July 27, 1998

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HEADLINE NEWS

Defense Review Models Shortchange Airpower

MAXWELL AFB, ALA. Computer models and simulations used during the last Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) to assess the relative values of military land, sea and air forces in combat were out of date and did not adequately represent the contributions of modern airpower to joint warfighting, according to air advocates.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT7 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Dashed Merger Resets Clock For Acquisitive Defense Rivals

NEW YORK Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman—two of the most aggressive players in the U.S. aerospace industry's consolidation—are apt to reinstitute proactive merger-and-acquisition strategies in the wake of their thwarted merger attempt.

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Station Momentum Builds As Alenia Hands Over Module

TURIN, ITALY International Space Station hardware is beginning to flow from Europe with delivery of the first of three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs) by Alenia Aerospazio last week. Alenia is gearing up for more ISS deliveries during the next three years and is taking steps to secure future station service contracts.

By MICHAEL A. TAVERNA6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Cruise Missile Threat Grows

WASHINGTON The U.S. is facing a dramatic growth in the number of countries fielding advanced cruise missiles that are becoming increasingly capable of thwarting existing air defense systems. A U.S. Air Force intelligence assessment on ballistic and cruise missile threats says that within the next decade the number of countries besides the U.S. that build cruise missiles will jump from two (France and Russia) to nine.

By ROBERT WALL4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Controller Error Lost Soho

WASHINGTON The Soho spacecraft spun out of control after ground controllers apparently ignored standard procedures and implemented an improper “fix” to an easily correctable problem, according to a NASA official who is cochairing the investigation into last month’s mishap of the solar observatory.

By JOSEPH C. ANSELMO4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

X-35 Lift Fan Undergoing Test

FORT WORTH Key components of the shaft-driven lift fan system for Lockheed Martin's X-35 Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator aircraft have completed “major milestones” in preparation for accelerated testing next year, according to program officials.

By EDWARD H. PHILLIPS3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Parachute System Tested

Dallas Cirrus Design Corp. has completed eight deployments of its Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) and plans to complete crashworthiness tests leading to FAA certification of the SR20 light airplane later this year. The ballistic recovery system (BRS) is installed in the upper aft fuselage of the SR20 and is designed to deploy in flight and lower the aircraft and occupants to the ground if an extreme emergency occurs.

By Edward N. Phillips2 min

July 201998

August 31998

July 27, 1998

July 27, 1998