December 16, 1974

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Aeronautical Engineering

Inflight Fueling Helps Speed Yf-17 Test Series

Edwards AFB, Calif.—Combination of high systems reliability and the use of inflight refueling has enabled Northrop Corp. to compress the 12-month flight test program originally planned for its two YF-17 lightweight fighter prototypes into six months in order to meet USAF’s air combat fighter proposal deadline.

By Donald E. Fink17 min

Space Technology

Pioneer 11 Sheds New Light on Jupiter

Moffett Field, Calif.—Surprises in Pioneer 11 experiments data demonstrated that Jupiter is more complex and variable than previous observation from earth and space had revealed. The first interpretations of the latest data from Jupiter show that it conforms in many respects to models based on years of ground observation plus last year’s Pioneer 10 mission, but nevertheless differs from them in significant ways.

By Benjamin M. Elson12 min

Aeronautical Engineering

F-15 Manufacturing Cost Cuts Pushed

St. Louis—McDonnell Douglas is pressing the Defense Dept, to increase its production rate for the 72 air-superiority F-15s in the Fiscal 1975 procurement from the present six-to-seven-per-month to nine aircraft in order to reduce costs and help the company remain within ceiling for the airframe and contractor-furnished equipment.

By Clarence A. Robinson9 min

Missile Engineering

Ramjet Engine Technology Advancing

Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio—Ramjet engines are coming back to life after a long hiatus to fill the propulsion requirements for new missiles and missions. Ramjet Engine Div. of the USAF Aero Propulsion Laboratory here regards the ramjet or integral rocket/ramjet engine as the best approach to providing the long range and high speed for air-launched multi-purpose missiles, advanced surface-launched interceptor missiles, long-range low-altitude penetrators, remotely piloted vehicles and low-cost expendable delivery systems.

By Michael L. Yaffee8 min

Missile Engineering

Army Laser Seeker Fund Cuts Opposed

Washington—Army is pressing the Pentagon’s Directorate of Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E) to restore $10 million that has been cut from the $15 million the service asked for to continue development of a laser-guided Hellfire missile.

Management

Brazil Emphasizing Space Programs

Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil—Brazil is taking the lead among developing nations of the world in utilizing data from U. S. space vehicles as major economic and educational development tools. At the same time, it is supporting a strong program of its own to provide the country with a national satellite-launch booster to meet long-term objectives.

By Cecil Brownlow7 min

Aeronautical Engineering

Technology Gains Cited in Hlh Program

Ridley Park, Pa.—Army expects it will be the early 1980s before it will be able to seek development and production funding for a new heavy lift helicopter to replace its present Sikorsky CH-64 Skycranes, but the service plans to continue component development work after completion next year of an unusually productive program to develop and integrate new technology for such an aircraft.

By David A. Brown7 min

December 91974

December 231974

December 16, 1974

December 16, 1974