July 12, 1965

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AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Usaf Seeks Funds to Speed Its Scramjet, Hypersonic Flight Program

Andrews AFB, Md.—Air Force Systems Command is making a maximum effort to obtain funds to accelerate its scramjet (supersonic-combustion ramteclmology program. jet) propulsion and hypersonic flight AFSC Chief Scientist Dr. B. H. Goethert believes there will be a scramjet-powered research vehicle flying by 1975 as a follow-on to the present rocket-powered X-l5 aircraft.

By Michael L. Yaffee15 min

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AVIONICS

Self-testing Navaids Correct Own Errors

Baltimore—Avionic equipment that not only checks itself continuously to assure proper operation but which automatically takes corrective action when performance falls outside acceptable limits will be introduced soon by Bendix Radio Div.

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Yat-37d Shows Agility in Coin Role

Washington—Increasing Air Force interest in immediate acquisition of a counter-insurgency aircraft has prompted Cessna Aircraft Co. to resume flight demonstrations of its YAT-37D turbojet attack aircraft. The current version of the YAT-37D —modified as a result of tests last year at Eglin AFB development center (AW &ST July 13, 1964, p. 36)—was flown here recently by this AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY pilot.

By David A. Brown8 min

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Solar System Exploration Study Planned

Los Angeles—Manned and unmanned missions projected to the year 2000 will be used as a basis for a study of trajectory and upper-stage propulsion requirements related to exploration of the solar system. Proposals for this nine-month analysis have been submitted by industry to National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Ames Research Center.

By Irving Stone7 min

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Usaf, Army Consider Major Coin Uses

Columbus—North American Aviation’s first OV-lOA prototype was rolled out here last week amid growing indications that both Air Force and Army are developing sizable requirements for reconnaissance and transport versions of the twin-engine light attack/utility aircraft.

By Donald E. Fink7 min

AVIONICS

Altimeter Monitors Its Own Performance

Cedar Rapids, Iowa—Critically important role of the radio altimeter in lowering weather minimums has prompted Collins Radio Co. to include many self-test features in its new Model AL-101, recently selected by United Air Lines for its jet fleet (AW&ST June 21, p. 33).

By Philip J. Klass7 min

MANAGEMENT

Nasa Procurement Up 51% in First Half of Fiscal 1965;north American Top Contractor

Washington—National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s procurements for the first six months of Fiscal 1965 totaled approximately $2.93 billion, which represents a $989-million or 51% increase over the corresponding period of Fiscal 1964.

EDITORIAL

Probing Viet Cong Strongholds

“Our mission was to assess damage made by 750-pound bombs by SAC and further to search the area for additional VC installations. We had three 41-man teams with the limited capability of our small units to search and destroy what we could. From previous experience in this area, I have some bad memories of the area.

July 51965

July 191965

July 12, 1965

July 12, 1965