WASHINGTON The Defense Dept. will replenish its stock of cruise missiles in the aftermath of Operation Desert Fox while U.S. aircraft in the northern nofly zone are trying to destroy Iraqi air defenses to compensate for shortfalls in last month’s air strikes.

WASHINGTON U.S. intelligence officials are seeing signs of a serious threat with the development of surface-to-air missiles guided by millimeter-wave radar that can locate and attack stealthy aircraft while remaining undetected by U.S. combat aircraft.

A National Research Council report assessing NASA’s approach to prioritizing upgrades to the space shuttle urges more agency homework and a restatement of goals before adopting most of the proposed improvements. The NRC also asks NASA to provide stronger incentives to industry to increase contractor participation in generating options.

Washington After firing its main engine for 23.6 min., the Near spacecraft is headed toward a second attempt to rendezvous with Eros in mid-February 2000, where scientists still hope for it to orbit the asteroid for a year. But last week controllers said the spacecraft had no extra fuel.