November 4, 1996

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HEADLINE NEWS

Military Reconnaissance Slices the Spectrum Anew

WASHINGTON U .S. reconnaissance aircraft are be ginning to look at targets in tens and, perhaps soon, even hundreds of narrow spectral bands to help determine what foes or potential foes are doing in hidden or disguised facilities. This operational military role was once limited to expensive, sophisticated satellites.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Pentagon Readies SBIRS Award

WASHINGTON The U.S. Air Force is preparing to award a contract for a new gen eration of early warning satellites that will play a key role in plans to upgrade the ability of the U.S. to detect missile launches. The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), which is designed to replace the Defense Support Program (DSP) early warning satellite constellation, is one of the last huge space procurements expected to come out of the Pentagon for the foreseeable future.

By JOSEPH C. ANSELMO4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Korean Air Force Narrows AEW List

SEOUL South Korea's air force has narrowed its list for an airborne early warning and control system aircraft to three candidates: the U.S. Boeing 767 in an improved NATO version, Israel Aircraft Industries’ Phalcon phased-array radar on a 767 airframe and Sweden’s Saab 2000 with an Ericsson Erieye phased-array radar system.

By MICHAEL MECHAM4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Contractors Pondering ‘Commercial’ NH-90

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE Tight budget constraints affecting the NH-90 electronic warfare! transport helicopter are no longer expected to jeopardize the program, and production is now tentatively set to begin in late 1998. However, as a precaution, N.H. Industries (NHI) is evaluating the merits of an initiative to fund NH-90 production on a commercial basis.

By PIERRE SPARACO4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Air Force SR-71s Resume Operations

LOS ANGELES Fueled with Fiscal 1997 money, U.S. Air Force crews are requalifijing to fly the Lockheed SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft after a six-month Fiscal 1996 shutdown imposed by the Pentagon. A USAF aircraft made its reactivation flight last week, on Oct. 29.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

F-16As May Fly Again As Unmanned Combat Vehicles

WASHINGTON There could be new life for now-re tired F-l6As as high-performance, unmanned combat aircraft. As a near-term consideration for the emerging Uninhabited Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) role, Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems in Fort Worth has studied the feasibility of rebuilding low-time F-16As into long-endurance, standoff weapons carriers.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Theseus Completes Low-Altitude Checkout

LOS ANGELES Aurora Flight Sciences "Theseus" drone has completed a four-flight low-altitude test series, and flights may start this week toward an intermediate altitude of 20,000 ft., if permitted by wet conditions at Edwards AFB, Calif.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM2 min

October 281996

November 111996

November 4, 1996

November 4, 1996