July 18, 1988

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HEADLINE NEWS

New Defense Budget Requires Sweeping B-2 Cost Review

WASHINGTON The Fiscal 1989 National Defense Authorization Act mandates comprehensive cost and performance reviews of the B-2 stealth bomber. It also imposes a short-term funding condition on upgrades to the B-1B bomber’s faulty defensive electronics.

By PAUL MANN6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Aegis Data Processing Reviewed In Navy Probe of A300 Downing

WASHINGTON Navy investigators are focusing on the possibility that computer processing flaws in the sophisticated battle management system on board the USS Vincennes may have led to the accidental shooting down of an Iran Air Airbus A300 in the Persian Gulf.

By JOHN D. MORROCCO3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Congress Orders Joint Development of ATA, ATF

WASHINGTON Congress has ordered the Navy and the Air Force to fund joint development of their next-generation fighters, in a further bid to ensure each service buys both aircraft when they enter production. Legislators also are reinforcing drives to secure common avionics and joint purchase of trainer aircraft for the two fighters.

HEADLINE NEWS

New Beech/Scaled Composites Business Jet Makes First Flight

MOJAVE, CALIF. A new Beech Aircraft Corp./Scaled Composites, Inc., all-composite aircraft, designated the Cabin Class Twin and categorized as a light business jet, made its first flight here July 12. The Cabin Class Twin’s FJ-44 engines each develop 1,800 lb. of thrust in the static condition, and weigh approximately 420 lb.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT2 min

AVIATION WEEK PILOT REPORT

Fokker 50 Combines Handling Ease With Quiet Operations

AMSTERDAM The Fokker 50 is a quiet, efficient turboprop, with excellent handling qualities for the midrange, 50-passenger commuter market. Fokker chose the middle ground in the cockpit design, offering the flexibility of an electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) but the cost savings of analog engine instruments.

By BRUCE D. NORDWALL11 min

July 111988

July 251988

July 18, 1988

July 18, 1988