August 20, 1973

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Space Technology

Comet Exploration Missions Face Complex Hurdles

Planning for comet exploration missions by spacecraft is threading through a complex set of considerations that range from early opportunity and near-earth passage by Grigg-Skjellerup in 1976 to slow flyby of Encke in 1980 and rendezvous in 1984 that would use solar electric propulsion for trajectory shaping.

By William H. Gregory

Aeronautical Engineering

Advanced Fighter Technology Entry Set

St. Louis—McDonnell Douglas Corp. will propose a single-seat, twin-engine control-configured aircraft as its entry in the upcoming advanced fighter technology integration (AFTI) program. The low-cost demonstrator airplane has been developed from preliminary concept up through and including two series of wind tunnel testing here by McDonnell Aircraft Co. and will be submitted as a formal AFTI proposal to the Air Force in late September. Called the Advanced Maneuvering Demonstrator Aircraft, or AMDA, it would weigh about 9,000 lb. takeoff gross weight and would be about the size of a World War 2 North American P-51 fighter.

By Clark Martin

Space Technology

Preparations for Rescue Slowed

Increased confidence in the ability of Skylab’s Rockwell International Apollo spacecraft to make a normal re-entry has eased rescue spacecraft preparation at the Kennedy Space Center. When a potential rescue situation was defined Aug. 2 as a result of attitude control thruster problems on the Apollo in orbit, the plan was to accelerate spacecraft processing for the next mission by working through normal slack-time periods and cutting one of two altitude chamber tests, as well as reducing the normal 10-day Apollo spacecraft systems test by as much as one half.

Aeronautical Engineering

Presidential Wing Maintenance Unusual

Washington—Unusual airlift requirements of special missions and presidential aircraft in the 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB, Md. (AW&ST July 30, p. 40) result in wing maintenance standards exceptional to those in other USAF or airline operations.

By Craig Covault

Aeronautical Engineering

Senate Unit Presses A-7/A-10 Flyoff

Washington—Senate Armed Services Committee is pressing for a competitive flyoff between the LTV Aerospace A-7D and the Fairchild A-10A before the end of the year to determine which aircraft will become the principal Air Force close-support vehicle.

By Cecil Brownlow

Air Transport

Butterfield Spurs Major Shifts in FAA

Washington—Massive reorganization of the Federal Aviation Administration by newly-appointed Administrator Alexander P. Butterfield and a hand-picked group of former associates is aimed at reshaping the agency to fit Butterfield’s personal management technique and improve responsiveness to the needs of both the aviation community and the public.

By Charles E. Schneider

Air Transport

Soviets to Press for U. S. Routes Despite Resistance by State Dept.

Washington—Soviet Union will persist in its drive for additional air routes throughout the U. S. despite growing State Dept. resistance, based on tough economic realism, against Russian pressures. The unyielding stands by both sides were evident during the latest round of talks on renegotiation of the U. S.-USSR bilateral air transport pact here last June (AW&ST July 2, p. 22).

August 131973

August 271973

August 20, 1973

August 20, 1973

Plans for Defense Navsat Readied

By Philip J. Klass

Rolls Probe Pinpoints RB.211 Contract

By Herbert J. Coleman

Tri-Service Seeker Lead Expected to Go to USAF

By Clarence A. Robinson

Plans for Defense Navsat Readied

By Philip J. Klass

Rolls Probe Pinpoints RB.211 Contract

By Herbert J. Coleman

Tri-Service Seeker Lead Expected to Go to USAF

By Clarence A. Robinson