August 19, 1974

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Management

Aircraft Modified for Hail Control Studies

Restoration of funding for thunderstorm penetration flying is expected next summer for a South Dakota project that is part of the overall U. S. funded research effort to learn more about hail formation, an area where aircraft suppression programs are both operational and sometimes controversial.

By William H. Gregory11 min

Aeronautical Engineering

Thrust Reverser Use Tested for Combat

Patuxent River NAS, Md.—Naval Test Center here is flight testing a Rohr Industries thrust reverser, installed in a reclaimed Grumman F-11A Tiger aircraft, that is expected to demonstrate the value of in-flight thrust control in combat situations as well as establish baseline data for future aircraft designs incorporating thrust control.

By Warren C. Wetmore9 min

Air Transport

Air Freight Potential of 747 Pondered

Seattle—Air cargo industry representatives from throughout the world met here recently to discuss—and sometimes debate—the coming-of-age of the Boeing 747 widebody transport in the air freight market. Some 170 airline officials, air freight forwarders and shippers heard impressive—if familiar—predictions about growth of the air cargo market and testimonials from the few carriers that so far have loaded cargo into the giant jet’s cavernous main deck.

By Richard G. O’Lone8 min

Avionics

Firm Keys Growth to Low-cost Computers

Cupertino, Calif.—Commercial business techniques have worked for Rolm Corp., a young company that has grown here producing smalland medium-sized computers for the military and other severe-environment markets. Rolm functions as an OEM (original equipment market) supplier of computer main-frames to systems houses who typically'are aerospace/defense companies such as Boeing, Collins Radio and Watkins-Johnson.

By Benjamin M. Elson8 min

Missile Engineering

October Flight Set for Sam-d Guidance

Washington—Army will begin in October a year-long flight test program with Raytheon’s SAM-D air defense missile system aimed at proving the missile’s guidance system sufficiently to permit a program production decision next June on the SAM-D 2, a less costly version of the missile system.

Management

Personal Rapid Transit Fund Advances

Washington—Morgantown Project Office in the Dept, of Transportation now has both Senate and House approval of its $6,380,000 request to finish the research and development phase of its personal rapid transit system (PRT). Still unresolved, however, is what happens to the program after completion of the research and development phase.

By Michael L. Yaffee6 min

Aeronautical Engineering

Brazil Prepares to Form F-5 Squadrons

Brasilia—Brazilian air force will begin forming three new ground attack squadrons early next year when it takes delivery of the first of 36 USAF/Northrop F5E Tiger 2 fighters and six F-5B two-seat trainers ordered last year under the U. S. foreign military sales program.

By Donald E. Fink5 min

August 121974

August 261974

August 19, 1974

August 19, 1974