January 1, 1968

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Avionics

U. S. Space Tracking Capability to Double

Eglin AFB, Fla.—United States space tracking capability will be doubled when the AN/FPS-85 radar is placed in operation by the Air Force next spring. The computer-controlled, multi-function phased array radar has a range of several thousand miles and can detect, track, identify and catalog earth-orbiting spacecraft and ballistic missiles on a scale unmatched in the West, if not in the world according to USAF Lt. Col. Jack Gabus, of the Air Defense Command.

By Benjamin M. Elson10 min

Aeronautical Engineering

Tantalum Elevon Built for 3,000f Test

Bethpage, N. Y.—Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. last week delivered to the Air Force a full-scale elevon structure designed to withstand repeated and prolonged atmospheric re-entry temperatures up to 3,000F. Developed in an advanced-technology effort with the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, the refractory metal control surface is aimed at potential future applications in manned maneuverable hypersonic, re-entry vehicles.

By Michael L. Yaffee10 min

Air Transport

U. S. Trunks Expecting Another Big Year

New York—U.S. domestic trunkline traffic is headed for another robust year in 1968, forecasters for major airlines believe. Their expansive outlook is for: Revenue passenger miles ranging from 81 to 83 billion, including charter. Some arrestment in the steady decline in yield, perhaps to as little as a 1 % decline.

By William H. Gregory7 min

Management

Top 100 U. S. Defense Department Contractors

Washington—Merger early this year of McDonnell Aircraft Corp. and Douglas Aircraft Co. sent the consolidated company to the head of the list of 100 top Defense Dept. prime contractors in the dollar volume of awards made in Fiscal 1967. The merged McDonnell Douglas Corp. received approximately $2.1 billion in Defense Dept. contracts, representing about 5.4% of the dollar awards for the year as opposed to the 3% registered by the two independent companies in Fiscal 1966.

December 251967

January 81968

January 1, 1968

January 1, 1968

Pilot's Coronary Problem Cited in Crash

Electronic Warfare Gains Key Viet Role