Abmd70.167
net.columbia
utzoo!decvax!duke!bmd70!jcp
Tue Nov 17 00:59:31 1981
Aviation Week 11/9/81
Highlights of the November 9, 1981 Aviation Week and Space Technology:
Vought Anti-Satellite System (ASAT)
Vought is ground testing an Anti-Satellite miniture homing vehicle,
designed for air-launch from an F-15 fighter. The missile is over 17ft long,
but only 20 in. in diameter, with a launch weight of 2600 lb.
The system uses an Air Force Short Range Attack Missle (SRAM) booster
as the first stage, and an Altair solid rocket booster as the second stage.
The Altair is also the 4th stage of the Scout launch vehicle.
Also under investigation are satellite defensive measures, including
"shoot-back" anti-ASAT capability, where a satellite would determin it
was under attack, and fire a homing missile at the approaching ASAT before
it got within range. (I hope it can tell the Space Shuttle from an ASAT!!)
Other techniques include ASAT radar jamming, manuevering to avoid interception,
decoys, and ground or space based laser defense systems. Possession of
a space laser system on a worldwide basis would give the possessor a virtual
lock on the use of near-earth space.
India Ready to Order Mirage 2000s
India is approaching an order for up to 150 Mirage 2000 single
engine fighters, in a deal which may lead to Indian licensed production
of the aircraft. The order is seen as a move away from dependence on
Soviet weaponry and a response to the supply of General Dyanmics F-16
fighter aircraft to neighboring Pakistan. Five Mirage 2000 prototypes
exist at this time, with production delayed due to problems developing
the Snecma M53 turbofan engine, and the Thomson-CSF/Marcel Dassault radar.
US Bars Aircraft Export to Libya
Exports of all US aircraft, spares, and avionics equipment will
now require advance validated licenses that will be denied if the
equipment will materially enhance Libyan military capability. The
rule applys to all aircraft costing more than $3 million.
The State Dept also said that Libya has recruited US citizens
to fly some of its Lockeed C-130s and Boeing Vertol Chinook helicopters.
Congressional Budget Action
Hose and Senate conference completed the 1982 defense authorization
bill, approving 400 million more than the Administration had asked for after
its September budget cuts.
The bill includes:
2.1 of 2.4 billion requested for the Rockwell B-1 bomber
1.87 of 1.95 billion for R&D of the MX missile
15.3 million for flight demostration of the General
Dynamics F-16XL fighter
Funding reduction for NAVSTAR global positioning system
50 million for Roland surface->air missiles
484.6 mill for Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters
8 C-130's for the Air National Gaurd although NONE
were requested.
170 mill extra for maitenance and repair
Soviet Launches:
The Soviet Union launched two more Cosmos spacecraft this week
Cosmos 1317, Nov 2nd, into a 12 hr 6 min orbit, with
apogee 24957 miles, perigee 395 miles
Cosmos 1318, Nov 3rd, into an 89.8 min orbit, with
apogee 235 miles, perigee 114 miles, incl. 67.2 deg.
New Nimitz Class Carrier (CVN471) will be named Theodore Roosevelt
Grumman Sales Up:
Grumman announced aircraft and space sales up 20% for the first
nine months of 1981 over a year earlier.
Operating profits rose 41%
Main contributers were the E2-C and EF-111A programs
Also, LTV Corp. has elected to terminate a Grummand takeover attempt.
Boeing Corp. Continues Aircraft Development:
Boeing is continuing development of several commercial aircraft
747 Wide Body transport with a stretched upper deck. Will increase
747 max capacity to 600-800 passengers.
737 Short Haul transport - efficieny improvements are sought in the
130-140 seat 737-300 a stretched and reengined 737-200
727 three engine medium haul transport, a reengined 727-200 with
improved efficency
767 220 seat, twin engine aircraft flight testing is proceeding
757 180-200 seat aircraft rollout scheduled for early next year.
7-7 a new 150 seat aircraft is under consideration, pending
market conditions
McDonnel Douglas DC-10 development:
McDonnel Douglas is studying DC-10 derivatives which new engines
and other evolving technolgy to increase efficiency and reduc
operating costs. The primary new engine candidate is the Pratt
&Whitney 39000 lb thrust PW2037, the lightest engine under
consideration, although the Rolls Royce 40600 lb thrust RB211-535F4
and GE 45000lb thrust CF6-80A engines are also being considered.
Goal is a 20% increase in fuel efficiency, although, of course
"Your Milage May Vary..."
Lockheed is considering halting production of the L1011 TriStar aircraft
Airbus Industrie of France is continuing to accelerate A300 Airbus
production runs. The A300 is a 250 seat medium range twin-engine
transport. Over 150 have been delivered and backlog is 328
Full Color Cockpit Display system is being tested by the Royal Air Force
in a BAC111 research aircraft in Beford, England. The system
is build by Smiths Industries Electronics and Space group, and
gives the pilot 2 full color CRT displays, one for navigation,
one for flight instrument data. The navigation display features
a map mode, where a 6 color aerial map is displayed, with
available weather radar overlay, planned, and actual aircraft
course, and a display of navigational aids in the vicinity
Air Traffic Control Update
No significant increase in ATC system capacity is expected before
fall 1982, despite an influx of newly trained controllers, and
prestrike capacity will be reached in mid-1983. This is the FAA's
most recent forecast. FAA reports that morale in the Air Traffic
Control centers has never been better, with a smaller, leaner
operation reminiscent of the the 1950's and 60's appearing.
Major Airports Oppose Defederalization
Only 3 of 69 airports to be defederalized under a Reagan Administration
plan support the move. The plan enjoys strong support in the US Senate
although the House is leaning against it.
This is a summary of some of the more interesting articles in the November 9th
issue of Aviation Week and Space Technology. This summary is presented as an
informational service only, and the information within is not guaranteed to
be correct, although the best attempt has been made. Address comments
to 'bmd70!jcp'
-Joe Pistritto-
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Bruce Jones, Henry Spencer, David Wiseman.