CROATIA'S ANXIETY OVER the continuing occupation of eastern Slavonia by Serbian troops is diminishing, the allied commander in Bosnia said on a trip here to brief President Clinton. U.S. officials earlier had said a military push into the remaining occupied area of Croatia might come before the spring thaw. But Adm. Leighton W. Smith, Jr., said, ``We might have been able to damp the enthusiasm of the Croatians a little bit.'' Smith also said reconnaissance aircraft are keeping possible mass grave sites under observation ``for abnormal activity.''
Federal Express has introduced a Windows-based, multilingual shipping software that permits users to track inbound and outbound packages either by their FedEx waybill number or a company purchase order number. The multilingual software is intended for offshore users and is being introduced first in Europe, then in Asia and Latin America.
A device to give U.S. troops an electronic umbrella of protection against incoming anti-personnel mortar and artillery shells is en route to Bosnia. The device, called Shortstop, is produced by Whittaker Corp. It detects the weak radio frequency (RF) signal from the proximity fuze of an incoming projectile and transmits a false signal that causes it to detonate hundreds of meters in the air and short of the desired impact area.
Boeing is nearing initial definition of its proposed 747-500X and 747-600X derivative transports and has scheduled additional advisory group and airline visits early this year. 20 Still to be resolved is the degree of cockpit and centralized maintenance system crossover with Boeing's new 777 transport. Various wing and nacelle configurations are scheduled to undergo wind tunnel tests this winter; initial trials began in July.
U.S. AIRLINES WERE QUICK TO HOWL about a $1-billion loan to Russia's ailing Aeroflot (see p. 35). ``Given the Administration's ongoing opposition to fuel tax relief, we find the loan to be a slap to airlines and their employees,'' said Carol Hallett, president of the Air Transport Assn. Already miffed by the reimposition of the 4.3 cent/gal. tax on jet fuel that will cost airlines about $530 million this year, Hallett said the White House clearly has a ``blind spot'' in its view of the airline industry.
Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston has been confirmed by the Senate as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), a promotion that is thought to be an opening move in a complicated financial game to increase the Pentagon's procurement budget by as much as 50%. The Pentagon's involved financial plan to increase procurement by around $20 billion per year from the current anemic $39 billion was outlined by two recent events.
The Export-Import Bank's loan of $1 billion to Russia to produce Ilyushin Il-96M/T transports will facilitate business opportunities for U.S. manufacturers and lead to long-term aviation trade relationships, according to U.S. aerospace industry officials.
ANOTHER DECISION AHEAD FOR CONTINENTAL AIRLINES: ordering a new 50-seat jet aircraft. The airline is looking primarily at the Canadair Regional Jet and Embraer EMB-145 and hopes to make a decision in 60 days. With the acquisition of new Boeing aircraft and the retirement of older models, including its Airbus A300s, Continental's average fleet age came down to 12.7 years at the end of 1995 from 13.5 at the end of 1994. Scheduled for delivery this year: two more Boeing 757s and three more 737s.
Trackspad stainless steel, sealed keyboards are designed for use in harsh environments and meet NEMA 4X ratings. They are available with 42, 96 or 128 keys. Individual mechanical keyswitches are rated for more than 20 million cycles. They are protected by a 2-mm.-thick steel plate and a polyester front sheet that resists many corrosive chemicals, oils and greases. Computer Keyboard Systems, 1640 Fifth St., Suite 224, Santa Monica, Calif. 90401.
Alexis Allen has been promoted to vice president-communications from director of media relations of the Washington-based Aerospace Industries Assn. She succeeds Herbert E. Hetu, who has retired.
Asian Aerospace '96 is an air show that has a limited appetite for flying. The daily flying routine is just one hour and tightly controlled. The exhibit requires a shutdown of Singapore's Changi Airport, one of Asia's busiest. But even if they could, the show's organizers would only increase the flying display by a half hour at most, Managing Director Jimmy Lau said.
