April 15, 1991

View Full Issue Table of Contents

HEADLINE NEWS

Gro Mission Countdown to Set Standard for Future

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The processing flow and terminal countdown for the Gamma Ray Observatory space shuttle mission could establish the standard procedure for future flights because milestones were on target in virtually every sequence, according to Robert B. Sieck, launch director.

By EDWARD H. KOLCUM4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Deutsche Aerospace Reorganizes Defense Group to Emphasize Civil Applications, Closes One Plant

MUNICH Deutsche Aerospace began reorganizing its defense systems group last week to emphasize civil applications as it closed one plant, eliminated 1,000 jobs and said it could foresee little new defense work in the next two years. The reorganization is still too new for accurate financial projections for the new Defense and Civil Applications Div., its new chief, Gerhard Jaeger of Telefunken Systems Technik (TST), said.

AEROSPACE MATERIALS

Bulk Manufacture of X-30 Materials in Offing as Nasp Design Matures

OHIO A decision to terminate the consortium formed about three years ago to accelerate materials development for the National Aero-Space Plane underscores the maturation of the X-30 program and highlights the ongoing shift in program orientation from technology development to vehicle design.

By WRIGHT-PATTERSON9 min

LH DECISION

Boeing Sikorsky Lh Technologies Will Increase Army Combat Capability

STRATFORD, CONN The Boeing Sikorsky First Team LH helicopter will give the U. S. Army a rapidly deployable, highly maneuverable, lethal aircraft that can be supported with about 60% of the manpower now required by the Army’s existing light helicopter fleet.

By STANLEY W. KANDEBO8 min

AEROSPACE MATERIALS

Lightweight Aluminum-based Materials Challenge Nonmetallics in Aerospace Uses

PITTSBURGH, PA Aerospace aluminum manufacturers have been able to retain their traditional position as the leading materials suppliers to the industry during the past decade for three primary reasons. Organic matrix composites have failed to mature as rapidly as expected, advanced lightweight aluminum alloys have evolved, and reduced density aluminum-based engineered materials have been created.

By STANLEY W. KANDEBO7 min

AEROSPACE MATERIALS

Eurofighter Partners Use Many Advanced Materials to Keep Efa’s Weight Down

CAROLE A. SHIFRIN PRESTON, ENGLAND Eurofighter, the four-nation consortium developing the European fighter aircraft (EFA), is making extensive use of carbon fiber composites, glass-reinforced plastics and other advanced materials to keep the advanced fighter’s weight down.

April 81991

April 221991

April 15, 1991

April 15, 1991

Shuttle Astronauts Perform Evas to Free Satellite, Test New Hardware

By JAMES R. ASKER7 min

Usaf Eases C-17 Payload Requirements for 2,400-naut.-mi. Mission

By BRUCE A. SMITH5 min