November 9, 1987

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AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Editor-in-Chief Donald E. Fink Managing Editor Robert R. Ropelewski NEW YORK 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10020 Phone: (212) 512-4117; TWX: 710 581-4879 Assistant Managing Editor: David Quast Editorial Production Chief: Joseph S. Caramanico

Viewpoint

Limitations of Growth

For the first time in aviation history, the potential for real growth of the commercial aviation sector is threatened by increased airports and airways congestion throughout the world. Building new capacity to meet demand is a large task facing governments and industry everywhere, but there are other issues behind the smile of progress in the U. S. that need attention: aircraft noise and safety being two primary ones.

U.S. DEFICIT REPERCUSSIONS

Gramm-Rudman Threatens to Disrupt Defense Contracts, Research Programs

Washington—U. S. contractors could suffer costly reopenings of their Defense Dept, procurement contracts and the decimation of both procurement and research programs if a Gramm-Rudman-Hollings sequester takes place as scheduled Nov. 20.

By Paul Mann

PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY

P&W Completes 4,000-Cycle Tests Of F100-PW-220

Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 engine, shown on test at the company’s Palm Beach County, Fla., test facility, has completed two consecutive 4,000-cycle accelerated mission tests, roughly equal to what the engine would experience in 18 years of normal operational service with the U. S. Air Force.

U.S. DEFICIT REPERCUSSIONS

Deficit Summit Splits Over Taxes, Spending

Washington—The deficit reduction summit divided last week over the same issues that have embroiled the government since 1981—tax hikes and priorities between defense and domestic spending. Congressional Democrats appealed for President Reagan’s personal involvement to close a deficit-reduction deal and avert a Gramm-Rudman-Hollings sequester Nov. 20.

MANAGEMENT

Air Force Proceeds With GWEN Project

Boston—The Air Force is proceeding with scheduled construction of Ground Wave Emergency Network (GWEN) towers in New England despite a lawsuit filed by an environmental group that seeks an injunction to stop the action. The Air Force has started building towers as planned at sites in Herseytown and Penobscot in Maine.

STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE

Budget Jeopardizes SDI Timetable; Research Efforts Scaled Back

Huntsville, Ala.—Strategic Defense Initiative officials, who have begun scaling back the program to meet 1988 budget cuts, last week expressed doubt that SDI can maintain a 1992 schedule for a full-scale development decision, given the budget limitations imposed by Congress.

By Theresa M. Foley

STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE

Soviet INF Plant Visits Concern Pentagon

Huntsville, Ala.—Pentagon officials are concerned about the effect the Intermediate Nuclear Force reduction agreement and its provisions for on-site inspection will have on aerospace companies, which could be subject to Soviet inspection with 6-hr. notice.

STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE

NATO Defense Ministers Back INF Agreement

Monterey, Calif.—North Atlantic Treaty Organization defense ministers last week strongly supported the planned U. S.-Soviet intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) agreement, although individual delegations voiced concern about the need to modernize NATO nuclear weapon systems and the large imbalance with Warsaw Pact conventional forces.

By Bruce A. Smith

STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE

Army Plans New SDI Laser Experiment

Huntsville, Ala.—The Army Strategic Defense Command is planning to start an airborne laser experiment project that would fly on the modified Airborne Optical Adjunct aircraft in the 1990s to demonstrate active tracking and improved airborne sensor capabilities for the Strategic Defense Initiative.

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November 9, 1987

November 9, 1987