Abmd70.181
net.columbia
utzoo!decvax!duke!bmd70!jcp
Mon Dec 7 22:58:02 1981
Aviation Week 12/07/81 - Military Affairs
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A V I A T I O N W E E K A N D S P A C E T E C H N O L O G Y
M I L I T A R Y A F F A I R S S U M M A R Y
December 7, 1981 Vol 115, #23
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Date: 7 Dec 81 21:17:12-EDT (Mon)
From: Joe Pistritto <JCP@BRL>
To: jcp at Brl
Subject: Avaition Week Summary 12/07/81 Military
Via: BRL; 7 Dec 81 22:31-EDT
KC-10 Testing Complete
----------------------
Air Force Testing and Evaluation Center has completed operational
testing of the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 advanced tanker/cargo aircraft.
The Air Forces 6 KC-10s make up the Strategic Air Command's first KC-10
air refueling squadron at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.
France as US Help in AWACS Decision
-----------------------------------
France has asked for Air Force assistance in Frence tests of the
Boeing E-3A AWACS aircraft. The E-3A is in competition with the Grumman
E-2C for the contract, which currently has the edge. An AWACS may visit
France for tests next summer.
AWACS Deployment Data
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Widespread deployment of US AWACS assets has caused each aircraft
to fly and average of 93.8 hr/month during the last year, considerably
more than the 65 hr/month the Air Force had anticipated during peacetime.
The aircraft is experiencing an airborne mission capability of 98%, rather
than the 90% expected, and has used only 85% of allocated maitenance.
Grumman Gets Forward Swept Demonstrator Contract
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Grumman has received a $4.8 million contract for final design and
engineering drawings of the forward swept wing flight demonstrator. Last
March Grumman got a $2 million contract for preliminary design.
USSR Space Record
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Through Nov 20th, the Soviets had launched 92 missions in 1981, more
than in any previous 11 month period. The record launch year was 1976, with
99 missions were launched. Soviet spacecraft launched exceed # launches, as
more than one spacecraft can be launched at once.
France is Committed to Neutron Warhead
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France is firmly committed to deploying the enhanced radiation warhead
it is developing, Congress was told in a closed hearing. According to Army
Maj. Gen. Niles F. Fulwyler, the Russians are "working desperately" to come
to grips with that technology.
US to Urge Support for Nuclear Plan
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The US gov't will urge the NATO allies to support the deployment of
572 cruise and Pershing 2 missiles, despite European popular opposition.
The US is expected to ask the NATO ministers to reaffirm support for the
Theater Nuclear Forces (TNF) modernization plan, while negotiations continue
with the Soviets in the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) in Geneva.
US Seeks Strong Verification in START
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The US will insist on strong verification clauses, beyond the use
of reconnaissance satellites, according to assistant secretary of defense
for international security policy Richard N. Perle.
Soviet Theater Nuclear Forces are estimated as:
270 SS-20 Ballistic Missiles, each with 3 warheads, with a range
of up to 5000km (3105mi) 20 of these have been deployed
in recent months
350 older SS-4s and 5s with range of 1800 km (1118mi) and kiloton range
warheads
SS-22s with at range of just under 1000km (621mi)
Additionally, the Soviets are expected to begin deploying SS-23,
with a range of 500km (310mi)
Even if SS-20s were located east of the Ural Mountains (in Asia), they
would still be able to hit most European targets.
Spanish Senate Favors NATO Membership
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Spain is expected to become NATO's 16th member, after Spanish parlia-
ment approval of a government proposal to join the alliance. The Senate voted
Nov 26 to join NATO, 106 to 60. The lower house approved the resolution Oct
29th, 186-146. Socialist and Communist parties had campaigned against joining
the Atlantic Alliance.
Reports indicate that most Spanish military officials favor NATO
membership.
Infrared Maverick Entering New Phase
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The Air Force/Hughes infrared Maverick air-to-surface missile program
will shift from development to production. The Maverick is also carried by
A-10 aircraft in a television guided form. Production goals are:
150/month in Fiscal 1982
500/month in Fiscal 1983
1000/month by Fiscal 1985, with 500/month of these built by a
second source.
Cost Determined B-1B Avionics Choice
------------------------------------
Cost was the deciding factor in the selection of Westinghouse
Defense and Electronics Systems Center as supplier of the offensive radar
system for the B-1B Long Range Combat Aircraft. From a technical standpoint,
both Westinghouse and Hughes proposals were very close, and the contract could
have gone either way. New requirements for the radar include:
High resolution ground-mapping, achieved thru Doppler beam-sharpening
and synthetic aperature radar technology
Terrain following and terrain avoidance capability
Air to ground ranging
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Summary prepared by J. C. Pistritto (ARPA address jcp@brl)
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