Jeff has been involved in aerospace journalism since the mid 1990s. Prior to joining Aviation Week, Jeff served as managing editor of Launchspace magazine and the International Space Industry Report. He has been the editor and chief of Aviation Week's Aerospace Daily & Defense Report since 2007 and has been a regular contributor to Aviation Week magazine. He received his B.A. from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
RAILGUN: The Office of Naval Research will test fire an electromagnetic railgun (EMRG) at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Va. on Jan. 31, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. EST. The gun will be fired at more than 10 megajoules of energy, which is a power level never before achieved by an EMRG, according to the Navy.
MESSENGER IMAGES: On Jan. 30, NASA will announce the latest scientific findings and release new images of Mercury taken by the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (Messenger) spacecraft during its flyby of the planet earlier this month (DAILY, Jan. 15). After a trip of more than 2 billion miles, Messenger’s cameras and sensors collected more than 1,200 images and made other observations during the Jan. 14 flyby. Data included the first up-close measurements of Mercury since the Mariner 10 spacecraft’s third and final flyby on March 16, 1975.
BRAZIL RADAR: ITT Corp. has been awarded a sole-source contract by CISCEA, part of the Brazilian Ministry of Defense, to upgrade four PAR-2000 precision approach radar systems sold to the country in 1997. The $9.4 million contract includes spare parts, training, and assistance with operations and technical support. Work at the original Brazilian PAR sites will begin in 2008 and conclude around 2013. The PAR-2000 modernization program is designed to enhance supportability of the system deployed at military airfields throughout Brazil.
