April 9, 1962

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MISSILE ENGINEERING

Tight Control Keeps Pershing Program on Schedule

Orlando, Fla.—Successful rainy-night launching of a “near-tactical” Army/ Martin Pershing ballistic missile—32nd in the test series and most recent round to be fired—signaled a major step in the development program of this field army support weapon.

By David A. Anderton18 min

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Fuel Cell Development Pushed for Space

New York—Fuel cells now under development for the Apollo and Gemini manned spacecraft will pace development of this particular energy conversion technology and, in the process, lay the foundation for future industrial and consumer applications of cells.

By George Alexander13 min

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Nasa to Expand Nerva, Rift Facilities

Washington—Large percentage of new construction outside the Florida and Gulf Coast areas in National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Fiscal 1963 requests is earmarked for expansion of the agency’s nuclear rocket development program, with approximately $80 million in new facilities at two major nuclear installations—National Nuclear Rocket Development Station at Jackass Flats, Nev., and Plum Brook Station near Sandusky, Ohio.

By Edward H. Kolcum12 min

AVIONICS

Competition Slashes Sidewinder 1-a Price

Utica, N. Y.—Price of the Sidewinder 1-A missile guidance and control unit, heart of the Navy developed air-to-air missile used also by the Air Force and NATO, has been slashed nearly 70% in six years since the Bureau of Naval Weapons brought in second source competition.

By Philip J. Klass11 min

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

C-135b Extends Mats Range Capability

Travis AFB, Calif.—First Boeing C-135B to phase into the Military Air Transport Service inventory was delivered here last month and turned over to operations and training activities preparatory to its introduction into regular MATS Pacific schedules May 1.

By William S. Reed8 min

102

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Sperry Autopilot Shows Control Capability

Long Beach, Calif.—Automatic landing approaches to altitudes as low as 50 ft. have been demonstrated by a Sperry autopilot-equipped Douglas DC-8 to 43 pilots and engineers representing foreign and domestic airlines. The flight demonstrations were the culmination of the combined efforts of Douglas Aircraft Co. and Sperry Phoenix Co. aimed at providing a flight control system which will permit jet transport operators to fly to lower landing minimums (AW Dec. 11, p. 85).

116

MANAGEMENT

Mergenthaler Aims at More Military Sales

New York—Mergenthaler Linotype Co. is acquiring controlling interest in the Electric Autolite Co., which in turn controls Hiller Aircraft Corp. as a wholly owned subsidiary (AW Nov. 28, 1960, p. 37). Mergenthaler officials view the acquisition as a substantial move toward more defense-oriented activity.

By Arnold Sherman7 min

April 21962

April 161962

April 9, 1962

April 9, 1962