Aviation Week & Space Technology

Prof. Robert Farley expressed an important point of view about our national security. We do have too many air forces. Airpower is needed, but not the way it is constructed now. But good luck finding any politician willing to say a separate air force is unnecessary.

“TRDI’s Baby” ( AW&ST July 21, p. 32) states: “The solution was to develop . . . a set of radial vanes or battles . . .” Shouldn’t this be “baffles”? (The reader is correct—Ed.)

Robert Farley’s count of five air forces is too low by a factor of 10. He should have added in all the reserve and state guard air forces. However his basic point has merit, and I hope it engenders a serious debate about the structure of the U.S.’s military aviation resources. Based on my experience, the defense budget could be reduced by 20% with no loss in capability if the remaining 80% was spent more effectively.

June-quarter reports highlight international focus and waning war-related demands

Airspace, skills shortages are obstacles to Chinese low-cost operations

EAA AirVenture highlights product improvements, enduring passion

Britain could move soon to acquire ASW aircraft

Oversight agencies face myriad obstacles to ensuring universal air security

Stealth rewrites the rules for the aerodynamics team behind the U.K.’s Taranis UCAV

Developments in consumer electronics are shaping fast small-satellite production

Move into flight-simulation market rewarded with manufacturer deals for new Textron unit

Belgium considers F-35, other F-16 successors

The Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty has served U.S. national security interests for over 25 years, and still does.

U.K.’s Sentinel in line for possible upgrades

Lockheed Martin is testing 3-D-printed subsystems on A2100 space bus

Shared computing could provide long-term solution to global flight monitoring

ATV retirement opens new chapter in U.S., European space cooperation

Europe’s future ISS role complicated by next-gen launcher debate

Limited F-22, F-35 firepower magazine drives USAF investment plans

Success has trumped the severe skepticism that greeted the nascent Airbus and its offerings

Jonathan Archer has become director of engineering and airworthiness for the Washington-based General Aviation Manufacturers Association. He was an associate with Booz and Co., working on projects for the FAA and Joint Planning and Development Office.

Carl Trustee (see photo) has been appointed as vice president of Landing Systems Solutions for the Aerospace Group of Crane Aerospace & Electronics, Lynnwood, Washington. He was head of the Central Engineering Group at Parker Aerospace.

Don Casey has been promoted to senior vice president from vice president-revenue management for American Airlines.

Johann Panier (see photo) has been named CEO of U.S.-based Barfield Inc., which Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance recently acquired. He was head of business development for AFI KLM E&M.