March 12, 1962

View Full Issue Table of Contents

SPECIFICATIONS

Leading International Aircraft, Military and Civil

ARGENTINA Fabrica Militar de Aviones (Instituto Aerotecnico) Condoba AUSTRALIA Comm. Aircraft Corp. Pty., Ltd. Port Melbourne, Vitoria BELGIUM Avions Fairey S. A. Gosselies BRAZIL Sociedade Construtora Aeronautica Naive, Ltd. Botucatu, San Paulo Canada Ltd. Toronto, Ontario Canadair Ltd.

126

MISSILES

Missile Development Emphasis to Shift

Operational status expected late this year for Minuteman, third USAF intercontinental ballistic missile to reach combat readiness, will mark a shift into a new gear for U. S. missile research and development. Complemented by the Polaris fleet ballistic missile on station in nuclear submarines, USAF ballistic missile strength will be divided into Atlas and Titan liquid propellant missiles in semi-hardened coffin or fully hardened silo complexes, and the solid propellant Minuteman which will be dispersed in holes over wide areas.

114

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Soviet Union Plans Multi-man Spacecraft Firing, Planetary Shots Next

Soviet Russia is expected to maintain its lead over the U. S. in manned space flight this year by launching the multi-man spacecraft that it eventuallv will use for circumlunar flights and lunar landings. Russia can also be expected to take advantage of astronomical conditions this year to send instrumented “space laboratories” to Mars and Venus.

By George Alexander16 min

144

AIR TRANSPORT

Trunk Merger Pattern Begins to Emerge

Washington—Domestic trunkline industry, depressed by a faltering traffic market and dwindling profits, is now resigned to following the merger course as the most logical route to financial stability. The merger fever has afflicted all but a few carriers.

By L. L. Doty14 min

276

INTERNATIONAL

Britain Seeks to Kindle Export Revival

London—British aircraft industry, still beset by the inevitable uncertainties of its massive regrouping efforts, is slowly slimming itself down to the size necessary for its existence in British and international markets. With a more flexible policy of expanding beyond the shores of Great Britain primarily through international agreements in the U. S. and Europe, the industry is taking a hard look at the economics of maintaining its present position.

By Herbert J. Coleman13 min

204

SPECIFICATIONS

Rising Budgets Intensify Cost Scrutiny

New York—Bigger Fiscal 1963 U.S. defense and space budgets channeled into program packages promise a growing, more stable market for the aerospace industry but at the same time are likely to complete and solidify the reshaping of the industry begun by advancing technology.

256

BUSINESS FLYING

Business Flying Regains Note of Optimism

Reductions in field and factory airplane inventories and improvement in the general economy reflected in customer buying moods are signs that 1962 will be a more favorable year than 1961 for business aircraft manufacturers. Barring any sharp dips in the general business climate, there is even a possibility that the industry will set new records for dollar volumes that would top the 1960 all-time high of more than $200 million.

By Erwin J. Bulban13 min

228

AVIONICS

Government Funds Boost Laser Research

Optical masers arc emerging as the prime target of an unexpectedly large number of government-funded research and development programs, principally because of the enormous potential these new sources of electromagnetic radiation offer for aerospace applications.

By Barry Miller12 min

246

HELICOPTERS

Military Sparks Helicopter Growth Revival

New military orders of four helicopters will set the pace for rotary-wing aircraft development during the coming year. Two of these orders will buy development on new types: a light and a heavy helicopter for the U. S. Marine Corps. Two more will purchase off-the-shelf types for two U. S. Air Force missions: missile site support, and support of offshore Texas Towers.

By David A. Anderton12 min

172

AIR TRANSPORT

World Airlines Hope for 1962 Traffic Rise

World airlines in 1961 generally were pinched financially by a slowed growth in traffic just as capacities swelled to new highs with entry of fleets of jet aircraft into service. Last year, patterns of jet service had been established over world-wide routes.

March 51962

March 191962

March 12, 1962

March 12, 1962