February 17, 1964

February 17, 1964

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Clues to Life Processes Sought in Space

By Roderick D. Hibben20 min

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Army Testing Concept of Large-scale Helicopter Attack Forces

By Ward Wright18 min

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Electromagnetic Engine Research Grows

By Michael L. Yaffee15 min

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9091
SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Clues to Life Processes Sought in Space

Greenbelt, Md.—Clues which may tell scientists how physical processes create and destroy matter, whether life exists in space and how the universe was formed are developing as satellite-mounted telescopes focus on distant stars and galaxies unhampered by constraining effects of earth atmosphere which cuts off most ultraviolet and X-ray radiation.

By Roderick D. Hibben20 min

5455
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Army Testing Concept of Large-scale Helicopter Attack Forces

Ft. Benning, Ga.—Army’s experimental 11th Air Assault Div—which is developing the concept of attack with large-scale helicopter units—has reached about half its programed strength of 16,000 men and 459 aircraft, scheduled for 1965. From this force, a brigade of three infantry battalions and supporting units is being trained for a full-scale Army-Air Force field maneuver late this summer.

By Ward Wright18 min

7879
SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Electromagnetic Engine Research Grows

New York—Least advanced, and least understood, of all electric propulsion devices for space applications is the electromagnetic or plasma rocket engine. With few exceptions, most of the electromagnetic thrusters now under study are considered to be comparatively crude laboratory devices.

By Michael L. Yaffee15 min

104105
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Bell Loh Uses Fewer, Larger Components

Ft. Worth—Bell Helicopter Co.’s approach in its OH-4A to Army light observation helicopter (LOH) requirements calls for extensive use of honeycomb and plastic components, castings, and forgings that require more complex and costly tooling than previous designs, but promise low per-unit cost on high production runs.

By Erwin J. Bulban11 min

3839
AIR TRANSPORT

Detection, Flight Procedures Emphasized

Intensive research efforts and pilot-refresher courses aimed at meeting unknowns in severe disturbances.

By James R. Ashlock11 min

3233
MANAGEMENT

X-22 Report Is Rebuff to Dod Civilians

By Richard G. O’Lone6 min

4243
AIR TRANSPORT

Red Chinese Carrier Seeks New Aircraft

Communist China’s search for new equipment for its national airline may be spurred not only by its projected expansion of international services but also by demands of the country’s domestic system. China’s 3,710,000 sq. mi. and 450 million people are served by a civil aircraft fleet of predominantly short-range, obsolescent aircraft:

By William H. Gregory6 min

122123
BUSINESS FLYING

Letters

Your answer to Reader Kramer’s letter (AW Feb. 3, p. 98) was clear and to the point. I only hope that there is enough of the curmudgeon in you to stick to your guns—not only now, but later when the froth has subsided and it will be easy to slip into “Cape Kennedy.”
2021
EDITORIAL

The New Soviet Problem

It is clear from events of the past few months that the character of U.S.-USSR relations has changed greatly. These changes have posed a new problem in dealing with the Soviet Union, which the aerospace industry must understand thoroughly in order to provide more effective support for U. S. policy in a period when sheer military strength is not the only ingredient for success in maintaining the peace on acceptable terms.

By Robert Hotz4 min

2627
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Navy Val Contract May Total $1 Billion

Washington—Navy’s award of the A-7A VAL light attack aircraft contract last week to Ling-Temco-Vought represents an attempt to accomplish with a subsonic jet the type of effective and economical troop support the pistonengined Douglas AD Skyraider series provided in past years.

By George C. Wilson4 min

February 101964 February 241964