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Aviation History
1963
1963 - 2180.PDF
FLIGHT International, 12 December 1963 E-A Space and Weapons Company Elliott- Automation has formed a new management company, Elliott Space and Weapon Automation Ltd, with headquarters at Frimley, near Aldershot, Hants, to co ordinate the activities of its divisions concerned with these activities. The company is currently working on a number of projects connected with satellite develop ment, and has extensive contracts for the development of integrated weapon-control systems and instrumentation and simulators associated with them. Elliott-Automation's work on lasers is being carried out in the company's new research laboratory. Directors of the new E-A company are: Cdr H. Pasley-Tyler, RN (RETD), chairman; Mr W. R. Thomas, BSC, MIEE, ARAes, joint managing director; Mr J. de M. Baynham, assistant managing director; Mr D. Hunter, BSC, AMIEE; and Mr H. Surtees, MSC. AEA Sales The UK Atomic Energy Authority have reorganized their sales of nuclear fuels. In future the Authority Member for Production (Mr J. C. C. Stewart, CBE) will be responsible for the commercial exploitation of the products and services of the Authority's Production Group. The Commercial Directorate of the Production Group will operate principally from the Authority's London office at 11 Charles II Street, London SW1. USA New Skyhawk Contract A contract for S46.7m has been awarded the Douglas Aircraft Division by the United States Navy, assuring production of the A-4E Skyhawk attack bomber until December 1965. Agreement was reached on a fixed-price contract, conforming to the intent of the Department of Defense that contractors assume greater risk in the production of military weapon systems. The Pratt & Whitney-powered A-4E is a much-improved Skyhawk and first flew in July 1961. It weighs only 9,3001b empty, but can take off at a weight of 24,5001b including a combat load of missiles, bombs, rockets, guns or nuclear weapons weighing up to 8,2001b. It can be housed in carriers without folding its wings. Highly adaptable to limited-war tactical missions, the A-4 is used by the Marine Corps for close sup port during amphibious assaults, and additional applications are being developed to take advantage of its versatility. Sky- hawks are produced at the Aircraft Division facilities at Long Beach and Palmdale, California. Nuclear Generators for Space The Martin Company is beginning development of nuclear electric generators for communi cations satellites, under US Atomic Energy Commission contract. Martin's Nuclear Division at Baltimore wi " perform an eight-month preliminary design and development programme. Under 981 Promoted chief engineer of the Piasecki Aircraft Corporation of Phil adelphia recently was Mr Bruno J. Uberti, left, seen here with company founder and president Mr Frank N. Piasecki standing in front of the I6H Pathfinder high speed compound heli copter a separate contract, Martin is developing a form of strontium-90 as fuel for the communications-satellite generators. Nuclear generators have already been used aboard three US satellites. The first two, launched in 1961, produced only 2.7W. The third, launched in September 1963, was a 25W unit which supplied the satellite's total electrical needs. AH three were developed by Martin for the AEC. General Electric have also been awarded an AEC contract to develop nuclear generators for space uses. Electricity to power the radio equipment aboard satellites will be produced directly from the heat of radioisotopes by thermo couples. The Martin contract includes development of new high temperature thermo-electric devices. Radioisotope gen erators have been receiving increasing attention since the failures of many solar- powered satellites from radiation damage. Atomic generators are not affected by radiation. Strontium-90 fuel is being considered because of its low cost and abundance. Previous nuclear generators in satellites have used pIutonium-238. For higher power needs, Martin engineers are studying the application of radioisotope generators for manned orbiting space stations under a NASA contract. The space station would support three to six men over a one-to-two year period and require a 2-5kW generator. Sikorsky's Space Contribution Already Sikorsky helicopters have made the follow ing contributions to the United States space and missile effort: three US Air Force CH-3Bs are being modified for space- recovery missions, after recovering Q-2C drones from the Gulf of Mexico during the recent "William Tell" weapons meet; a US Army CH-37 recently caught a 2,5001b target over the White Sands Missiles Range during the MARS (mid-air recovery system) programme; Air Force CH-3Bs flying from Malmstrom AFB have been used to service Minuteman ICBM installations; and both company-owned and military Sikorsky helicopters have been used for recovery of space capsules at NASA's Wallops Station. Colonel T. P. Tatum, vice-commander of the Air Rescue Service, recently spoke of the advantages for such work of the new rear-loading CH-3C: "Our problem is not only the pilot but also the capsule. We envision use of the new bird first at Cape Canaveral in case of any difficulty there. We will be able to provide extended range coverage with only one helicopter because of the CH-3C's water-landing capability. There is [also] a sizeable area in South America where the helicopter is the only vehicle to do the job ... CH-3Cs, with their range and speed, would be deployed around the world if enough of them are available." NASA and USAF investigitions are being made into use of helicopters to recover payloads in the Gemini and Apollo pro grammes, and Mr James T. Dei, of Chrysler Corp, has suggested the use of the S-64 fitted with booms for recovering expended boosters in flight. Lightweight Hydraulic Power Source An 841b hydraulic power package, the Hydrapac Mk 2, has been marketed by Conair Inc, 731 W Wilson Ave, Glendale, Calif. It is claimed to develop abundant hyd-aulic power for flight control and guidance systems in helicopters, aircraft and missiles. Seven interconnecting components requiring 13 connections have been reduced in the Hydrapac to a single unit needing only two connections. Leakage has been virtually eliminated. Designed for a system requiring 1,0001b/sq in pressure, the Hydrapac Mk 2 works within limits of 850 and l,5001b/sq in. The rate of flow is 0.7 US gal/min at 2,325 r.p.m. A Conair pressure regulator valve returns to the reservoir any excess flow over the design system pressure. A signal indicator actuates a warning light in the event of pressure falling below 7501b/sq in. Conair guarantees Conair-built systems employing the Hydrapac for l,000hr between overhaul. Conair's Hydrapac Mk 2 hydraulic power source described above
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