LOCKHEED MARTIN'S STEALTHY DarkStar Tier 3- unmanned aerial vehicle program took about a 60-day slip when a plan to reuse software from another classified UAV program proved too difficult. Taxi tests are now scheduled to begin Dec. 2 with first flight expected before the end of the month. The software involved was intended to manage the flight controls, a key factor for the uniquely shaped flying wing.
The growing role of U.S. regional airlines and the new, highly capable transports they fly are restructuring traditional labor-management relationships. Bitter pilot representation battles likely will develop as the unions at major carriers attempt to organize their burgeoning feeders while limiting them to flying propeller equipment. A shortage of mechanics, especially avionics technicians, is forecast as military pipelines dry up and aircraft avionics content soars.
The Persian Gulf's civil aviation sector is growing fast, gaining momentum from the Dubai air show with sales of large transports, plans for major airport expansion and formation of new airlines. Business jet and general aviation sales also highlighted last week's show, reflecting the traditionally strong Middle East market for luxury aircraft. Among the developments at Dubai:
CONESTOGA'S FAILED DEBUT was caused by faulty attitude data generated by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) shared by the small booster and its Meteor payload, investigators have concluded. The faulty data prompted Conestoga's flight computer to command excessive nozzle movement, causing the vehicle to run out of hydraulic fluid. That immobilized the nozzles, causing the Conestoga to yaw off its flight path and subjecting it to extreme dynamic pressures that caused it to begin to break up. An automatic self-destruct was triggered over the Atlantic Ocean 45 sec.
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES will provide first-stage cryogenic fuel tanks and second-stage liquid oxygen tanks for the new Delta 3 launcher, under an agreement approved by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). In turn, Mitsubishi will import ``major components'' from McDonnell Douglas for the H-2 launcher that Mitsubishi supplies Japan's National Space Development Agency. MITI officials said the agreement covered numerous components.
Commonality, increased capability and low cost are top priorities as Boeing explores potential 747-500X and 747-600X growth versions of its top-of-the-line 747-400 transport. The manufacturer hosted almost 40 representatives from 15 potential airline customers here earlier this month for a two-day conference to discuss next-generation 747 requirements. Top Boeing officials stressed the company has not yet committed to developing either aircraft (AW&ST Nov. 13, p. 17).
ROLLS-ROYCE AEROSPACE GROUP has agreed to transfer information technology support functions to EDS, the $10-billion U.S. information services company. The 10-year strategic partnership is valued at more than $900 million and will result in the transfer of 750 Rolls-Royce staff members to EDS' aerospace group. EDS will set up an aerospace information technology center in Derby, England, to support the effort. One aim of the partnership is to move from a series of existing computer systems at Rolls-Royce to a more integrated network.
Environmental Tectonics Corp., a manufacturer of dynamic flight simulators and centrifuges used in aeromedical research, has developed a low-cost, portable flight training device for familiarizing pilots with spatial disorientation.
HUNGARY'S DANUBIAN Aircraft Co. has signed a purchase order agreement with Saab Military Aircraft of Sweden for production of components for the JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighter. So far, 140 Gripens have been ordered by the Swedish air force, and a follow-on order is expected during 1996. This is the first step to a broader agreement between Danubian and Saab for cooperative production of the Gripen. Through this order, Danubian will be qualified to European and world aviation industry standards.
NASA flight tests indicate that actuated forebody controls can provide fighter pilots with greatly increased ``point-and-shoot'' maneuverability at high angles of attack, especially when coupled with thrust-vectoring systems.
The Armex Blast Cabinet Process cleans, degreases and strips paint from critical components using a formulation that is based on environmentally friendly baking soda. Applications include cleaning turbines, engine starters and other components. The cabinet can accommodate parts up to 60 in. long and 30 in. wide. A built-in waste filtration system captures solid material, while an air filtration system virtually eliminates dust to improve visibility. Church&Dwight Co. Inc., 469 N. Harrison St., Princeton, N.J. 08543-5297.
Citing budget constraints and duplication of facilities, NASA officially closed the 30-X-60-ft. full-scale wind tunnel at Langley Research Center in late October after 64 years of operation.
ValuJet Airlines will expand its route network next month by setting up hub operations in Orlando and Boston. The Atlanta-based carrier, which has pursued an aggressive growth strategy since starting service two years ago, will establish ``focus city'' operations at Orlando International and Logan International airports on Dec. 15.
Labor contract negotiations at U.S. civil aircraft manufacturers are transitioning from pattern bargaining to individual agreements tailored to local and market conditions. Cutthroat foreign competition, sharp downturns in military and airline orders, and massive layoffs have reduced organized labor's clout. Sophisticated new union tactics are emerging, including high-visibility legal, political and shareholder pressure.
