September 28, 1981

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Space Technology

Shuttle Manipulator Tests to Allow Crew Flexibility

Houston—Checkout of the space shuttle’s remote manipulator arm by astronauts USAF Col. Joe H. Engle and Navy Capt. Richard H. Truly on the second shuttle mission will be structured to evaluate all operating modes and dynamics. It also will allow the crew leeway to explore the inherent flexibility of the system to position the arm safely and quickly.

By Craig Covault19 min

Management

Administration Pushing Awacs Sales to Saudis

Washington—The Reagan Administration is building a case in Congress that the sale of $8.5 billion in air defense enhancement equipment to Saudi Arabia, including the Boeing E-3A airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, is in the U. S. national interest.

By Clarence A. Robinson11 min

Aeronautical Engineering

F-100s Set to Become Target Drones

Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.—Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center’s next major project here is to return approximately 300 stored North American F-100s to flying status as QF-100 target drones. This latest project, as well as previous restoration programs, underscores the fact that the facility here is not an aircraft graveyard but rather a valuable source for spare parts and aircraft.

By David M. North9 min

Business Flying

Improved Helicopters Vie for Larger Market Share

Anaheim, Calif.—Strong participation by U. S. and European helicopter manufacturers at the National Business Aircraft Assn, convention underscored the helicopter industry’s determination to capture a greater share of the corporate aviation market from traditional fixed-wing aircraft suppliers.

By Robert R. Ropelewski7 min

Advanced Weapons Development

Free-electron Laser Technology Gains

Washington—An important laser technological advance has been scored by the Los Alamos National Laboratory in demonstrating the principle of a higher efficiency, tunable free-electron laser. The demonstration provides the foundation for developing free-electron lasers for a number of applications, including high-energy lasers for ballistic missile defense, anti-satellite devices and strategic weapons communications, according to Defense Dept. officials.

Avionics

Advanced Satcom Designed for Military

Washington—A conceptual design for a next-generation military communications satellite capable of serving both strategic nuclear and tactical users and providing more capacity and greatly enhanced anti-jam capabilities has emerged from recent Defense Dept. studies.

By Philip J. Klass6 min

Business Flying

New Electronic Instruments Displayed

Anaheim, Calif.—Electronic flight displays for corporate aircraft, with first deliveries planned as early as next year, were shown by avionics manufacturers at the National Business Aircraft Assn. convention here. Using interchangeable cathode ray tubes, the electronic flight instrument systems—generally known as EFIS—mark a significant departure from electromechanical flight and engine instrument displays and offer the possibility of combining large amounts of information into several integrated displays.

By William B. Scott5 min

September 211981

October 51981

September 28, 1981

September 28, 1981