April 27, 1981

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Safety

Air Traders Accident Investigated By Safety Board

Synopsis About 1359 EST, on June 22, 1980, Air Traders International, Lockheed 1049H, N74CA, crashed in a soybean field shortly after takeoff from Runway 22 at Columbus Bakalar Airport, Columbus, Ind. The intended destination of the flight was Seattle, Wash.

Aviation Week Pilot Report

Terrain-following Mission Flown By Panavia Tornado

Warton, England —Panavia Tornado interdiction/strike fighter is capable of operating over a wide range of flight regimes with responsive handling, high acceleration rates and an exceptionally smooth and fatigue-free low-level ride during a terrain-following mission that was flown by this AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY editor, followed by a demonstration of the fighter aircraft’s high-speed handling qualities.

By David A. Brown23 min

NATO Policy Shifts

Defense Dept. Pushes Industry Teaming for Nato

Washington—The Defense Dept. is stressing industrial teaming and company-to-company agreements between European and U. S. industry in developing and procuring military hardware for North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies. The trend toward industrial agreements will move the alliance away from government-to-government agreements that prevailed over the last four years, but memorandums of understanding will continue to be used as strong evidence of government support in seeking commonality or standardization of weapon systems.

By Clarence A. Robinson13 min

116

Aeronautical Engineering

Maneuvering, Threat Evasion Stressed

Yuma, Ariz.—Low-level maneuvering and threat evasion techniques, keen awareness of potential threat capabilities, and improved understanding of coordinated fixed wing/rotary wing/ground unit operations are being taught to Marine Corps fixed-wing and helicopter pilots and related ground-based air support officers in a dynamic and highly realistic training program that is being conducted here.

By Robert R. Ropelewski10 min

200

Management

Defense Dept. Lists Top 100 Contractors for Fiscal 1980

Washington—Following is a list of the top 100 defense contractors for Fiscal 1980, ended last Sept. 30. The top 100 companies received $50.7 billion, or 66% in military prime contracts of $10,000 or more for research and development, services, construction, and supplies and equipment during Fiscal 1980, which totaled $76.8 billion.

NATO Policy Shifts

Nato Modernization, Arms Control Stressed

Washington—North Atlantic Treaty Organization ministers of defense have been served notice by U. S. Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger that the U. S. will pursue a two-pronged approach—rapid modernization of theater nuclear forces while negotiating a balanced, equitable, verifiable arms control agreement.

Space Shuttle First Launch

Thermal Protection Examined

Edwards AFB, Calif.—Detailed examination of the space shuttle thermal protection system (TPS) confirms that the delicate tiles survived the shuttle’s first orbital mission in good condition overall, and that much of the visible damage to the surface of the vehicle may have been sustained during ascent rather than the critical reentry phase of the mission.

By Bruce A. Smith8 min

182

Avionics

Faa Backup Atc Computer Operational By Summer

Washington—A new backup system for the Federal Aviation Administration’s primary air traffic control computer system is in operation at three en route centers and is expected to become operational at all 20 centers by July. The system, built by Raytheon, is known as DARC (direct access radar channel), a name that does not do justice to its full capabilities.

By Philip J. Klass8 min

138

Space Technology

Solar Maximum Repair Mission Studied By Nasa

Washington—Early space shuttle rendezvous mission to repair the $75-million Solar Maximum spacecraft incapacitated by fuse failures is under detailed study, and barring unforeseen technical constraints will be proposed formally to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shortly after a successful first shuttle flight.

By Craig Covault8 min

NATO Policy Shifts

Soviet Actions Help Push Nato to Spur Programs

Washington—U. S. Defense Dept. pressure on the Western European allies to accelerate a number of programs following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan has been abetted by recent Russian maneuvers around Poland’s borders and increases of forces in Poland.

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May 41981

April 27, 1981

April 27, 1981

Air Traders Accident Investigated By Safety Board