July 29, 1996

July 29, 1996

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HEADLINE NEWS

Board Faults Ariane 5 Software

By PIERRE SPARACO

HEADLINE NEWS

Reentry Vehicle Demonstrator Tested

COVER STORY

Market Challenges Await New A129 International

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI

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HEADLINE NEWS

Board Faults Ariane 5 Software

PARIS Fundamental errors in the design and testing of the software for the inertial reference system (IRS) caused the failure of the first Ariane 5, according to the investigation board. After European contractors and agencies spent a decade and $8 billion on Ariane 5, then boasting it would have 98.5% reliability, a common flaw simultaneously halted both IRSs—a failure caused by a numerical overflow in an unused and unneeded software routine.

By PIERRE SPARACO

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HEADLINE NEWS

Reentry Vehicle Demonstrator Tested

Paris The European Space Agency’s unmanned Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator recently completed its first recovery qualification test over the Mediterranean. The ARD, the first large European spacecraft developed for reentry and recovery, is about half the size of the command module for the proposed Crew Transfer Vehicle that would carry astronauts to the international space station {AW&STMar. 25, p. 51).
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COVER STORY

Market Challenges Await New A129 International

Agusta strikes a balance between affordability and capability, but the Mangusta still faces major hurdles

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI

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HEADLINE NEWS

New-Generation Aircraft Will Star at Farnborough

LONDON Three “next-generation” fighter aircraft are slated to demonstrate their capabilities for the first time together at a major international air show, at Farnborough later this summer. The four-nation Eurofighter 2000, French Rafale and Swedish Gripen are all scheduled to participate in the flying display at Farnborough International ’96 which opens Sept. 2.

By JOHN D. MORROCCO

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HEADLINE NEWS

BAe, GEC Snare Key U.K. Contracts

LONDON Domestic defense companies swept the competition as the U.K. selected the winners of three contracts for aircraft and missiles valued at nearly 4 billion pounds ($6.2 billion). British Aerospace was the big winner being selected as prime contractor on two of the three Royal Air Force programs— the replacement maritime patrol aircraft and the conventionally armed standoff missile (CASOM).

By JOHN D. MORROCCO

6465
HEADLINE NEWS

Advanced Navy Satcom Launched on Atlas 2

CAPE CANAVERAL A new U.S. Navy/Hughes spacecraft with double the advanced channel capability to support multiservice needs and White House communications is en route to its geo-synchronous orbit station following launch here July 25 on a Lockheed Martin Atlas 2.

By CRAIG COVAULT

6667
IPN International Product News

Device Uses Ionization Detection To Find Explosives and Drugs

NEW YORK A Massachusetts company has developed an improved contraband sensor that uses an ionization detection technique to find traces of explosives and narcotics. Ion Track Instruments President Anthony Jenkins said the device, called Itemiser Contraband Detector, can screen each person or piece of carry-on baggage in 5 sec. to check for trace amounts of signature compounds on the outside of luggage, a person’s clothing or even a boarding pass.

By MICHAEL O. LAVITT

8687
EDITORIAL

Precision Weapons Right For The Times

The U.S. General Accounting Office is way off target in its recent report on “dumb” bombs delivered by conventional aircraft versus expensive, precision-guided weapons and stealthy aircraft. Indeed, off target may be too kind for this study {AW&ST July 15, p. 27).
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AVIATION WEEK PILOT REPORT

Raytheon Still Improving Venerable A36 Bonanza

The latest modifications to the A36 are part of an ongoing program to enhance a proven design

By EDWARD H. PHILLIPS

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Sea Launch Venture Eyes Mid-1998 First Flight

SEATTLE Sea Launch, a multinational commercial satellite launching venture, is spooling up for a June, 1998, first launch from a platform at sea. Initial contracts totaling 15 launches from Hughes Space & Communications Co. and Space Systems/Loral will provide critical initial cash flow to the low-cost launch venture.

By PAUL PROCTOR

July 221996 August 51996