TO HELP REDUCE CONTROLLED-FLIGHT-INTO-TERRAIN accidents, an increasing number of operators are requiring cockpit crews to fly nonprecision instrument approaches similarly to precision approaches. In particular, cockpit crews are asked to use a stabilized approach technique and, if adequate visual reference for landing is not achieved, initiate a missed approach immediately upon reaching the minimum descent altitude (MDA). Leveling off the aircraft at MDA to search for the airport environment is prohibited. At least one global carrier adds a 50-ft.
Sigma graphite is optimized for use in electrodes. The material provides high strength, an excellent metal removal rate, a fine surface finish and high resistance to wear. Sigma graphite is available in five grades: 1 for high-detail applications, 2, an all-purpose grade suitable for aerospace use, 3 for fine detailed and threading electrodes, 3c, a copper infiltrated, high-density variety, and F for applications requiring a fine surface finish. Saturn Industries Inc., P.O. Box 367, Hudson, N.Y. 12534.
SHORTAGES OF SPARE PARTS have cut into flight readiness rates of the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of 35 Sikorsky S70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters. The condition likely will persist through next year. RAAF is happy with the twin-engine transports but underestimated the need for spares, particularly parts such as rotor cuffs and gearbox mounts. About $15 million extra has been budgeted for the past two years to build spares inventory, but it will be another year before Sikorsky's production line catches up.
Ross L. Priddle has been appointed Los Angeles-based Pacific regional manager for Air France and Arthur P. Leeds Miami-based Southeast U.S. regional manager. Priddle was South Pacific manager and succeeds Philippe Guihal, who has returned to France. Leeds was Mid-Atlantic cargo zone manager in Washington.
As aircraft engine manufacturers continue to break new ground in employee relationships aimed at forging stronger and more competitive companies, there are still some long-standing labor issues being raised as concerns by union officials. Steven D. Thorne, manager of human resources for the production and procurement division of General Electric's aircraft engine business, said the market downturn during the past four years has provided an opportunity to break down some barriers which existed between management and the skilled workforce.
The IR-712 is a three-dimensional antifratricide beacon that uses an infrared emitter to provide a clandestine combat identification signature at up to 5 km. The beacon can be spotted with night vision goggles and thermal devices operating at 3-5 or 10-14 microns. The unit measures 1.5 in. in diameter and 7.5 in. long. It weighs 20 oz. and will operate on 12 v. d.c. or with a BA-5590 battery. Night Vision Equipment Co. Inc., P.O. Box 266, Emmaus, Pa. 18049-0266.
Building Block Software's CAD/CAM Developer's Kit/2D C-function library, including source code and on-disk documentation, will be offered free. The kit is designed for programmers who write machine control software, specialized CAD/CAM systems and parametric design programs. It supports CAD/CAM operations, including geometry construction, and wireframe display. The kit comes with programs for Windows 3.1, Windows NT, Windows 95, MS-DOS and Unix. Building Block Software, 77 Pearson Road, Somerville, Mass. 02144.
Installation of a terminal Doppler weather radar and other instruments for detection of wind shear has begun at Hong Kong's new Chek Lap Kok airport, which is to open in 1998. The weather radar will be Asia's first and will be operated by the Royal Observatory on behalf of Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Dept. (CAD). The observatory's weather monitoring station will occupy two floors of the 260-ft. airport control tower and one of the seven floors of its control center.
Europe's Arianespace consortium used a record of solid reliability to propel itself to the top of the commercial launch market. Now it is hoping that the upcoming debut of its new Ariane 5 booster will help it blunt some of the toughest competition it has ever faced.
The future of international aviation lies in a group of air carriers that serve whole world regions bonded together by commercial and trade agreements. Region-dominating carriers will replace the national flag carriers that have ruled international skies since the post-World War I era, the aviation scholar Henri Wassenbergh said. The national flag carriers are the ``flying dead,'' the former KLM Royal Dutch Airlines official and Netherlands negotiator said.
The spread of the free market is raising high stakes issues for labor and management. Rigorous competition and change are pressuring management to cut costs as never before. For labor, job security is the chief concern. Contributing Editor James Ott headed the special report team that included Edward H. Phillips, transport editor; Anthony L. Velocci, Jr., senior business editor; John D. Morrocco, London bureau chief; Pierre Sparaco, European editor; Paul Proctor, Northwest U.S. bureau chief; James T. McKenna, Southeast U.S.
