January 24, 1966

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THE WAR IN VIETNAM

Sams Spur Changes in Combat Tactics, New Equipment

Saigon—Emplacement of Soviet-built surface-to-air missiles (SAM) in North Vietnam has brought about sweeping changes in combat tactics and spurred development of new equipment to counter the effectiveness of this threat. These Russian SA-2 missiles, although directly responsible for downing only 10 U.S. aircraft, registering a kill rate of 5% for all missiles fired, have nevertheless forced tactical aircraft to fly at lower altitudes where the probability of being hit by conventional antiaircraft fire is increased.

By C. M. Plattner13 min

EQUIPMENT

Device Planned to Move Disabled Aircraft

San Jose, Calif—Air International Recovery plans to demonstrate to airlines that it can remove a disabled heavy transport from a terminal runway within 2 hr. without causing additional damage to the aircraft. The company is hopeful that a successful demonstration will lead to contracts with airlines or airport operators under which the firm would lease a recovery package based on its patented aircraft raising and removal equipment.

By Richard G. O’Lone5 min

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Report Urges Increased Attention to Planets During Next 15 Years

Washington—Broad-scope U. S. space efforts in continuing lunar and planetary exploration are recommended in a recent report based on a series of conferences last summer at which scientists debated the most rewarding avenues of manned and unmanned exploration beyond Apollo.

By William J. Normyle5 min

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Dornier Seeks Skyservant Market Abroad

Munich—Dornier-Werke is beginning to market abroad its latest design, the Do. 28D Skyservant, a multi-purpose, twin-engine STOL aircraft. Dornier has emphasized its civil activities to avoid an excessive dependence on military contracts and to retain a financial independence which, so far, lias kept it from the mergers and consolidations forced on other major West German aerospace companies by production shortages (AW&ST Mar. 15, 1965, p. 285).

By L. L. Doty5 min

January 171966

January 311966

January 24, 1966

January 24, 1966