November 26, 1990

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HEADLINE NEWS

USAF Space Command Weather Satellite Images Persian Gulf Facilities at Night

WASHINGTON AU. S. Air Force satellite, viewing the Persian Gulf region at night from 530 mi. in space, shows the lights of major military facilities, oil installations and cities in the crisis area. A bright moonlit view of the gulf region (left photo) shows details of the area that has been the center of rising military tensions following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.

By CRAIG COVAULT

HEADLINE NEWS

Sensor Fused Weapon, AGM-130 Work May Be Accelerated for Use in Gulf

WASINGTON Sensor Fused Weapon antitank munitions and AGM-130 stand-off weapons are two of the most promising emerging systems on which the U. S. Air Force may accelerate development work to facilitate their deployment to the Persian Gulf. Air Force Secretary Donald B. Rice told AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY these two systems are among a number of weapon systems on the verge of production that the service is evaluating for possible use against Iraq.

By JOHN D. MORROCCO

HEADLINE NEWS

No. 1 B-2 Completes First Round Of Low Observables Testing

The No. 1 U. S. Air Force/Northrop B-2 has accumulated 87 hr. in 22 flights and recently completed the first round of low observables testing. Results are still being analyzed. More data were collected on the first few low observables test flights than had been expected, clearing the way for earlier follow-on evaluations.

By LANCASTER, CALIF.

HEADLINE NEWS

F-117A Performs Well in Harsh Saudi Desert Mission Readiness Rates Match Other Combat Aircraft

WASHINGTON USAF/Lockheed F-117A stealth aircraft deployed to Saudi Arabia are performing extremely well in the harsh desert climate, according to U. S. Air Force officials. Mission readiness rates are equal to those of more conventional fighter/attack aircraft, they said.

HEADLINE NEWS

Embraer Defining Structural Changes To Correct EMB-145 Aerodynamic Problems

NEW YORK Embraer is working on a major redesign of its EMB-145 regional jet transport to correct aerodynamic problems revealed in transonic wind tunnel tests. The aircraft’s twin turbofan engines, now located over wings originally designed for the Brasilia 120 commuter transport, will be repositioned.

By ANTHONY L.VELOCCI, JR.

AIR TRANSPORT

Frustration Grows As Pilots Mull Proposed American Pact

WASHINGTON Union leaders are reviewing a pilot contract proposed by American Airlines after a year and a half of intermittent negotiations, and sniping between labor and management. Recent correspondence between both sides being circulated among union members shows growing impatience on both sides.

By CHRISTOPHER P. FOTOS

Aer Lingus Becomes First to Operate All Boeing 737 Later-Model Versions

A er Lingus became the first airline to operate all three versions of later-model Boeing 737 aircraft with the recent delivery of the carrier’s first 117-seat Boeing 737-500 (rear). Based in Dublin, the Irish airline operates two Boeing 737-300s (center) seating 135 passengers and four 737-400s (front) with seating for 156.

Aer Lingus Becomes First to Operate All Boeing 737 Later-Model Versions

Amadeus and Sabre Officials Approve Operations Merger

PARIS Officials of two major computer reservations systems in Europe and the U. S. have agreed to merge their operations, creating one of the world’s largest passenger ticketing networks. The agreement, signed here earlier this month, calls for linking Amadeus—the distribution and reservation operation founded in 1987 by four European carriers—with American Airlines’ Sabre network.

By JEFFREY M. LENOROVITZ

Aer Lingus Becomes First to Operate All Boeing 737 Later-Model Versions

Lorenzo Urges Government Action To Help Keep U. S. Airlines in Business

SAN FRANCISCO Four or five U. S. airlines could fail within the next six months unless the government takes action to counter an industry crisis, according to veteran airline executive Frank Lorenzo. The controversial former head of Con tinental and Eastern airlines said soaring fuel prices and a weakening economy are leading to a "competition crisis" which is being exacerbated by poor government policies.

By RICHARD G. O'LONE

Aer Lingus Becomes First to Operate All Boeing 737 Later-Model Versions

Pan Am Eyes Airbus A31Os To Boost Transatlantic Service

WASHINGTON Pan American World Airways wants to acquire additional new or used Airbus Industrie A310s to increase frequencies and add transatlantic markets in 1991, ac cording to Chairman Thomas Plaskett. Plaskett told the International Aviation Club that the planned sale of its London hub and certain other transatlantic routes and assets to United Airlines for $400 million had been interpreted mistakenly as a downsizing.

November 191990

December 31990

November 26, 1990

November 26, 1990