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.
Wind tunnel tests are under way at Ames Research Center and Glenn Research Center to ensure that the removal of foam from certain areas on the space shuttle's external tank will not create potentially dangerous aerodynamic effects.
The industry teams competing for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II effort expect the winner to be chosen in mid- to late April, kicking off a program whose total lifetime value is estimated at $2 billion. Teams led by Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and BAE Systems/Northrop Grumman are vying for APKWS II, a revamped version of the canceled APKWS program led by General Dynamics. APKWS II is adding a laser seeker to the unguided Hydra 70mm (2.75-inch) rocket for use against lightly armored vehicles and buildings.
NASA has given up on making the space shuttle's May launch window and is focused now on launching Discovery in July, Program Manager Wayne Hale announced March 14. The decision to shoot for the July 1-19 window for mission STS-121 followed a two-day meeting on the external fuel tank's engine cutoff (ECO) sensors, one of which is showing warning signs that it may be developing a problem (DAILY, March 9).
