Some 15 years after presiding over the genesis of the stealth bomber program, U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry was given a close-up look at the fruits of his labor last week when he flew in a B-2 at Whiteman AFB, Mo.
EMS Lite is a mechanical computer-aided design package that offers advanced solid modeling and drafting capabilities. The streamlined version of Intergraph's Engineering Modeling System, it provides parametric feature-based modeling tools usually available only in high-end CAD software. EMS Lite provides seamless interoperability and full data compatibility with other Intergraph products. Other features include associative modeling, profile sketching, assembly design, associative drafting and detailing, and integration with analysis and manufacturing.
U.S. Air Force officials say the service's aging fleet of C-141 transports will be retired from active duty units by 2003, well ahead of earlier schedules, and that they are planning for a C-17 force that could range from 40 to as many as 141 of the new aircraft.
ALLIEDSIGNAL has begun tests of the Lycoming Common Core engine. The core is expected to serve as the heart of a 7,500-shp. turboprop for regional aircraft. Turbofans based on the core could generate from 12,000-lb. thrust to as much as 20,000-lb. thrust.
The Anglo-Italian EH101 was certificated simultaneously last week by the aviation authorities in Britain, Italy and the U.S., paving the way for civil operations of the large helicopter. Both the 30-seat passenger transport and a passenger-cargo version with a rear ramp were certificated by the U.K.'s Civil Aviation Authority, Italy's Registro Aeronautico Italiano (RAI) and the U.S. FAA.
The 8.6-in. liquid crystal diode SlimLine video monitor is designed to retract into the aircraft cabin's ceiling when not in use. The monitor can provide optimum viewing for as many as nine passengers in three rows. The SlimLine has a profile of less than 1.75 in. but features the same video quality as Sony Trans Com's standard 8.6-in. LCD monitor. The monitor deploys and retracts electrically. The unit is compatible with the Airbus moveable class divider, features an active matrix color LCD screen and weighs 10 lb.
Alaska Air Group has appointed John F. Kelly executive vice president/chief operating officer of Alaska Airlines. He was chairman of Alaska Air subsidiary Horizon Air Industries. Harry G. Lehr has been promoted to senior vice president-planning and finance of Alaska Airlines from vice president-planning. Kathleen H. Iskra has been promoted to president/chief executive officer of Horizon Air from staff vice president-finance/controller of Alaska Airlines and group controller.
NASA is seeking bids for a new class of space launch services after U.S. industry proposed a vehicle filling a performance gap between the Pegasus and Delta 2 boosters. The space agency's goal for the new booster, designated the Medium-Light Expendable Launch Vehicle, or Med-Lite, is to launch half a Delta payload at the same cost per pound. Bids are due Feb. 1.
The FAA is revising its policy on amateur-built aircraft ``to keep the program viable'' and make kit aircraft purchasers aware of legal pitfalls associated with the use of surrogate builders. ``The amateur-built program is a good one,'' but the FAA needs to further clarify and emphasize what that program really means,'' Michael Gallagher said. He is manager, production and airworthiness certification division, at the FAA.
THE PENTAGON HAS DOOMED ANOTHER PROGRAM, the Air Force's fighter-launched, kinetic-kill vehicle, which is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles within seconds of launch. The death warrant arrived when Larry Lynn, the Pentagon's advanced technology chief, began hunting for extra funding for advanced concept technology demonstrations (ACTDs). A total of $515 million for Fiscal 1996 and succeeding years was taken from Air Force and Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) accounts. About $143 million came directly from the BMDO's kinetic-kill vehicle coffers.
The Defense Dept.'s analysis of the pending Lockheed/Martin Marietta merger is almost complete, with a formal recommendation to the Federal Trade Commission anticipated soon, according to industry and government officials. While the Pentagon is widely expected to urge that the transaction be allowed in its present form, it has been under intense antitrust review since late September. Company officials are taking nothing for granted.
TWO WOMEN military pilots are among the 19 new astronaut candidates NASA selected. They are Navy Lt. Susan L. Still, an F-14 pilot at the Oceana, Va., Naval Air Station, and USAF Maj. Pamela A. Melroy, a C-17A developmental test pilot at Edwards AFB, Calif.
