KENNEDY SPACE CENTER U.S.-Russian Mir logistics coordination and execution of the Atlantis shuttle Mission 84 resupply have given the two countries a new foundation on which to base future work on Mir and joint assembly of the new International Space Station.

WASHINGTON The tiltrotor MV-22 medium transport and E-8 Joint-STARS long-range radar aircraft have joined the list of aircraft programs recommended for substantial cuts in the Pentagon’s Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The study also failed to find a reason for buying more stealthy B-2 bombers.

Seattle Boeing dismissed last week’s European Union objections to its planned merger with McDonnell Douglas, saying there is no fundamental restrictive effect on competition. While pledging to continue to work with the EU “to help the [European] Commission better understand the data that underlies the process,” Boeing Chairman and CEO Phil Condit reaffirmed his company’s stance that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission should be the lead review agency on the matter (AW&STlS/lay 19, p. 24).

Washington The French team of Eurocopter and Intertechnique will attempt a record nonstop flight between the New York area and Paris of a single-engine helicopter (AW&STMay 19, p. 17). The Eurocopter AS 350B3 will be refueled inflight with an Intertechnique system, five times while en route from Teterboro (N.J.) Airport to Le Bourget Airport, beginning on June 6.