-82s. Those tests verified that the system can detect and warn pilots of initial ice accretion. Plans call for Rosemount to eventually obtain FAA certification of the installation.
When it comes to stock-price performance, few aerospace companies in the last few years have fallen short of expectations as much as Orbital Sciences Corp. (OSC).
Some uncertainties still surround Lockheed Martin Corp.'s proposed acquisition of Northrop Grumman Corp. (see p. 63)--most notably how it will account for the deal.
Terry Straeter has been named chairman/chief executive officer of Tracor Information Systems, Austin, Tex. He will continue as president of GDE Systems Inc.
Meanwhile, four other Japanese startups are awaiting business licenses but are moving ahead with plans to challenge Japan Airlines, Japan Air System and All Nippon Airways with cheap fares, mainly on domestic routes. Skymark Airlines has reached an agreement with ANA to provide it with maintenance service for its planned domestic routes. Hokkaido International Airlines is negotiating with JAL for maintenance services, also on domestic routes. Pan Asia Airlines wants domestic routes and rights to China. A fourth carrier, not yet named, wants to serve Okinawa.
Illustration: Graph: Sprays make fuel flammable well below the flash point, but require greater ignition energy. Note how different studies with a common participant (J. M. Kuchta) can publish results with up to fourfold difference. This is the second and final part of a review of fuel tank issues brought up by the TWA Flight 800 accident last July 17. The FAA will look at these issues as it determines what action to take among several conflicting views.
Photograph: Clinton: Expansion makes it ``far less likely that the sons and daughters of the United States will be called upon again to fight and die for the freedom'' of Europe. Predictions concerning next year's Senate vote on NATO expansion run the gamut from ``it'll be a squeaker'' to ``overwhelmingly in favor.'' In any case, President Clinton concedes he must mount an intense lobbying effort to prevail when the Senate votes, probably in mid-1998, on the NATO proposal he championed to admit Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic to the alliance.
A five-year, $22-million USAF contract to develop technology for a new air-superiority missile capable of both close-in and beyond-visual-range engagements. The company will design, develop and demonstrate an advanced flight control system with side-thrusting reaction jets on an Amraam airframe.
The fatal collision of a United Express Beechcraft 1900C and a Beechcraft King Air A90 at Quincy, Ill., last November was caused by the King Air pilots' failure to use proper communications and ``see-and-avoid'' procedures at an uncontrolled airport, according to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
Dan Meyer has been appointed executive vice president of KLM Engineering and Maintenance. He succeeds Peter Hartman, who has been named a member of the management board.
Guy S. Gardner, associate FAA administrator for regulation and certification, conducted a tutorial of sorts for members of the House Aviation subcommittee at a hearing on the status of the investigation of the crash of TWA Flight 800. His explanation of the characteristics and flammability of aviation fuel--and how fuel, oxygen and an ignition source relate--was given in layman's terms: how campfires are started or not started, how fast and why water evaporates in puddles, why water boils at a lower temperature at altitude and how car ignitions work.
These titanium dampers, designed to absorb end travel energy on a space-based satellite optical system, have a built-in electrical switch to protect the delicate optical system. The large dampers have output forces of 1,200 lb. and a stroke of 2 in. The small ones have output forces of 500 lb. and a stroke of 1 in. Both use a two-ply welded metal bellows to prevent release of gas during operation in space. Taylor Devices, 90 Taylor Drive, North Tonawanda, N.Y. 14120-0748.
A team working on NASA's Advanced Space Transportation Program is pursuing several small, ``breakthrough physics'' research projects that could have a significant effect on future space flight. The project's approach is to search out and review promising areas where experimental data from astronomy, astrophysics, particle physics and other fields does not fit accepted theories, according to Garry Lyles, manager of the ASTP program at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Cleveland-based NASA-Lewis, however, is leading the breakthrough physics effort.
Expect increasing use of military-type night-vision goggles by police flight departments. According to the Tucson (Ariz.) Police Dept. Air Support Unit, their flip-down, ITT Anvis 9 NVG goggles, which amplify ambient light and automatically adjust to bright city lighting, help police helicopter crews spot suspects quicker and from greater ranges. They also are useful in covertly tracking multiple suspects. The goggles cost about $8,500 a set and can be combined with a video camera to produce a recordable image.
The self-propelled Trolley Weapon Loader W Mk. 2, developed for use by the Royal Air Force, is now available for export. The loader, powered by an air-cooled diesel engine, meets exhaust emissions and noise standards for use within hardened aircraft shelters and can be used over a range of -30-44C. A hydrostatic drive provides positive speed control for loading. The operator controls speed and direction with a single pedal. Portsmouth Aviation Ltd., The Airport, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO3 5PF, England.
President Clinton's nominee to lead Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week that U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf area ``are being stalked'' by terrorist groups. The threat changes as new organizations emerge. Zinni said U.S. forces are well protected, but he added, ``we're being watched and surveilled'' on a daily basis. The biggest concern in the long term is that terrorists might use weapons of mass destruction in the region.
Bob Roemer has been promoted to director of procurement for HRD Aero Systems and HRD Oxygen Systems, Valencia, Calif. He was Eastern and Midwestern U.S. sales director.
Winners of Aviation Week&Space Technology's first Technology Innovation Awards (TIAs) ranged from a new cleaning process that can dramatically extend the life of turbine blades to a low-cost digital radio for civil aviation. Judges, who represented a cross section of the aerospace industry, were asked to consider how innovative products were and how great an effect the candidates would have on the industry. All the winners were featured in Aviation Week articles in 1996.
The Croatian government has received its first Air Tractor AT-802F, which will be used to patrol and fight fires in the country's heavily forested coastal areas. The two-seat aircraft carries 800-gal. of water or firefighting chemicals and is equipped with a GPS navigation system. Janko Zlataric, president of Air Tractor dealer MMCS in Augsburg, Germany, along with two pilots and a mechanic took four days to ferry the aircraft from the Olney, Tex., plant to Croatia.
Japan's Science and Technology Agency is to build and test a Mach 2-class unmanned rocket-powered research vehicle as part of its continuing study of supersonic transport technology. The research is sponsored by the STA's Next-Generation Supersonic Aircraft Research Committee and will be carried out by the country's National Aerospace Laboratory. The agency has received partial funding for the program in this fiscal year and will request additional monies in FY 1998.
John Fritch has become director material for Hughes Data Systems, Irvine, Calif. He was vice president-electronic commodity management for Connor Peripherals.
Illustration: War game participants select which TMAD batteries (blue rectangles) fire missiles (blue icons) against incoming enemy fighters, bombers and cruise missiles (red/white icons). Anew version of software now being validated at the Joint National Test Facility will add realistic cruise missile and other air-breathing vehicles to theater air and missile defense (TAMD) war game scenarios.