The BackCycler is a dynamic lumbar support that is designed to improve the comfort of passengers in first and business class seats. The device's inflatable bladder is filled with air from an electrically driven pump. Varying the amount of support can relieve backaches, stiffness and discomfort that develop after hours of sitting in a confined space. Ergomedics Inc., 15 Tigan St., Winooski, Vt. 05404.
ORBITAL SCIENCES CORP. kicked off commercial service Feb. 1 for Orbcomm, the world's first commercial satellite-based, two-way global non-voice messaging and positioning system. Two Orbcomm satellites have been in orbit since April. Another 24 satellites are slated to be launched in bunches of eight in 1997.
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS WILL FLY an optically signaled, electrically powered aileron trim system on its MD-87 testbed in March. GEC Aerospace is providing the actuators. The trim-by-light system replaces the MD-87's existing mechanical aileron trim controls. The flight trials will evaluate system weight, cost, reliability, responsiveness and maintenance requirements. Potential applications include adaptation to McDonnell Douglas transports.
Uniseal self-sealing fasteners are designed for applications with high anti-leak requirements and low-volume production. Applications for self-sealing fasteners include electronic enclosures, cryogenics, brake and fuel systems, engines and instrumentation, as well as drain and fill plugs. AAR Hardware, 1111 Nicholas Blvd., Elk Grove Village, Ill. 60007.
Obie Johnson has been named director of tactical information systems and Robert Askin director of combat identification systems and platform integration for AlliedSignal Communications Systems in Baltimore. Johnson was business development manager for E-Systems, and Askin was AlliedSignal's senior business manager for command, control, communications and intelligence.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES EXPECTS TO INCREASE capacity systemwide by 2% in 1996, with growth focused at its hubs at Newark, Houston and Cleveland. The Houston hub is slated for an 8% increase, with eight new destinations to be announced in the next two months. Carrier executives are evaluating whether service at Greensboro, N.C., can be maintained under its policy that everything the airline does must make a cash contribution to the bottom line. The 40 flights a day from Greensboro, down from 60, generate enough revenue to cover cash outlays but not to compensate for overhead.
2The ELT 200 is a compact emergency locator transmitter that meets requirements of FAA Technical Standing Order C91a. The unit measures 2.5 X 2.75 X 6.5 in. and weighs 2 lb. The ELT 200 is shipped with transmitter, battery pack, mounting bracket, remote switch, antenna, coaxial cable, installation kit and instructions. Artex Inc., P.O. Box 270, Canby, Ore. 97013.
The U.S. Defense Dept. is conducting tests of space-based global broadcast systems this year, evaluating how this potentially high-payoff technology can be exploited for a variety of missions.
Terry Bernstein has been named senior technical analyst for the McClier Aviation/Aerospace Group of Chicago. He was vice president/assistant director of aviation and transport facilities for Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum.
The Slimline 8.6 Retractable Monitor System is available for Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft. The color, 8.6-in. flat screen can provide optimum viewing angles for up to nine passengers. The monitors automatically stow when power is removed or when they are struck from behind. The design prevents needless, turbulence induced self stows and features a slip clutch. The system comes complete with video panels for Boeing passenger service units. Monitor controls are adjusted via an infrared remote. Sony Trans Com, 1833 Alton Ave., Irvine, Calif. 92714.
This ruggedized, high-definition intensified camera is equipped with a charge coupled device sensor with more than 2 million pixels, making it ideal for helicopter pilotage, wide-area, all-light surveillance and low-light microscopy. The sensor and the camera's 25-mm., Gen 3 intensifier amplify light by more than 30,000 times, ensuring high resolution in sunlight and starlight. A gain control algorithm images detail that is hidden by shadows. The camera runs at a true 60 interfaced fields per sec., weighs less than 4 lb.
Citing an unsafe condition not covered by current certification rules, the FAA plans to issue an airworthiness directive by May forbidding virtually all turboprop-powered regional airline aircraft from flying in freezing rain and drizzle.
