January 5, 1959

January 5, 1959

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EQUIPMENT

USAF Tests Synthetic Hydraulic Fluids

By Michael Yaffee

MISSILE ENGINEERING

Thiokol Stresses R&D on Rocket Motors

By Craig Lewis

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Designers Weigh Quiet vs. Cost Penalty

By David A. Anderton

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7071
EQUIPMENT

USAF Tests Synthetic Hydraulic Fluids

New York—Need for high temperature hydraulic fluids in advanced aircraft and spacecraft is being met by the development of synthetic chemical compounds for operation in the 4001,000F range. The first 400F fluid has been qualified under Air Force specification MilH-8446A and will be used in the hydraulic system of the Convair B-58.

By Michael Yaffee

4243
MISSILE ENGINEERING

Thiokol Stresses R&D on Rocket Motors

Marshall, Tex.—Experience of Thiokol Chemical Corp. at its rocket plant here shows that manufacturing solid propellant rocket motors is a production job that involves a heavy dose of research and development. Working for stable, volume production of solid rocket powerplants, Thiokol’s Longhorn Division not only has to contend with constantly advancing solid rocket technology, but is in a continuing search for new, more efficient means of producing the motors.

By Craig Lewis

5455
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Designers Weigh Quiet vs. Cost Penalty

Hucknall, England—Development of turbojet noise suppressors at RollsRoyce Ltd. has now reached the point where: • Units can be designed to meet specific but reasonable silencing requirements with bearable penalties. • Major design problem is determining what losses can be borne by a prospective operator of suppressed-turbojet aircraft.

By David A. Anderton

3435
SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Zero Gravity Effects Largely Unknown

By Brig. Gen. Don Flickinger

1819
Space Technology

Van Allen Defines Space Radiation Belts

Two distinct bands found by Pioneer III, Iowa scientist tells American Astronautical Society.
6667
AVIONICS

Compact Reflector Has ECM Potential

Rome, N. Y.—A new type of reflective antenna array that operates over much wider angles of incidence than the conventional corner reflector has been tested here at the Air Force’s Rome Air Development Center laboratories. The technique could be used in applications ranging from electronic countermeasures and air traffic control of light aircraft to space communications relay satellites.

By James A. Fusca

2425
MANAGEMENT

Contracting Changes Planned in Congress

Washington — Defense Department contracting policy will be a major issue in the new Congress which opens this week. The first attempt in 12 years will be made to rewrite and update military procurement law. Sen. Leverett Saltonstall (R.-Mass.) will promptly introduce legislation giving legal recognition to contract by negotiation (see page 25).

By Katherine Johnsen

1213
EDITORIAL

Killian's White House Role

(The responsibilities and scope of the office of the special assistant to the President for science and technology have remained obscure since the post was created in the post-Sputnik fall of 1957 when Dr. James R. Killian, then president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was summoned to Washington.
9495
EQUIPMENT

Sperry Develops High Density Gyro Fluid

New York—High density of the new bromotrifluoroethylene gyro damping fluid used in Sperry Gyroscope’s inertial guidance package for the North American X-15 now appears to be an even more important characteristic to many engineers than material’s low temperature fluidity (AW Dec. 29, p. 25).

By Michael Yaffee

2829
AIR TRANSPORT

Economists Predict New Traffic Growth

Upswing in airline business after 15-month lull forecast on basis of general economy outlook.

By L. L. Doty

MID-DECEMBER1958 January 121959