October 30, 1978

October 30, 1978

View Full Issue Table of Contents
New Particle Beam Technology

Air Force Emphasizes Laser Weapons

By Clarence A. Robinson14 min

Air Transport

Three Classes Draw Approval

By Jeffrey M. Lenorovitz13 min

Aeronautical Engineering

Near-net-shape Engine Methods Emerge

By Edward H. Kolcum12 min

View Full Issue
More Features
5051
New Particle Beam Technology

Air Force Emphasizes Laser Weapons

Washington—Air Force deployment of a ground-based high-energy laser weapon for antisatellite missions coupled with placing in orbit a neutral particle beam weapon on a spacecraft are elements of USAF’s emerging space defense role. Protecting U. S. orbiting spacecraft from Soviet killer satellites has become an Air Force priority mission in the past year.

By Clarence A. Robinson14 min

2021
Air Transport

Three Classes Draw Approval

American, TWA introduction of new service for full-fare passengers received favorably despite teething problems

By Jeffrey M. Lenorovitz13 min

4243
Aeronautical Engineering

Near-net-shape Engine Methods Emerge

Evendale, Ohio—Five years ago cobalt was readily available for $3/lb. and there was little anxiety over its future price and availability. Today, the producer price of cobalt is $ 18/lb. and is expected to rise to $20/lb. by next year. The spot price for cobalt already has reached $35/lb. and the political instability in Zaire’s Shaba province, where more than one-third of the world’s cobalt is produced, puts the supply of this critical aerospace metal in a potentially severe shortage situation (AW&ST May 29, p. 22).

By Edward H. Kolcum12 min

3233
Air Transport

British Airways Aims at Mass Markets

5657
Aviation Week Pilot Report

Australian N24a Aimed at Commuters

Leavesden, England—Australia’s Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) is seeking to carve out a major share of the world’s commuter airline market for itself with stretched versions of its original N24 Nomad twin-turboprop transport, the first of which is the N24A.

By David A. Brown8 min

6061
Avionics

Norad Data System Has 100% Overrun

Washington—U. S. Air Force program to modernize the North American Air Defense Command’s realtime data processing system has an overrun of more than 100% in both time and cost and will provide no better initial capability than the system it replaces, according to a recent General Accounting Office report.

By Philip J. Klass7 min

2425
Air Transport

Aging Cited in Off-idle Stalls of Jt8ds

Aging process of high-pressure compressors in older versions of the veteran Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engine is being cited in the increased incidence of off-idle compressor stalls that some airlines have been experiencing in the past year or two.

By Warren C. Wetmore6 min

3233
Air Transport

Europeans Still Resist U. S. Air Policy

Washington—Recent renegotiations of bilateral air transport agreements with three European nations disclose there still is some resistance to the new U. S. policy on open competition designed to encourage an across-the-board reduction of international rates and fares.

By Laurence Doty5 min

1819
Management

Litton Choice Signals Shift in Policy

By Philip J. Klass5 min

3637
Air Transport

Bandeirante Sales Drive Readied in U. S.

Washington—Brazil’s Embraer and its first planned U. S. operator, Aero Industries, are gearing for what they see as a major market for the EMB-110 Bandeirante commuter aircraft, now that the twin turboprop seems assured of an operating certificate under the new Federal Aviation Regulations Part 135 (AW&ST Aug. 28, p. 32).

By David M. North5 min

October 231978 November 61978