May 13, 1996

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HEADLINE NEWS

F-16 Data Link Sharpens Close Air Support

PARIS Nearly 40 U.S. Air Force F-16s deployed to Europe for close air support patrols over Bosnia are going operational with a new data link to enable NATO forward air controllers to send GPSderived target coordinates directly into the aircraft’s fire control computer, head-up display and Lantirn targeting system.

By CRAIG COVAULT6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Pratt, GE Unite for New 747 Engine

The agreement brings together two traditionally fierce U.S. competitors to work on a narrowly defined engine for the 747-500X and 747-600X

By STANLEY W. KANDEBO5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Air Force Nod Is Key to Yak-130 Success

MOSCOW WASHINGTON The Yakovlev design bureau is focusing development efforts on the domestic version of its new Yak-130 advanced jet trainer, convinced that acceptance by the Russian air force is essential to the aircraft’s success overseas.

By NICOLAY NOVICHKOV,PAUL MANN5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Cross-border Satellite Ventures Spark Battle

WASHINGTON Two U.S. ventures want to use Canadian direct broadcast satellite (DBS) orbital slots to beam programming to the American market, but they are meeting stiff opposition from telecommunications giants. A subsidiary of Denver-based Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) wants to use a Canadian slot to offer programming to U.S. customers via one of two DBS satellites it has ordered from Space Systems/Loral.

By JOSEPH C. ANSELMO4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Iridium on Track for Summer Launch

COLORADO SPRINGS The first three Iridium spacecraft have moved into critical final integration, checkout and environmental testing phases, and are still on track for launch late this summer. The precise launch date will depend on how well integration tasks progress.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

French Cuts Alarm Helo Companies

PARIS Planned cuts in French military procurement spending are imperiling European military helicopter programs already in flight test, feeding a fierce French political controversy and causing consternation in Germany. Germany is France’s major partner in two major European undertakings—the attack-escort Tiger and antisubmarine warfare-transport NH-90.

By PIERRE SPARACO3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Quest for Hubble Value Advances

WASHINGTON Still grappling with one of the peskiest problems in modern astronomy, two teams of scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope have gathered data that converge on a number for the expansion rate of the universe. From that rate—called the Hubble Constant—the age of the universe can be derived.

By JAMES R. ASKER3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

On-board Lidar System to Detect B-2 Contrails

COLORADO SPRINGS The U.S. Air Force is underwriting development of a lidar system that will alert B-2 crews when their bomber is creating visible contrails during high altitude flight. The on-aircraft detection system would enable immediate action to eliminate the contrails.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT2 min

May 61996

May 201996

May 13, 1996

May 13, 1996

Endeavour Set for Busy Flight

By JAMES T. McKENNA6 min