November 25, 1991

View Full Issue Table of Contents

HEADLINE NEWS

Saudi Order to Keep Patriot Line Open As Performance in Israel Is Questioned

BOSTON A proposed Saudi Arabian order for Patriot missiles now being reviewed by Congress would allow Raytheon to keep its production line open through 1995 and give the company more time to capture orders from nine other nations. Raytheon would otherwise have to shut down its Patriot line next year as it completed its current backlog of orders, including one for eight fire units and about 300 missiles for Saudi Arabia.

By DAVID HUGHES

108

HEADLINE NEWS

Shuttle Management Shift to Kennedy, Stern NASA Cost Containment Urged

Outgoing NASA Deputy Administrator James R. Thompson has recommended a major realignment of NASA space project management and greater emphasis on cost containment. Thompson specifically called for a structural mechanism to “assure termination quickly” of any program in which projected cost estimates exceed commitments made to the Administration and Congress.

108

HEADLINE NEWS

SDI Satellite to Attempt Complex Ultraviolet Imaging of Atlantis

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The Strategic Defense Initiative Organization will attempt to use its LACE satellite for complex imaging tests with the shuttle Atlantis as the two spacecraft cross paths following the orbiter’s rescheduled launch.

By CRAIG COVAULT

110

INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT NEWS

Nitrogen Ground Cart An Improvement Over Traditional Storage Systems

A nitrogen ground service cart combining the latest in air separation technology with existing flightline air compressors could make traditional liquid nitrogen ground servicing equipment obsolete in the near future. The new cart, which is being marketed by Keco Industries of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Generon Systems of Houston, Tex., uses a standard MCI A military air compressor and the Generon GL nitrogen generating hollow fiber membrane module for a constant supply of dry, gaseous nitrogen.

November 181991

December 21991

November 25, 1991

November 25, 1991

Appropriations Bill Keeps B-2 Alive But Scraps Plans for New F-l 17s

By PATRICIA A. GILMARTIN

X-31 Enters Post-Stall Flight Regime