September 25, 2000

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WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Boeing X-32A Flies, Begins JSF Demonstration Program

LOS ANGELES First flight of the Boeing X-32A Joint Strike Fighter has set in motion a relatively focused test program aimed at fulfilling three specific government requirements for the two JSF contenders.

By BRUCE A. SMITH6 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Long-Hidden Research Spawns Black UCAV

Reagan-era dreams, big budgets influenced development of new unmanned strike aircraft deemed essential for future casualty-free operations

By DAVID A. FULGHUM,ROBERT WALL5 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

U.s., India Expand Civil Aviation Ties

WASHINGTON The U.S. and India have agreed to expand bilateral civil aviation and high-technology trade, solidifying commitments ordained last March. The civil aviation pact is inclusive, aimed at fostering more flights and greater passenger traffic between the two countries, as well as heightened airline competition to drive down fare prices, Jaswant Singh, India’s minister of external affairs, said after the American/Indian summit here Sept. 15.

By PAUL MANN5 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Space Industry Dogged By Lack of Engineers

LONG BEACH, CALIF. Recruiting and retaining engineering talent, particularly in the software field, remains a concern in many, but not all, areas of the space industry. The military has trouble getting the talent it needs. Besides the lure of dot.com riches, demographics play a role, said Deputy Defense Secretary Rudy de Leon.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM5 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Hill Republicans Decry Clinton’s Russia Policy

WASHINGTON Russia’s abject military retains “islands of excellence” in missiles, satellites and germ warfare research, despite 10 years of extreme reductions in its defense budget, according to a partisan congressional critique of the Administration’s Russia policy.

By PAUL MANN5 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Orbcomm Seeks Time in Chapter 11 Filing

WASHINGTON Orbcomm, the low-Earth orbit satellite data and messaging service based on simple satellites launched in stacks of eight, has filed for protection under U.S. bankruptcy law because it needs “just a little more time and money” to get its business off the ground.

By FRANK MORRING4 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Smiths to Gain Clout Through Ti Merger

LONDON The proposed takeover of the TI Group by Smiths Industries signals a major move in the longawaited consolidation among first-tier European aerospace suppliers. The British companies last week agreed to a merger which would create a new entity with aerospace as its largest business segment.

By JOHN D. MORROCCO3 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

France to Keep Tight Reins on Military Procurement

PARIS Even though French military procurement spending will remain flat next year, Defense Minister Alain Richard says the armed forces will stand by their commitment to new programs such as the European A400M airlifter. The French parliament and senate are expected to soon approve the $26.9-billion budget (exclusive of pensions) for fiscal 2001 (which begins on Jan. 1), a defense spending level nearly identical to this year’s $26.8 billion.

By PIERRE SPARACO3 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

UAV Weapons Focus of Debate

WASHINGTON Both U.S. and British war planners see unmanned aircraft as an attractive option to carry both conventional and directed energy weapons beginning some time during the next two decades. In the early 1990s, the U.S. Air Force was experimenting with microwave weapons mounted on modified air-launched cruise missiles.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM,ROBERT WALL3 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Stability Glitch Slows Premier I Flight Test Program

DALLAS Modifications to the elevator of Raytheon Aircraft Co.’s Premier I have delayed FAA certification and customer deliveries of the entry-level business jet until the fourth quarter of this year. The certification target, planned for the end of this summer, has slipped chiefly because of an issue with the airplane’s gust damping qualities under stick-free conditions at high altitude.

By EDWARD H. PHILLIPS3 min

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September 25, 2000

September 25, 2000