March 25, 1996

March 25, 1996

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COVER STORY

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS ROLLS OUT X-36

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM

HEADLINE NEWS

ROCKWELL COMPLETES DESIGN OF KEY X-33 COMPONENTS

By BRUCE A. SMITH

HEADLINE NEWS

TRW LASER DESTROYS RUSSIAN ROCKETS

By DAVID A. FULGHUM

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More Features
2021
COVER STORY

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS ROLLS OUT X-36

Some features of stealthy designs can hurt agility. The X-36 may show how to overcome them

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM

5657
HEADLINE NEWS

ROCKWELL COMPLETES DESIGN OF KEY X-33 COMPONENTS

By BRUCE A. SMITH

5859
HEADLINE NEWS

TRW LASER DESTROYS RUSSIAN ROCKETS

WASHINGTON TRW researchers have used a prototype laser weapon to destroy two unguided, Russian-designed artillery rockets in a test that could have profound effects on the ability of terrorists to successfully use short range missiles.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM

2223
HEADLINE NEWS

CLINTON BUDGET CHOPS NASA AGAIN

WASHINGTON NASA can look forward to stable funding in Fiscal 1997, but it will be all downhill after that if the Clinton Administration has its way. The Administration's proposed budget assumes the space agency will absorb another $3.3-billion cut in planned spending through Fiscal 2000 as part of the President's drive to balance the federal budget by 2002.

By JOSEPH C. ANSELMO

5859
HEADLINE NEWS

DC-XA READIED FOR NEW ROUND OF FLIGHT TESTS

LOS ANGELES McDonnell Douglas has rolled out the latest version of the company's vertical takeoff and landing launch vehicle, the DC-XA, in preparation for the start of a new series of flight tests as early as May at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The DC-XA is a follow-on to the DC-X technology demonstration vehicle, which completed a series of eight flights at White Sands last year.

By BRUCE A. SMITH

5657
HEADLINE NEWS

CONGRESS BALKS ON C-17 OFFER

By DAVID A. FULGHUM

2425
HEADLINE NEWS

PREDATOR SURVIVES LOST SATELLITE LINK

By DAVID A. FULGHUM

5657
HEADLINE NEWS

ALCATEL PICKS ARIANE

PARIS Orders placed with Arianespace for new satellite launches have grown to 41 payloads with the signing of three new WorldSpace/Alcatel spacecraft set for flights during 1998-99. Arianespace defeated the U.S.-based International Launch Services company, which was proposing Atlas boosters for the three missions.
4041
AEROSPACE BUSINESS

AIRFRAMERS FORCE DISCIPLINE IN HIGH-STAKES IFE MARKET

NEW YORK Commercial airframe manufacturers, determined to bring order to the growing complexity of in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, are pressing for greater commonality among competing technologies. Aircraft builders are imposing on IFE vendors industry-wide standards that will serve to align suppliers' claims with their equipment's actual capabilities.

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI

4849
SPACE TECHNOLOGY

CLUSTER TO INAUGURATE ARIANE 5 FLIGHTS

PARIS The first flight of Europe's new Ariane 5 is scheduled by early summer, followed by a second mission in late 1996. European payloads, valued at nearly $550 million and involving dozens of contractors across Europe and the U.S., will be on both flights described here and on p. 51.

By CRAIG COVAULT

March 181996 April 11996