June 1, 1992

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AIRLINE CAPACITY CRUNCH

Doubling of Asia’s Growth Will Strain Area’s Facilities

GENEVA Asia and the Pacific region’s international scheduled air traffic, already one-fourth of the world’s total, will double by the year 2010, raising concerns that the area’s airports and navigation systems will be unprepared to cope, according to a new study.

By MICHAEL MECHAM

U. S. Airlines Seek Cost Reductions Through Capacity, Program Cutbacks

WASHINGTON Bent on reducing costs, U. S. airlines have begun a campaign to survive grievous losses through capacity and program cutbacks as a new, punishing fare war has broken out. After rolling back $20 billion in new aircraft orders and options—recognizing they overbought in the 1980s—the airlines are now taking stock of domestic aircraft capacity and searching for ways to cut.

By JAMES OTT

HEADLINES

Franco-German Corps Strains NATO’s Post-Cold War Strategic Relations

BRUSSELS The creation of an independent FrancoGerman corps has put NATO’s new post-Cold War “security concept” under strain as the alliance’s members debate how Europe can create its own security identity without undermining NATO. The 35,000-soldier corps is to be formed July 1 and be at full strength in 1995.

HEADLINES

Group Vector Signs Pact With Kamov To Build Hokum Helicopters in U. S.

WASHINGTON Group Vector, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., has signed an agreement with the Kamov Helicopter Scientific and Technology Co. that gives it exclusive rights to build the Ka-50 Hokum in the U. S. and market the helicopter in other selected countries.

HEADLINES

Post-Soviet Nations Agree to Disperse CFE Treaty-Limited Weapons Systems

BRUSSELS A NATO-sponsored group that includes member states of the former Soviet Union has endorsed maximum force levels that Russia and its neighbors will be permitted under terms of the Conventional Forces-Europe Treaty. The CFE Treaty was signed before the Soviet Union’s breakup, and the issue of hów to assure that successor states abided by its arms limitations has been a major issue since (AW&ST Nov. 28, 1990, p. 24).

HEADLINES

Swedish Government, Industry Agree On Buy of 110 Gripen Combat Aircraft

STOCKHOLM Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the JAS 39 Industry Group have agreed in principle on the purchase of the second batch of 110 Gripen fighter aircraft and development of a two-seat tactical version. Lt. Col. Claes G. Wretfors, manager of the JAS 39 Program Office for the FMV, which acts as a procurement agency for the Swedish government, said the pricing contained within the tentative agreement is within previously reported estimates.

By CAROLE A. SHIFRIN

HEADLINES

Hughes to Offer Imaging IR Seeker For Use on Sidewinder Missile Successor

LOS ANGELES Hughes Aircraft Co.’s Missile Systems Group is planning to propose use of an imaging infrared seeker on the possible successor to the Sidewinder air-to-air missile, currently known as the AIM-9X. The Navy/Air Force joint program office planning for the AIM-9X is studying results from a captive flight test program that used a mercury/cadmium/telluride imaging IR seeker developed by Hughes.

By BRUCE A. SMITH

HEADLINES

Navy Lays Groundwork for ASTOVL, E-2C Hawkeye Replacement by 2010

WASHINGTON Long-range Navy aviation plans call for fielding an advanced short takeoff/ vertical landing aircraft and a replacement for the E-2C airborne early warning aircraft sometime after the year 2010. The Navy has added funding in its program objective memoranda for Fiscal 1994, due to be delivered to Pentagon officials June 1, to begin work on an ASTOVL aircraft.

By JOHN D. MORROCCO

HEADLINES

Industry Executives Push For F-15 Sale to Saudi Arabia

LANCASTER, CALIF. Industry pressure on government officials to approve the sale of 72 F-15 fighters to Saudi Arabia intensified last week when senior executives of 16 subcontractors entered the fray. Presidents, chief executive officers and general managers of companies with operations in Rep. Mel Levine’s district signed a letter to the California Democrat on May 26, urging him and his colleagues to consider all factors involved in the proposed sale.

May 251992

June 81992

June 1, 1992

June 1, 1992

The F-15 Sale to Saudi Arabia