SOFTWARE PROBLEMS cut the 10th test of Boeing Rocketdyne's XRS-2200 linear aerospike engine short at Stennis Space Center last week, but "no significant damage" to the engine was reported. The engine ran for about 75 seconds in a planned 220-second test, meeting all objectives in the areas of throttle rate, thrust vector control, power level and mixture ratio. It was the first early shutdown in testing the engine, built to power Lockheed Martin's X-33 reusable launch vehicle prototype. The next test is scheduled for the coming weekend.
ALITALIA confirmed a deal with Boeing to buy five new 747-400s with three options. The airline ordered General Electric CF6-80C2 engines to power the power the aircraft, scheduled for delivery in early 2001.
Alenia Marconi and Boeing are set to begin flight tests next month of a "Diamond Back" wing kit designed to give the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) higher performance and extended range.
NORTHROP GRUMMAN'S Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector (ES3) announced four senior-level executive appointments at its Baltimore facility, effective immediately. Donald C. Wilhelm, former ES3 director-Air Defense Systems, has been appointed vice president-Airspace Management Systems. George Perkins, formerly director-Air Traffic Management Systems, has been appointed vice president-Space Systems. James L. Armitage, who has held a variety of key engineering management positions with the company, has been named vice president-Engineering, Baltimore operations. John J.
Bell Helicopter Textron is joining Team Cormorant to compete for Canada's forthcoming Maritime Patrol Helicopter contract to replace aging Sea King helicopters, the team said yesterday. If it wins the competition for some 30 helicopters worth up to C$2.5 billion, it said, final assembly of the Cormorant will take place at Bell Helicopter Textron facilities in Mirabel, Quebec. Also known to be in the competition are Eurocopter with the Cougar and Sikorsky with a variant of the S-92. A Russian competitor could also be involved.
Bailing out Russia by paying for its contributions to the International Space Station may be cheaper in the long run than NASA's present policy of holding its Russian purchases to a minimum while building expensive backup hardware, a study panel of the National Research Council has concluded.
Boeing's strike, if it continues much longer, could affect plans to select a winner for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, senior U.S. Navy officials reluctantly told members of the House Armed Services Committee's procurement panel yesterday. The selection, between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, can be conducted without any actual flights so near-term engineering delays are not a large factor, explained Lee Buchanan, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.
David M. Bethune has been promoted to vice president of Customer Administration. He previously held the position of corporate director for Strategic Programs.
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey said yesterday the agency had received a "clean audit" for fiscal year 1999 from the Dept. of Transportation's inspector general, the first year FAA has achieved approval of its financial statements since the audits began in fiscal year 1992. "A clean audit brings the FAA to the standards of private industry for fiscal responsibility," Garvey said.
Stan Dubyn has been appointed chief operating officer and president, will provide executive leadership in acquisitions, business development and operational functions for SpaceDev. Previously, he was chief operating officer and senior vice president at Spectrum Astro Inc. in Gilbert, Ariz.
Britain's Army Air Corps is due to take delivery today of the first of 67 WAH-64 Longbow Apache attack helicopters ordered under a 2.7 billion pound (now $4.3 billion) contract placed with GKN Westland Helicopters as prime contractor in March 1996. Boeing is building eight of the WAH-64s and assembling basic fuselages for the remaining 59 at its facility in Mesa, Ariz. Final assembly, flight-test, delivery and support is being undertaken by GKN Westland in a new purpose-built facility at its Yeovil factory in Somerset.
Mark Burns has been named vice president, Customer Program Management. He will lead a team of customer program managers, the single point of contact for new aircraft customers from contract signing, through manufacturing, completion and entry into service of their aircraft.
Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Inc. has agreed to buy Cordant Technologies Inc. in a deal worth about $2.9 billion, including the cash purchase of Cordant shares at $57 a share, and assumption of $685 million in Cordant debt. Both companies' boards of directors have approved the deal, which calls for Alcoa to buy all outstanding shares on Cordant. In buying Cordant, aluminum-maker Alcoa will gain Howmet Castings, which supplies super-alloy, titanium and aluminum components for aviation and aerospace applications.
Don Wilkins has been named director -- Lockheed Martin Liaison. He succeeds Darrell Hinder, who is returning to the United Kingdom to accept a position within the Helicopter unit.
Joseph Higgins has been appointed chief financial officer and vice president for Finance and Administration. He will be responsible for financial activities and internal operations. Arthur Leaderman has joined the company as chief procurement officer and general counsel. He is responsible for all contracting and subcontracting operations, as well as providing legal counsel to the company.
Douglas B. Solomon, managing director of Macluan Capital Corporation, has been appointed chief executive officer. John R. Reimers has been appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer. Alexander Hogg, president and chief executive officer of Compass, has resigned to pursue other business interests.
The Pentagon's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) has expanded its national missile defense (NMD) environmental impact statement (EIS) to include the effects of using existing Air Force early warning radar sites. The NMD architecture, as part of the proposed system, includes early warning radar facilities at Clear Air Station, Alaska; Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; and Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass.
Linda Billings has been appointed director of Communications. She has 17 years of experience in the field of space commerce. Julia A. Pulzone has joined the company as senior vice president and chief financial officer. She succeeds Mark A. Kissman, who is leaving the company to serve as chief financial officer for a company that is preparing to issue its initial public offering. David A. Rossi, president and chief operating officer, will fill a vacancy on the board of directors created by the death of Chester M.
