U.S. and Russian Space Station managers have developed a new assembly schedule that pushes launch of the first full-time Station crew and the U.S. Laboratory Module from 1999 to 2000 to accommodate additional delays in completing the Russian Service Module. The proposed schedule would also add two more U.S. Space Shuttle flights that would cover a near-term shortfall in Russian Progress cargo capsules. The first of those flights would deliver cargo to the uninhabited Station in August 1999, before the first crew arrives in January 2000.
Litton's Electron Devices Div., San Carlos, Calif., won a contract from the U.S. Air Force's Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB, Ga., to repair all Band-8 Traveling Wave Tubes (TWTs) used in the AN/ALQ-161A electronic countermeasures system on the B-1B bomber. The company said yesterday that the 1999 requirements are estimated at $4.2 million, and that the 10-year contract holds a maximum potential value of about $72 million.
The Pentagon's Joint Requirements Oversight Council has cleared the way for the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps to go their own ways to meet their tactical unmanned aerial vehicle requirements. The JROC accepted a recommendation from the services to allow them to pursue separate air vehicles to meet their TUAV performance requirements, according to Defense Dept. and industry officials.
"Odyssey," an ocean-going oil platform converted into a mobile space launch pad for the Boeing-led Sea Launch venture, arrived at its home port in Long Beach, Calif., Sunday as work on the international partnership's first launch early next year resumes in the wake of technology-transfer issues with the U.S. State Dept.
After completing engineering and manufacturing development of the Predator Short Range Antitank Weapon, Lockheed Martin will receive a sole source production contract under which almost 6,000 units could be built in the first five years.
The U.K. Ministry of Defense has issued an invitation to tender for short term needs for strategic airlift. The government, announcing the action on Oct 1., said the Strategic Defense Review identified a requirement for four C-17 airlifters, or their equivalent, to meet a shortfall in strategic airlift capability (DAILY, July 9). It said the competition to fill the requirement would be run in parallel with one to meet longer term requirements to replace the country's aging air transport fleet.
TOMAHAWK LAND ATTACK MISSILES have been tested to assess their Year 2000 computer bug vulnerability. A Sept. 24 ground test series included simulated test runs that included a Dec. 31, 1999, launch with a Jan. 1, 2000, target impact; a launch in 2000; and a Feb. 29, 2000, launch. The test culminated in a live missile launch. The missile's internal clock was set to believe the launch took place at 11 p.m., Dec. 31, 1999. The Block II missile flight lasted 191 minutes. The Navy said no anomalies were detected. Testing with a Block III Tomahawk is planned for November.
A provision in the final version of the fiscal 1999 defense authorization requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress within six months of enactment a management reform plan to cut duplication in service laboratories and test and evaluation centers. The defense authorization has cleared Congress and needs only President Clinton's signature to be enacted.
Testing of a long-range anti-aircraft missile specifically designed to attack radar observation aircraft like the U.S. AWACS is underway at Russia's Kapustin Yar missile range, according to Russia's Independent Military Review. Said to be a derivative of the S-300 anti-aircraft battery, with a modified missile based on either the SA-10 or SA-12, the unnamed system has a range of 400 kilometers instead of the 150-200 kilometers available with the SA-10 and SA-12.
Veridian has completed its acquisition of Pacific Sierra Research Corp., its third such move this year. Veridian, formed in 1997 through the merger of Calspan SRL Corp. and Veda International, said the PSR buy strengthens its position as a provider of intelligent information technology. The acquisition is expected to boost Veridian's 1998 annual sales to more than $320 million.
Human space explorers of the coming century are likely to get to their destinations around the solar system in swift "space taxis," while the equipment they will need to survive once they arrive will have been shipped ahead on "slow boats" that can move large payloads efficiently, according to NASA Administrator Goldin.
Despite a congressional cut of almost $30 million in procurement and research and development for the fiscal year 1999 AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile program, the U.S. Air Force has preserved a critical processor upgrade that it considers vital for AMRAAM growth. Congressional appropriators trimmed $20.9 million from the $114.6 million AMRAAM procurement request - the saving the AF said it got from Raytheon's acquisition of Hughes Missile Systems Co. - and about $8 million in R&D.
Lockheed Martin has upgraded the processor of its X-35 Joint Strike Fighter prototype to allow handling of some complex flight control laws, and determined that the jet will be more than 2,000 pounds below the specified not-to-exceed weight, the company said Friday following completion of its JSF final design review.
Three B-2 bombers that have been in Guam for about a month are slated to return to their home at Whiteman AFB, Mo., later this week. The B-2s have flown more than 20 missions from Andersen AFB on the Pacific island, including drops of Joint Direct Attack Munitions on test ranges. It was the second deployment to Guam this year for the stealth bombers.
The Pentagon has decided to postpone the next test of the Theater High Altitude Area Defense missile by three months, until the first quarter of next year, sources said Friday.
Cutting the high cost of reaching orbit remains NASA's top technology priority, says Administrator Daniel S. Goldin, but don't look for "gimmicks" to do the job.
The competition between Boeing's F-15E and Lockheed Martin's F-16 for next year's $2.5 billion Israeli fighter procurement may end in a virtual tie. While an all-F-16 order would be for between 40 and 60 aircraft and all-F-15E buy would likely include up to 25 of the interdiction fighters, a split buy is also an option, says an industry official.
