WASHINGTON Russia's Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau is completing a large new wingin-ground effect (WIG) vehicle and is seeking Western backing for this and smaller aircraft that fly on a cushion of air at low altitudes. The aircraft, in final assembly at Nizhni Novgorod, is one of the design bureau's biggest WIG vehicles and originally was intended for the Russian navy.

NEW YORK Sizable first-quarter earnings gains appear to be the rule among U. S. aerospace companies—most notably McDonnell Douglas Corp., which posted its highest-ever net earnings for any firstquarter period. Excluding unusual gains, the St. Louisbased aerospace and defense contractor had net earnings on continuing operations of $94 million, or $2.41 per share.

WASHINGTON Vought Aircraft Co. will fully build the Pampa 2000 in Texas if the company wins the competition for the Air Force/ Navy Joint Primary Aircraft Training System. The Dallas-based company had originally intended to have Argentina's Fabrica Militar de Aviones (FMA) build many of the Pampa parts, with final assembly and testing done in the U. S.