August 6, 2001

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COVER STORY

Aeroflot Toes Tight Fiscal Line As It Targets Fleet Upgrades

MOSCOW Aeroflot-Russian Airlines has started to see financial improvements as a result of its new strategic plan, but modernizing its fleet remains a major challenge. The Russian carrier, which celebrated its 78th anniversary in February, has been the symbol of the nations’ aviation heritage for at least two generations.

By ALEXEY KOMAROV7 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Bush Wins First Round Of Hill Defense Tussle

WASHINGTON In a legislative triumph for the White House, the Republican-ruled House Armed Services Committee has approved the full $343.3-billion defense budget President Bush seeks for next year, including his more aggressive ballistic missile defense (BMD) program.

By PAUL MANN6 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Logistics, Science Focus of Expedition 3

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The third U.S./Russian crew for the International Space Station is set for launch on Discovery this week for a four-month ISS flight that will stress logistics and science. During eight days of docked operations, the STS-105 Discovery astronauts, along with the new Expedition 3 crew and outgoing second crew, will unload about 6,500 lb. of cargo from the Italian/Alenia Leonardo logistics module.

By CRAIG COVAULT5 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Boeing Shifts 1,100 To Spur Space Business

CRAIG COVAULT CAPE CANAVERAL In a major shift to improve its business competitiveness in space, Boeing will move 1,100 employees from California to the Kennedy and Johnson space centers in Florida and Texas. The move will relocate the core of Boeing’s space shuttle and International Space Station engineering workforce to the primary NASA manned flight centers.

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Costs Cast Shadow On F-22 Go-Ahead

WASHINGTON Only days before U.S. Air Force officials plan to ask the Pentagon to approve low-rate production of the stealth fighter, renewed questions have been raised about the programs cost. At the same time, the system’s performance has received a positive assessment from the Defense Dept.

By ROBERT WALL4 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Money Woes Stall Dreamtime's Dreams

Washington A high-definition television camera and related equipment set for launch to the International Space Station this week on board the space shuttle Discovery will be the first commercial hardware orbited under a new NASA program.

By Frank Morring4 min

COVER STORY

Russian Airports in Midst Of Renovation, Expansion

MOSCOW Two of Moscow’s largest airports, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo, are in the midst of long-term refurbishment efforts, as are Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg and several in Siberia. Russia’s 533 airports posted 14,730 billion rubles ($508 million) in revenues last year, an increase of 87.4% over 1999.

By ALEXEY KOMAROV3 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

France Completes 6-Year Defense Plan

PARIS While no growth is foreseen in French military procurement spending through 2008, cost savings from cross-border programs and Europe’s emerging defense integration— including the planned rapid reaction force—should boost funding efficiency.

By PIERRE SPARACO3 min

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August 6, 2001

Russian Airlines Struggle To Gain Firm Footing

By ALEXEY KAMAROV9 min

JSF Competitors Claim Test Coups

By DAVID A. FULGHUM9 min