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Abmd70.181 net.columbia utzoo!decvax!duke!bmd70!jcp Mon Dec 7 22:58:02 1981 Aviation Week 12/07/81 - Military Affairs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 --------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------ 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 ----------------- 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 -------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------ 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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary prepared by J. C. Pistritto (ARPA address jcp@brl) UUCP address duke!bmd70!jcp

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