Once viewed primarily as a forward-based set of eyes and ears for gathering intelligence, unmanned aerial system (UAS) operators have begun to expand their thinking on how to use their growing fleets. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is experimenting with the concept of forward-basing a UAS equipped with an electro-optical/infrared sensor to provide early tracking and targeting data for ballistic missile launches. Tests have been ongoing since 2009 with Raytheon's MTS-B on a General Atomics Reaper.
“Time For Change” (AW&ST July 12/25, p. 50) presents a truss-braced wing design as a potential option in the field of research for fuel-burn reduction.
I saw my one and only shuttle launch in November 2009 as Atlantis lifted off as part of the STS-129 mission. I will always remember the spectacular sight as Atlantis climbed to orbit, but just as ingrained in my memory was the sound of thousands cheering her on. A sense of pride washed over me. As an engineer, I know the technical genius it took to develop such a vehicle. But I was even prouder of being an American, where dreams like the shuttle program can be made possible.
Airlines are now stuck with the Airbus/Boeing duopoly, so the time could be right for Lockheed Martin go back into the commercial jetliner business. Lockheed has designed and built great commercial airplanes, has a unique expertise in cargo aircraft, and the facilities and workers ready and waiting. In the face of shrinking U.S. and international defense markets, this good be a good move. Outremont, Quebec
Aw, come on guys, look again at your photograph promoting your coverage of the 2011 AirVenture show (AW&ST Aug. 1, p. 6). Nobody goes to Oshkosh to look at a Bonanza! Houston, Texas
On Things With Wings blog see some new patents for dealing with bird strikes: One calls for “a conical mesh screen, attached Madonna bra-style, to the inlet cowling of a turbofan engine.”
In response to an Ares blog on the U.S. Army, since 2004, using $3.8 billion/year on canceled programs: Pappy writes: $18 billion on the scuttled Future Combat System (FCS)? Just to figure out what . . . would not work? Somebody should be behind bars for this travesty. Jenn-N says:
In response to an AW&ST editorial (Aug. 8, p. 66), about the “manufactured federal budget crisis”: KME points out: You say: “No other serious nation, save Denmark, puts a gun to its own head by imposing a debt ceiling to deal with such a problem.” As a Dane, I guarantee we have no such stupid law. We define the next year's budget [and approve it] well ahead of deadline . . .”
Wes Bush has been named chairman of the Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp. He already is president/CEO. As chairman, Bush succeeds Lewis W. Coleman, who has been non-executive chairman and will continue as the lead independent director.
Jim Kane (see photo) has been appointed VP and program manager for the Northrop Grumman Information Technologies Agency program, McLean, Va. He succeeds Sam Abbate. Kane was the company's director of Information Technology Services on the U.S. Missile Defense Agency Joint National Integration Research and Development Contract.
USMC Gen. (ret.) James L. Jones has been appointed a director of General Dynamics, Falls Church, Va. He was President Barack Obama's first national security adviser and had been commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Charles F. Krugh (see photo) is the new senior VP and general manager at Jet Aviation's St. Louis facility. He was general manager of Bombardier Aerospace's Wichita Service Center.
Balram Bheodari has been named interim deputy general manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He was interim assistant general manager for operations, maintenance and security.
Steven Bultman (see photo) has been appointed senior project manager in the Sacramento, Calif., office of Parsons Brinckerhoff. He has managed multiple public works projects, primarily in air and surface transportation, including the terminal modernization program at Sacramento International Airport.
Donald A. Nunemaker has been promoted to president from executive VP and general manager of leasing of Willis Lease Finance Corp., Novato, Calif. He succeeds Charles F. Willis, who will continue as chairman and CEO.
Robert Lummus (see photo) has been appointed VP and general manager of Tempe, Ariz.-based StandardAero Business Aviation's Los Angeles International Airport facility. He was director of operations.
William L. Ballhaus has joined SRA International Inc., Fairfax, Va., as CEO and a member of the board of directors. He was CEO, president and a director at DynCorp International.
James R. Schatz (see photo) has been named head of the Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center and Science and Technology Business Area at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. He was acting managing executive of the Applied Information Sciences Department.
Andrew J. Schmidt has been named senior VP-supply chain at AAR Allen Asset Management, Wood Dale, Ill. He has held senior management positions at Taurus Aerospace Group, Macquarie Capital and Oliver Wyman.
Doug Dillon (see photo) is the new director of Lean Six Sigma at Kansas City, Mo.-based PAS Technologies. He comes from the ATK Salt Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, where he was senior manager of Six Sigma.
Burkhard Andrich has been promoted to senior VP-aircraft component services from VP-engine services at Frankfurt-based Lufthansa Technik, succeeding Johannes Bussman. Stephan Drewes has been promoted to CEO of Lufthansa Technik Malta, following Aloysius Giordimaina, who plans to retire. Drewes was VP-engine overhaul at Hamburg, where he will be succeeded by Bernhard Krueger-Sprengel, who was CEO of Lufthansa Technik Philippines. Gerald Frielinghaus is the new president and CEO of Lufthansa Technik Philippines and was VP-aircraft overhaul and modification services.
