June 19, 1989

View Full Issue Table of Contents

DEFENSE

Defense: Budget Stretching in DOD’s Backyard

BEYOND THE HEADLINES is an untold story: The Department of Defense and many of its contractors are responding to new pressures on cost control and product quality and delivering an unprecedented level of commitment and new vision. Government and industry alike have agreed that previously acceptable norms are no longer acceptable.

PARIS AIR SHOW 1989

Buran Inspection Shows Soviet Shuttle Details

LE BOURGET Detailed inspection of the Soviet Buran space shuttle orbiter at the Paris air show indicates the vehicle has major electrical power, thermal protection and propulsion differences compared with U. S. shuttle orbiters. “Anyone who says Buran is a copy of the U. S. shuttle is a fool,” Yuri P. Semyonov, Buran’s chief designer, told AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY.

By CRAIG COVAULT9 min

172

AEROSPACE FORUM

Boosting Operations at Underused Airports Can Ease Congestion in U.S.

Of late, there has been considerable discussion in the U. S. about the need for additional capacity to serve air transport needs, both with respect to air traffic control and terminal facilities. The general conclusions seem to be that we are in need of an upgraded air traffic control system, including more controllers, and more airports.

130

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Airborne Infrared System Provides Advance Warning of Turbulence

BOULDER, COLO. Turbulence Prediction Systems has developed an airborne passive infrared system that will give flight crews advance warning of an aircraft encounter with low-level wind shear or a clear air turbulence event. The Advanced Warning System (AWS), which is being certified for use on business and airline transports, could begin in-service evaluations this summer on several aircraft operated by a major U. S. airline.

SPACE

Metropolitan Washington: Home of the Next Giant Step

WASHINGTON, D.C., HAS always played a major role in the nation’s space program. But on the threshold of the 1990s, the Capital area has become far more than a place for planning, voting and lobbying. Among other important exploratory and commercial programs, critical work is currently being conducted on the major project of the next decade—a manned space station.

164

AIR TRANSPORT

Thermedics Begins Production of Portable Bomb Detection Unit

WOBURN, MASS Thermedics, Inc., is beginning production of a portable bomb detection unit that can trace the presence of plastic explosives vapor in amounts as minute as one part per 100 trillion parts of air. The portable explosives detection unit, know as the EGIS system, consists of a sample collecting unit that weighs less than 10 lb. including three rechargable nickel cadmium batteries.

By DAVID HUGHES6 min

PARIS AIR SHOW 1989

Agile Sukhoi Su-27 Leads Strong Soviet Presentation

LE BOURGET Soviet Sukhoi Su-27 long-range interceptor, performing at the Paris air show last week in its first appearance outside the Soviet Union, demonstrated that it is capable of controlled flight at angles of attack well beyond those that can be attained by contemporary Western combat aircraft.

PARIS AIR SHOW 1989

Japan Showcases Maturing Space Program, Manufacturing Capabilities

LE BOURGET Japanese participation at the Paris air show highlighted the nation’s maturing space program and broad component manufacturing capabilities. Models of the unmanned Hope spaceplane and its large new H-2 booster were the most impressive elements of Japan’s high technology exhibits here.

Titan 4, Delta 2 Launches Generate Confidence in Military Space Operations

CAPE CANAVERAL Successful first launch of the Titan 4 on June 14 four days after a successful Delta 2/Global Positioning System mission gives the U. S. Air Force new confidence that its space program is on track after being stalled for the past three years.

By EDWARD H. KOLCUM5 min

June 121989

June 261989

June 19, 1989

June 19, 1989

Defense: Budget Stretching in DOD’s Backyard