September 28, 1998

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HEADLINE NEWS

Defense Bill Augments Aerospace at Margins

WASHINGTON A bipartisan $270.5-billion defense authorization bill for Fiscal 1999 has been approved by a House/Senate conference committee, which held spending within balanced budget confines while buttressing funds for some aircraft and advanced technology programs, including missile defense.

By PAUL MANN7 min

HEADLINE NEWS

NRO Satellite To Test Advanced Technologies

CHANTILLY, VA. The National Reconnaissance Office will launch a satellite technol ogy testbed next month to demonstrate several satellite subsystems and components that could drastically change how future satellites are designed and built.

By ROBERT WALL5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Aerospatiale, Lagardere Boost Consolidation Plan

ROTHERWICK, ENGLAND The Aerospatiale/Matra Hautes Technologies merger, which is poised to become a reality next year, could significantly advance the French/European aerospace industry’s restructuring process, according to company officials.

By PIERRE SPARACO5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

State Dept. Urged To Upgrade Licensing

Washington The U.S. State Dept, should upgrade the administrative efficiency of its export licensing system, now that Congress has decided to shift licensing authority for commercial satellites back to State from the Commerce Dept, beginning next March, the domestic aerospace industry’s chief lobbyist said last week.

HEADLINE NEWS

Gyros Hamper Soho Recovery

Netherlands The unexpected malfunction of two gyroscopes has muted the effects of the successful repointing of Soho to the Sun, but program officials remain confident that the solar observation satellite can be successfully returned to service.

By Noordwijk2 min

HEADLINE NEWS

JDA Seeks $2.1 Billion For 1999 Aircraft Buys

Tokyo Japan’s Defense Agency wants to buy 10 more aircraft in fiscal 1999 than were approved this year—including more trainers for the air force and more anti-submarine warfare helicopters for the navy. The biggest proposed expense is for eight Mitsubishi/Lockheed Martin F-2 close air support (CAS) fighters at $868.4 million.

September 211998

October 51998

September 28, 1998

September 28, 1998

CIA Finally Talks About U-2 Flights

By DAVID A. FULGHUM7 min