August 17, 1998

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HEADLINE NEWS

Titan Explosion Destroys Secret ‘Mercury’ Sigint

CAPE CANAVERAL WASHINGTON U.S. Air Force investigators are focusing on specific scenarios that could have led to the catastrophic loss of flight control that caused the low-altitude explosion of a Titan 4A/Centaur during launch of a National Reconnaissance Office “Mercury” signal intelligence spacecraft here Aug. 12.

By CRAIG COVAULT,JOSEPH C. ANSELMO

HEADLINE NEWS

Soho May Be Under Control This Week

Los Angeles Recovery of the Soho spacecraft proceeded faster than expected last week, and some officials believe attitude control could be restored this week. Deep Space Network (DSN) antennas were able to lock on to Soho’s transmissions on Aug. 8 and decode telemetry.

HEADLINE NEWS

Pathfinder Plus Exceeds 80,000 Ft.; Centurion Assembled

LOS ANGELES The Pathfinder Plus solar-powered drone has set a new absolute record for propeller aircraft by exceeding 80,000-ft. altitude and staying above 70,000 ft. for more than 3 hr. The altitude broke the prior record by 9,000 ft., which was set by Pathfinder last year.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM

HEADLINE NEWS

Advance Technology To Protect High- and Low-Risk Facilities

WASHINGTON The nation’s top soldier says that improving the defenses of high risk overseas U.S. facilities has driven terrorists to attack more poorly defended, low-threat sites. U.S. researchers are trying to quickly develop advanced equipment to lessen vulnerabilities at high- and low-risk facilities.

By ROBERT WALL

HEADLINE NEWS

General Electric Develops F414 Engine Growth Plan

NEW YORK General Electric has defined a growth path for the 22,000-lb.-thrust F414 that could boost the installed thrust of the powerplant in the F/A-18E/F by as much as 25%. Definition of the thrust-growth plan, which is aimed at evolving, future versions of the Boeing Super Hornet, and details of upcoming international competitions that could increase the profitability of the engine program have surfaced just as the Navy formally accepted the first two production F414s in ceremonies last week at GE’s Lynn, Mass., facility.

By STANLEY W. KANDEBO

AIR TRANSPORT

Fuji and Pilatus Vie For Trainer Award

Washington Japan’s Air-Self Defense Force (JASDF) is slated to choose a new turboprop trainer to replace aging Fuji Heavy Industries T-3s for the primary flight training role by the end of this month. The Japanese selection process started with the solicitation of some 35 companies to compete for the 50-aircraft buy.

By David M. North

WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP

Non-weapons-class lasers and laser radars for sensing, measuring and imaging from aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites are all on the agenda at Kirtland AFB, N.M. Two platforms getting special attention will be the Air Force’s Argus and RC-135 Cobra Ball aircraft.

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August 17, 1998

August 17, 1998