November 16, 1992

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COVER STORY

Versatile Panther 800 Targets Military Market

GRAND PRAIRIE, TEX. Panther 800—a helicopter which combines a proven French-developed airframe and rotor system with the newest U. S.-designed helicopter turbine engine—is being looked upon by its designers as an aircraft capable of providing the U. S. Army and National Guard with a highly versatile new production utility helicopter within a short time.

By DAVID A. BROWN9 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Europe Sets $26-billon Space Program for 1990s

GRANADA, SPAIN Europe's top economic and technology ministers have forged a new $26-billion, eight-year European space plan focused on the Columbus station program, new environmental spacecraft and increased Russian participation.

By CRAIG COVAULT7 min

HEADLINE NEWS

New Direction for X-30 Eyed in Bid to Save Program

NEW YORK National Aero-Space Plane program managers have all but abandoned plans to develop and build a 727-sized single-stage-to-orbit, X-30 flight test vehicle and are scrambling to preserve America's leadership in hypersonics by redirecting efforts toward a reduced-cost, scaled-back hypersonic research and flight test project.

By STANLEY W. KANDEBO6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Defense Conversion Plans Full of Flaws

Defense conversion is likely to get support from the new Clinton Administration and Congress, but decisions probably will be made on political grounds

By DAVID A. FULGHUM5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Belgian Air Force Losing Majority of Fleet to Cuts

PARIS Belgium's defense ministry is poised to slash military spending next year to the lowest level since 1984, including sharp cuts in the air force. Defense Minister Leo Delcroix has recommended a total 1993 defense budget of 97.5 billion Belgian francs (BF) ($3.12 billion), down to the 1 984 spending level at constant value.

By PIERRE SPARACO4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Sdio Seeks Proposals for Topaz 2 Launch

WASHINGTON SAN FRANCISCO The U. S. Strategic Defense Initiative Organization's plans to launch an experimental satellite powered by a Russian-supplied, Topaz 2 thermionic nuclear power system have begun to firm up with the issuance of a draft request for proposals for launch services.

By JEFFREY M. LENOROVITZ,BRECK W. HENDERSON4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Milstar 2 Brings New Program Role

LOS ANGELES The Air Force has awarded a $1.7-billion contract to Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. to develop and test the newgeneration Milstar 2 communications satellite, and produce one spacecraft. Milstar 2 has almost 100 times more communications capacity than the original Milstar 1 design while retaining most of its strengths, according to Brig.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Germans to Review Tiger Procurement

MUNICH The German army will complete a review of its Eurocopter Tiger helicopter operational requirements by midDecember. A buy of 1 37 ships will be maintained or slightly reduced, and a more flexible multirole version could be procured instead of the antitank PAH-2.

By PIERRE SPARACO3 min

November 91992

November 231992

November 16, 1992

November 16, 1992