May 25, 1981

May 25, 1981

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Technical Survey

Beam Weapons Technology Expanding

By Clarence A. Robinson14 min

Technical Survey

Neutral Particle Programs Draw Focus

Technical Survey

Laser Weaponry Technology Advances

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4041
Technical Survey

Beam Weapons Technology Expanding

Washington—The U. S. is moving toward taking full advantage of its technological capability operating in the medium of space to provide a defense for the nation against ballistic missile attack by the Soviet Union. The National Security Council is considering a major study on space defense by a task force.

By Clarence A. Robinson14 min

5455
Technical Survey

Neutral Particle Programs Draw Focus

Washington—Defense Dept, is beginning to emphasize neutral-particle-beam accelerator technology programs and expects to support beam propagation experiments over the next few years, funding an approximately $80-million feasibility demonstration effort at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory in New Mexico.
6465
Technical Survey

Laser Weaponry Technology Advances

Washington—Defense Dept. officials claim that significant progress has been made over the past year in critical technologies to enable feasibility demonstration of high-energy laser weapons, both in space and within the atmosphere.
7273
Avionics

Nasa Presses Communications Efforts

Washington—A request for proposal that could lead to the 1987 launch of an experimental communications satellite operating in the 30/20-GHz. band will be issued around mid-July by NASA’s Lewis Research Center, Cleveland. A status report on the program, which will demonstrate very advanced technology for both civil and military applications, was given here recently to approximately 350 persons from industry and government.

By Philip J. Klass8 min

6061
Technical Survey

Joint Program on Lasers to Aid Countermeasures

Washington—The Air Force and Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory plan to fund jointly a program to examine the damage effects from an iodine pulsed laser device in an effort to determine materials-laser interaction and vulnerability-lethality.
1617
Space Technology

Shuttle Launch Date Advanced

Deletion of several planned orbiter modifications and revised test philosophy permit Sept. 30 liftoff goal

By Craig Covault6 min

5253
Technical Survey

Senate Directs Air Force to Formulate Laser Plan

Washington—The U. S. Senate has placed the Defense Dept. on notice that it wants the Air Force to formulate a space-based high-energy laser weapons development plan leading toward an early in-orbit feasibility demonstration. In a floor amendment by Sens. Harrison Schmitt (R.-N. M.), former Apollo astronaut, and Malcolm Wallop (R.-Wyo.), a Senate intelligence subcommittee member, USAF was given an additional $30 million for that purpose in the Fiscal 1982 Defense Authorization Bill, with an additional $20 million going to the Advanced Research Projects Agency.
3637
Air Transport

Pacific Express to Begin Short-range Jet Service

By Richard G. O’Lone6 min

2627
Air Transport

New Witnesses Support Two-man Cockpit Crew

By David M. North6 min

2829
Air Transport

Continental Rejects Latest Merger Bid

May 181981 June 11981