September 7, 1964

September 7, 1964

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AVIONICS

Many Specialties Mark Avionic Producers

AVIONICS

Britain Seeks Stimulus for Advanced R&D

By Philip J. Klass

AVIONICS

Design Evolution Gains Maximum Utility

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AVIONICS

Many Specialties Mark Avionic Producers

London—An unusual decentralized management system utilizing 130 small divisions with average sales of slightly less than $1 million characterizes Elliott-Automation, Ltd., one of Britain’s fastest growing avionics firms. During the past five years the company’s sales, and profits, have tripled, reaching $109.2 million in 1963.
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AVIONICS

Britain Seeks Stimulus for Advanced R&D

London—British avionics manufacturers are moderately optimistic over current business. Most companies indicate that they expect 1964 sales to at least equal last year’s and many talk of a 10-20% increase. Airborne avionics equipment makers in Britain are counting heavily on the Concorde supersonic transport to provide the same impetus that the subsonic jetliner export market gave American avionics manufacturers.

By Philip J. Klass

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AVIONICS

Design Evolution Gains Maximum Utility

London—Steady, persistent design evolution, extracting the maximum utility and profit from available technology, is a hallmark of Britain’s approach in the avionic field. Because British companies generally face less threat of challenge by a new competitor, they can afford to put more effort into product refinement.
6061
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Concorde on Schedule Despite Problems in

London—Development of the Sud/ BAC Concorde supersonic transport is holding to schedule despite problems of coordination between two industrial groups in different nations. Drawings will be issued and final design will be frozen next month.

By L. L. Doty

8687
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

BS. 100 VTOL Powerplant Readied for Bench Testing

Filton—First bench test of the Bristol Siddeley BS. 100 vectored V/STOL turbofan engine for the Hawker Siddeley P.1154 supersonic V/STOL strike fighter is slated for the last quarter of this year. Bench trial will not involve bypass plenum chamber burning, a “front afterburner” thrust boost system that can increase the engine’s thrust by 30% to 36,000 lb. Feasibility test series for this system was successfully completed last October on the BS. 53 Pegasus 2 engine and through full-scale rig testing, according to a company engineer.
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AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Rolls Expands Range of V/STOL Engine Development Efforts

Derby—Rolls-Royce’s Aero Engine Div. is designing engines for the vectored VTOL jet market along with its emphasis on the pure lift-jet field, and is proposing at least three different lift/cruise powerplants for the German Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke VAK-191B V/STOL strike fighter.

By Warren C. Wetmore

138139

Political Test Faced by Aviation Ministry in Fall Election

London—Ministry of Aviation, the largest scientific and engineering employer in Great Britain, will undergo important changes in the next few years as it becomes further amalgamated with the total defense effort. Confronted with the Ministry as a primary Labor Party political target in the coming October general election, its senior officials are quietly reorganizing its entire research and development effort to work closely with Ministry of Defense, with emphasis on contracting and planning.
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AIR TRANSPORT

New Subsonic Jet Generation Forecast

Forecast indicates requirement for new subsonic jets to supplement supersonic services during the 1970s.
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MANAGEMENT

Stabilized Industry Faces New Unknowns

British groups win aircraft orders at home, turn to licensing agreements to meet competition overseas.

By Herbert J. Coleman

128129
SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Rocket Studies Stress Solid Propellants

Westcott — Ministry of Aviation’s Rocket Propulsion Establishment is developing experimental solid propellant rockets suitable for use in future ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles. The largest, with a diameter of 54 in. —the size of the Navy/Lockheed Polaris first stage—is still in the early stages of development.
August 311964 September 141964