October 13, 1997

October 13, 1997

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HEADLINE NEWS

Navy Eyes Stealthy Unmanned Aircraft

HEADLINE NEWS

France Reiterates Space Station Attack

HEADLINE NEWS

Initial Images From MGS at Mars

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HEADLINE NEWS

Navy Eyes Stealthy Unmanned Aircraft

WASHINGTON The U.S. Navy has joined the rush to develop unmanned, high-performance combat aircraft which Pentagon seers say will dominate wartime skies by 2030. In fact, aerospace industry officials predict the first contract for development of an uninhabited combat air vehicle (UCAV) will be awarded before the end of 1998.
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HEADLINE NEWS

France Reiterates Space Station Attack

Paris French Education Minister Claude Allegre, who is also responsible for space, confirmed last week that he planned to scale down participation in the International Space Station and to reorient France’s space policy toward space exploration and applications where necessary, independently of the U.S.
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HEADLINE NEWS

Initial Images From MGS at Mars

Pasadena, Calif. Deep canyons with walls up to 2,000 meters (6,500 ft.) high are visible in this image (below) of the Labyrinthus Noctis area west of the Valles Marineris, one of the first orbital images returned by Mars Global Surveyor (MGS).
34S1
MACH 1 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Pursuit of High-speed Flight

On Oct. 14, 1947, Capt. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager flew past Mach 1.0 and into history in what many have called the most important aviation event after the Wright brothers’ success at Kitty Hawk. By shattering the mythical “sound barrier,” Yeager, a World War 2 ace, propelled the entire aviation industry toward a series of new, ever-higher goals.

By Walter J. Boyne13 min

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THE FUTURE OF HIGH SPEED FLIGHT

Missiles Lead Hypersonics Revival

LOS ANGELES The development of hypersonic airbreathing vehicles is alive and well, with several new programs underway to build flight vehicles. Missiles are likely to be the first application if the technology can be made to work, while prospects for a hypersonic cruise aircraft and airbreathing space launcher are more vague.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM13 min

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THE FUTURE OF HIGH-SPEED FLIGHT

Redefined Propulsion Tests Target HSCT Scale-Up Issues

NASA LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER, CLEVELAND Managers of the High Speed Research program have redefined and restructured a number of upcoming propulsion tests aimed at reducing the risks associated with developing an engine for a Mach 2.4 High-Speed Civil Transport, or HSCT.

By STANLEY W. KANDEBO8 min

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THE FUTURE OF HIGH SPEED FLIGHT

Aeronautical Progress Demands Pioneering Spirit, Taking Risks

HERNDON, VA. The natives are restless. The 30-year moratorium on all things progressive in aeronautics is showing cracks, and once again the prophets and soothsayers are daring to forecast a bright future. Aviation Week & Space Technology wants to know what to expect.
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THE FUTURE OF HIGH-SPEED FLIGHT

Hyper-X Production Begins in Support of 1999 Flight Test

LOS ANGELES Fabrication is underway on the Hyper-X program in preparation for a Mach 7 flight test of the airbreathing aircraft, scheduled to be conducted in mid-1999 on the Western Test Range. Hyper-X is a NASA propulsion demonstration program intended to validate design tools which could be used in the future for development of hypersonic propulsion technology and air vehicles.

By BRUCE A. SMITH6 min

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THE FUTURE Of HIGH-SPEED FLIGHT

Hsct Computer Model Takes Shape at Nasa

HAMPTON, VA. NASA and industry engineers are deciding on the basic form of a High-Speed Civil Transport that will strongly influence future U.S. commercial supersonic aircraft. A December deadline has quickened the pace at NASA to complete the work on a preliminary technical configuration aircraft.

By JAMES OTT6 min

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AIR TRANSPORT

Supply Crunch May Put Carriers on Edge

NEW YORK Some airlines awaiting new Boeing jets during the next 6-12 months may be operating on the knife’s edge until the aircraft builder eliminates acute supply-chain bottlenecks. Major U.S. carriers that have placed sizable orders don’t seem alarmed.

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI6 min

October 61997 October 201997