U.S. AIR FORCE OFFICIALS HAVE PROPOSED a Fiscal 1996 budget that would ease the earlier $150-200-million hit suggested for the F-22 program, but would retire the entire F-111/EF-111 fleet. That would be a blow to Air Combat Command, which keeps its jamming aircraft constantly deployed to Italy and the Middle East to protect allied aircraft from Bosnian Serband Iraqi air defenses. The Air Force would have to rely on slower Navy EA-6Bs.
The Model IM-103 three-axis magnetometer is designed for use on small spacecraft where size, weight and power requirements must be minimized. The device provides continuous vector measurements of the Earth's magnetic field as the spacecraft orbits. The spacecraft's magnetic attitude control system then can generate commands that stabilize the attitude and spin rate. Other applications include autonomous navigation and attitude determination. The IM-103 will meet Mil-Std-461/2 electromagnetic interference testing requirements. It measures 6 X 1.4 X 1.4 in. and weighs 8 oz.
The FAA will allow Boeing to begin a 1,000-flight service-ready trial of the PW4084-powered version of the new 777 transport with related engine ground tests only half complete. A trouble-free performance of the 1,000-cycle flight program, while not critical to timely FAA certification of the basic airframe, is key to Boeing's plan to introduce the twin-engine 777 into revenue service with the maximum allowable 180-min. diversion time to the nearest suitable airport.
Cockpit head-up guidance systems offer aircraft operators both a safety and competitive advantage and likely will see expanded use in the world airline fleet. Lockheed already has specified HGS as the primary flight display system in its new, two-pilot C-130J transport. It will be equipped with pilot and copilot HGS displays. Portland-based Flight Dynamics is further expanding the capability of its HGS products by integrating traffic-alert collision avoidance system avionics and other cockpit safety systems.
THE GOVERNMENT OF BRAZIL has sold off most of its stake in Embraer, placing control of the aircraft manufacturer in the hands of private domestic and foreign investors. Investors acquired 55.4% of the voting stock of Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. for $182 million in an auction on the Sao Paulo stock exchange Dec. 7. Of that amount, $35.5 million is to be injected as capital into the company. Foreign investors acquired 33% of the stock.
The U.S. Air Force's Wright Laboratory and the Oregon Air National Guard are flight testing an advanced derivative of JP-8 fuel that offers a 50% increase in the propellant's heat sink capability. The year-long program involving 18 Pratt&Whitney F100-200 engines will provide the Air Force with data on how the new fuel can help cut maintenance costs by eliminating gums, tars and other materials that form as a result of heat-induced fuel degradation.
JAPAN'S HIGH COSTS have prompted the Keidanren, an influential group of major companies, to ask the government for regulatory relief. In aviation matters, the Keidanren want to extend the validity of airworthiness inspections from 12 months to two years for business jets and turboprops, helicopters and sightseeing aircraft. Besides the high cost of preparing for such inspections, there usually is a long wait, as the Ministry of Transport has insufficient inspectors, the group said.
Soloy Dual Pac, Inc., is building flight and test stand experience on its new Dual Pac twin-engine powerplant and combining gearbox in preparation for FAA certification. Initial application for the novel powerplant unit will be a stretched Cessna Grand Caravan 208B retrofit performed by Dual Pac parent, Soloy Corp. The Olympia, Wash.,-based company already has acquired one Caravan fuselage to check fit of the aircraft modification. Later this aircraft will be used in ground static tests.
Israel Aircraft Industries has completed the first fire control radar for the Arrow antiballistic missile system and begun a test and calibration program, according to the Ministry of Defense. IAI's Elta Electronics Industries subsidiary designed and built the radar, which is the largest and most sophisticated ever developed in Israel. The radar system is capable of detecting ballistic missiles launched against targets within Israel and directing the Arrow antimissile missile.
A judge this week is to weigh competing proposals to lead Piper Aircraft Co. out of its four-year-old bankruptcy and make the manufacturer profitable again. Judge Robert Mark plans to hear arguments on the competing plans Dec. 15 at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Miami. Originally set for Nov. 30, the hearing was put off after Kaiser Aerospace and Electronics and Teledyne Continental told the judge they were revising their proposal to include an auction for Piper.
CAE, INC., WILL ESTABLISH a presence in Australia with its acquisition of Ferranti Computer Systems (Australia) Pty, Ltd., from Ferranti International, Plc. A new company will be created--CAE Electronics (Australia) Pty, Ltd.--as a center of excellence for training equipment and control systems for Australia and Southeast Asia. Business will include civil and military flight simulators and visual systems as well as control systems for ATC, maritime and energy systems.
