July 17, 2000

July 17, 2000

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WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Industry Prognosis Flags Ominous Trends

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI9 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Zvezda Launches Amidst Russian Funding Problems

By CRAIG COVAULT6 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Israel Backs Off China Awacs Sale

By DAVID A. FULGHUM,JOHN D. MORROCCO6 min

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2829
WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Industry Prognosis Flags Ominous Trends

Revitalizing a weakened defense industrial base will require decisive action by companies and government working together

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI9 min

3233
WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Zvezda Launches Amidst Russian Funding Problems

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The Russian Zvezda Service Module for the International Space Station is undergoing major systems tests and propulsion firings in orbit to prepare it for a critical ISS docking July 25, but additional problems lie downstream for Russia’s participation in the ISS program.

By CRAIG COVAULT6 min

4445
WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Israel Backs Off China Awacs Sale

WASHINGTON LONDON Bowing to intense U.S. pressure, Israel has scrapped the pending sale to China of a Russian A-50 aircraft fitted with an Israeli-developed Phalcon airborne early warning system which has been a source of friction between the two nations.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM,JOHN D. MORROCCO6 min

3031
WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

NMD Test Failure Seen as Small Slip in Large Program

VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. Failure of the National Missile Defense prototype to intercept a target vehicle on its third attempt was a surprising setback for the program, although Defense Dept. officials have indicated the incident probably will not have a significant impact on future NMD development.

By BRUCE A. SMITH5 min

4849
WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Bell Plans Four-rotor Vertical-lift Transport

WASHINGTON Bell Helicopter Textron has started designing a four-rotor, C-130-size tiltrotor aircraft. The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (Darpa) recently awarded the company a $750,000 contract to begin building a six-foot model of the transport aircraft and to launch a study to validate the design’s ability, in a full-scale version, to lift a 20-ton payload.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM4 min

4647
WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

New Panel to Study Joint-stars Radar Woes

WASHINGTON To end U.S. Air Force dithering on upgrades to the E-8 Joint-STARS ground surveillance aircraft, senior Pentagon civilians will soon present service leaders with an ultimatum. Within 30 days, Pentagon acquisition chief Jacques Gansler is expected to order Air Force officials to decide on a course of action by year’s end.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM3 min

6667
JSF COCKPIT TECHNOLOGY

‘Pilot-Friendly’ Cockpit Benchmark of JSF Design

With few other options, Lockheed Martin catches commercial wave of computer and production-display advances

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT9 min

5859
AIR SAFETY

Crew Distractions Emerge as New Safety Focus

To reduce accidents, researchers are targeting human vulnerability to preoccupation and distraction

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM8 min

5253
AIR TRANSPORT

Against Odds, Airtran Evolves Into Tough, Profitable Competitor

ORLANDO, FLA. The old Valujet gimmicks—the critter-like airplane cartoon logo and antique bells peeling in the head-quarters to alert for company announcements—are long gone. They would be out of place in the quiet, business-like main office of AirTran Airways, Valujet's successor, which has transformed itself in the last year into a new and tough competitor.

By JAMES OTT6 min

6465
AIR SAFETY

Airline Safety Linked to Global Initiatives

DALLAS Worldwide adoption of data-protected Flighi Operations Quality Assurance programs, use of cockpit safety audits and installation of enhanced ground proximity warning systems in all jet transports are important safety tools needed to maintain a downward trend in airline accidents, according to safety officials.

By EDWARD H. PHILLIPS6 min

July 102000 July 242000