June 18, 1990

View Full Issue Table of Contents

HEADLINE NEWS

Air Force Calls Cas Test Plan Redundant, Expensive

WASHINGTON The Pentagon’s long-awaited close air support test plan—originally conceived to find a replacement for the A10—has been submitted to Congress, but Air Force officials now want to forget it. Recast as the Fire Support Test Plan to allow inclusion of the Army’s artillery, long-range rockets and attack helicopters, it is "no longer a competitive flyoff,” a Pentagon operational testing official said.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Second Titan 4 Carries Secret Surveillance Satellite Into Orbit

CAPE CANAVERAL The second USAF/Martin Marietta Titan 4 was launched from Complex 41 here at 1:22 a. m. EDT June 8 carrying a secret surveillance satellite on a mission that the Air Force views as a critical milestone marking the start of sustained operations with this system.

By EDWARD H. KOLCUM2 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Usaf Urged to Cut Forward Air Controller Units

WASHINGTON Airborne forward controllers face a shrinking mission as modern antiaircraft defenses and improved technology bar them from larger segments of the modern battlefield. Consequently, some defense authorities believe the U. S. Air Force should reduce FAC forces significantly and limit modifications to avoid having to cut more valuable assets elsewhere.

HEADLINE NEWS

Hubble Beset by Radiation Effects, Solar Array Vibrations, But Controllers Expect Early Resolution o

WASHINGTON The Hubble Space Telescope’s fine guidance is routinely disturbed by radiation, and temperature changes make the solar arrays vibrate slightly. But controllers are convinced they can solve both problems. For up to 10 min. of each 98-min. orbit, data in the electronics of the fine guidance sensors are scrambled, disrupting the most delicate pointing system of the optical observatory.

HEADLINE NEWS

Md 520n Helicopter Begins Faa Certification Flight Testing

NEW YORK The McDonnell Douglas MD 520N commercial helicopter has begun FAA certification flight testing, joining its sister ship, the MD 530N. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. in Mesa, Ariz., expects certification to be completed later this year.

June 111990

June 251990

June 18, 1990

June 18, 1990

Lh Teams Wary of Pentagon, Congress as They Prepare Development Bids

By DAVID F. BOND6 min