TRIMBLE NAVIGATION WILL PROVIDE GPS receivers and antennas to Glenayre Technologies of Charlotte, N.C., for use in its digital paging networks. Glenayre plans to install several thousand custom Trimble AcutimeII GPS modules on transmitter controller towers in network control systems. The GPS time signal will be used as a common ``master clock'' to synchronize Glenayre's transmitter/controller towers, which the company expects will allow the paging network to operate more efficiently and provide more accurate, faster service.
GM Hughes Electronics Corp. of Los Angeles has named Kenneth N. Heintz vice president-corporate development. He was an audit partner with Deloitte and Touche.
John B. Munson, former vice president/general manager of Unisys Space Systems, has been inducted into the National Management Assn.'s Hall of Fame for accomplishments including founding and directing the world's first software mass-production facility.
RESEARCHERS AT THE MASSACHUSETTS Institute of Technology are refining a device that allows computer workstation operators to ``touch'' the three-dimensional object they are designing on their screens. Dubbed Phantom, the apparatus eventually will provide aerospace designers tactile feedback when crafting finely sculpted surfaces and other detailed work using computer-assisted design software, according to J. Kenneth Salisbury, principal research scientist at MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
Allison Engine Co. of Indianapolis has appointed Tommy H. Thomason (see photo) vice president-small aircraft engines. He was president of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada.
Orbital Sciences Corp. (OSC) and Magellan Corp. have signed a merger agreement under which Magellan will retain its name but operate as part of OSC's communications and information systems group. Under the agreement, Magellan, a leading supplier of hand-held global positioning system receivers, is expected to expand its business base by designing, producing and marketing hand-held radio sets that will operate on OSC's ORBCOMM satellite communication network.
Scientific and Technical Analysis Corp., Fairfax, Va., has named Gary E. Foster (see photo) executive director for intelligence services. He was deputy director for planning and coordination of the Central Intelligence Agency.
General Electric has begun tests of an advanced core engine that could lead to thrust increases of about 5% in its CF6-80C2 and -80E1 engines. Core improvements coupled with new fan technology would allow the CF6 series to remain viable for another 20 years, GE officials said (AW&ST June 21, 1993, p. 65). Improvements also would enable the engine family to meet the propulsion needs of future aircraft requiring 60,000-75,000 lb. of thrust.
Atlas Air is hiring ex-military pilots and flight engineers to fly its expanding fleet as the available pool of experienced Boeing 747 air crews continues to shrink. Although the initial cadre of Atlas 747 crews consisted primarily of ex-Pan Am and TWA employees, about 70% of the air cargo company's new-hires are former military officers and senior enlisted personnel. They typically are 15-year retirees who have time in Lockheed C-5 or C-141, Boeing KC-135 or other large aircraft. Many have been flying presidential-fleet transports at Andrews AFB, Md.
Telephonics Corp., Farmingdale, N.Y., has named Richard A. Goldman (see photo) vice president-commercial operations communication systems. He was director of commercial operations for the Communication Systems Div.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has honored Mohinder Malik for his engineering work at Lufthansa Technik, Hamburg, Germany, with a Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award. The award recognizes Malik's work to eliminate chemicals that harm the ozone layer.
Crane Co., Burbank, Calif., has named Raymond W. Boushie (see photo) president of its Hydro-Aire Div. He was vice president/general manager of the Sterer Div. of Vickers, Inc.
WESTINGHOUSE WILL SUPPLY 157 APG-66(V)3 radars to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for use on its F-16 fighter aircraft, under a $195.8-million foreign military sales contract. Seven pre-production systems are to be delivered the first quarter of next year, with production deliveries of four systems per month starting in January, 1996. Three pre-production systems ordered in September have successfully completed flight tests in Taiwan, according to the company. Westinghouse has produced more than 5,000 APG-66 and its derivative APG-68 radars for the F-16 aircraft.
