September 18, 1995

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HEADLINE NEWS

Defense Studies Back Large C-17, C-33 Buys

WASHINGTON Two major studies that will influence the number of C-17s the U.S. Air Force buys are nearing completion and are expected to call for a total of 86-1 00 C-17s and as many as two squadrons of C-33As—modified Boeing 747-400 commercial freighters.

By DAVID A. FULGHUMI6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Precision Missiles Bolster Nato Strikes

PARIS Prior to a provisional bombing pause late last week, NATO sharply increased the use of precision guided missiles in the Bosnian theater, launching 13 Tomahawk cruise missiles and numerous advanced HARM and SLAM air-launched standoff weapons against Bosnian Serb targets.

By CRAIG COVAULT5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Crisis Deepens, Threatening Italy's Aerospace Future

PARIS The Italian aerospace industry—with its plunging sales and need for additional job cutbacks—continues in a downward spiral, its very future jeopardized by chronic political instability, weak government support and severe military procurement constraints.

By PIERRE SPARACO5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Wake Shield Tests Astronauts, Controllers

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Endeavour's five astronauts recovered a materials-research satellite plagued by several problems, including an over-heated and unpredictable attitude-control system that at one point set the spacecraft into a slow tumble.

By JAMES T. McKENNA5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Japan's Air Force Seeks 141 Fs-xs

TOKYO HONG KONG Japan's air force has pumped up its request for FS-X close air support fighters to a comfortable number of 141, in part by padding the request with nine aircraft to serve the Blue Impulse aerobatic team. Japan's shrinking defense procurement budgets prompted speculation when the FS-X rolled out in January that only 70-80 would be bought.

By EIICHIRO SEKIGAWA,MICHAEL MECHAM4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Air Force Plans DSCS-3 Upgrades

LOS ANGELES The U.S. Air Force has issued a request for proposals to Lockheed Martin for improvements to the remaining Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS-3) spacecraft intended to extend the full operational capability of the system by at least three years.

By BRUCE D. SMITH3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

C-l7 Nacelle Changes

LOS ANGELES Development of a newly redesigned C-17 engine nacelle is underway at McDonnell Douglas to reduce the cost and weight of the nacelle structure beginning with aircraft delivered three years from now. The work is being conducted by a team that was formed after the Air Force decided earlier this year not to remove the aircraft's engine core thrust reverser.

September 111995

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September 18, 1995

September 18, 1995

Debates Roil X-33 Effort

By JAMES R. ASKER7 min