The FAA is trying to accelerate the installation of 47 Terminal Doppler Weather Radar systems in the wake of a USAir DC-9 crash this summer in Charlotte, N.C., involving a severe microburst.
A U.S.-Ukrainian joint venture company is studying the potential application of Ukraine's automated spacecraft technology for U.S. military satellites and commercial civilian uses. The firm, called Orbita, has a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) contract to evaluate guidance, control and checkout techniques that allow the former Soviet Union's spacecraft to operate autonomously in orbit for long periods of time.
EXPECT CONTINUED EMPHASIS on flexible, self-directed work teams at European maintenance centers as they struggle to remain competitive. Two years into its ``Phoenix'' reorganization project, efficiency is up 33% and output has increased 3% at KLM's maintenance and engineering division. The gains come despite more than a 16% workforce reduction over four years, to 4,100 employees. The job cuts included layers of management. Third-party maintenance work now represents almost 50% of the semi-autonomous division's $688-million annual revenues.
Universities, the aerospace industry and government laboratories have responded eagerly to NASA's call for smaller, less expensive planetary science missions, proffering dozens of innovative proposals. The U.S. space agency is now scrutinizing a thick stack of requests to fly by, orbit, land on, roam over and even return samples from various planets, moons, comets and asteroids. And by next month, NASA will select a precious few to pursue seriously. Eventually, the agency expects to anoint one or two for development.
SCIENTISTS AT SANDIA National Laboratories have developed what probably is the world's fastest engine, capable of rotating at speeds up to 500,000 rpm. without flying apart. The electrically driven micro-machine, not much larger than 1 mm. across, has strong potential for defense and commercial products once perfected and integrated with batch-built silicon chips. The test engine, fabricated from polycrystalline silicon, resembles an old steam locomotive with its connecting rod driving a toothed, 50-micron-dia.
THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY, Pasadena, Calif., is interested in transferring conductively coupled thermoelectric converter technology it developed to industry. The long-life, solid-state arrays are used to convert heat flow into electricity. Potential applications range from use in 1,000C furnace walls through simple home appliances. The converter uses silicon germanium cells that can be electrically interconnected to provide up to several hundred volts of direct current, according to Vincent Truscello, project manager for the SP-100 space reactor program.
The French national space agency CNES is seeking govern- ment approval to develop a series of small spacecraft to broaden science mission opportunities at lower cost. If the new mission series is approved in 1995, France would invite other European countries or the U.S. to cooperate in the program that would get underway by the year 2000.
FAA OFFICIALS permitted Leisure Air to resume limited flight operations Nov. 25 after executives of the airline took steps to redress shortcomings in its flight operations, maintenance and record-keeping. Agency officials permitted the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based carrier to resume operations with four of its five Airbus Industrie A320-200s. Before the carrier halted operations last month, it also operated a Boeing 757 and two McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10s.
ARIANESPACE'S V-70 Ariane 4 launcher failed to place in orbit the PanAmSat PAS-3 satellite during launch Dec. 1 because of a third-stage propulsion problem. The Hughes-built HS-601 communications satellite was destroyed after the third stage failed to reach orbit. The mission was Arianespace's first with the increased-performance H10 3 third stage. PanAmSat managers said PAS-3 was fully insured and the private company plans to launch a replacement within one year using already-built components for a spare satellite.
David P. DuBois, a staff software specialist in Unisys Corp.'s Data Systems Engineering Dept., has received NASA's Go the Extra Mile Award for important contributions to astronaut training.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES' Silk Air regional subsidiary gave Fokker a boost in Asia last week by ordering two of its new 70-seat twinjets over the Avro RJ70. Silk took a lease with option to buy on deliveries next March and October. The Dutch manufacturer reports that acceptance of the Fokker 70 has prompted it to increase production plans next year to 27 aircraft. It reached an agreement on financing for 10 aircraft (with five options) for Indonesia's Sempati Air early last month. Fokker says it holds five confirmed purchases from Indonesia's Pelita Air Service as well.
