Nov 30 1967
From The Space Library
Sen. Henry M. Jackson (D-Wash.) , Chairman, Senate Committee on Armed Services' Nuclear Safeguards Subcommittee, reported from Senate floor that "Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty safeguards [were] being supported and implemented in a satisfactory manner." He said that recent Soviet; and Chinese missile and nuclear developments had formed "serious challenge to the strategic Superiority of US. power on which our defense planners have counted to maintain political stability and to keep the peace." Sen. Jackson listed two prime requirements to maintain US. strategic superiority. First would be strategic offensive capability to penetrate Soviet ABM defenses using new generations of land-based ICBMS and nuclear submarines with better missiles and using MIRVs. Second requirement would be the best ABM defense to protect US. retaliatory second-strike force, to safeguard American people, and to account for allies' needs. He cited seriousness of Soviet's doubling ICBMS, developing orbital nuclear bombs, and deploying ABM system around Moscow, especially when combined with growing Communist Chinese nuclear threat. (Text)
DOD was studying contract performance under its letter contract with Pratt & Whitney for F-111 engines. Orr Kelly, reporting in Washington Star, stated, "The Defense Dept. has ordered a high-level investigation of [[[Pratt & Whitney]] operations] in an effort to cut [F-111 engine costs], Pentagon sources said today." A firm price had not been set-final contract negotiations would begin in early 1968 - but negotiation and fact-finding teams, headed by Asst. Secretary of Navy for Installations and Logistics Graeme C. Bannerman, Chief of Naval Material Adm. I. J. Galantin, and Procurement Control and Clearance Div. Chief Gordon W. Rule would continue to work for final contract containing "target costs, profits and prices to the government." Rising costs were reflected in history of F-111 engine procurement: 1961 cost estimate, $270,000; 1965 Pratt & Whitney ceiling price for British government, $400,000; 1966 Pratt & Whitney letter contract estimates to US. Government, $700,000 to $750,000. Article stated that negotiations on price of engine were "not related to the quality;" further, negotiations would not delay aircraft's development, according to a Navy official. DOD sources emphasized price differences could not be taken "as a full measure of the rise in price because there have been significant improvements in the engine, giving it greater thrust, since 1961." After letter contract was signed, Naval Air Systems Command had asked the Performance Technology Corp. to make an independent investigation of Pratt & Whitney operations. At issue were 2,053 TF-30 engines manufactured in four-year period 1967-1970. (Kelly, W Star, 11/30/67, 1)
AFSC announced that inertial navigation systems of several contractors were receiving first-phase ground testing before second-phase flight testing in jet cargo test-bed aircraft, in AMSA program for advanced development of components for next generation of manned bombers. Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility (CIGTF) of AFMDC was testing systems in specially built van that made daily trips on "uneven" public highways. After ground and flight tests, hardware would be returned to AFMDC for evaluation of "new navigation techniques in an actual flight environment." (MSC Release 188.67)
New U.S.S.R. commission would scientifically study reported UFOS, reported Newport News Press. DOD's contractor to investigate UFOS, Dr. Edward U. Condon of Univ. of Colorado, would invite head of new Soviet commission, retired Air Force Gen. Porfiri A. Stolyarov, to be his guest. Condon would offer Stolyarov access to all US. information, hoping for full exchange of data and close working relationship. U.S.S.R. had in past dismissed UFOS as "American hoax," now did not reject possibility that all UFOS could still be explained away, but warned against outright dismissal. (Newport News Press, 11/30/67,4)
Dr. Alan T. Waterman, 75, physicist and for 12 years Director of National Science Foundation, died at the National Institutes of Health. During WW II, he had served on the National Defense Research Committee and in the Office of Scientific Research and Development. More recently, he had been a member of NASA's Historical Advisory Committee. President Johnson said: "The American people mourn the passing of a foremost man of science and of human purpose, Dr. Alan T. Waterman. Our Government has lost a trusted counselor. As Chief Scientist of the Office of Naval Research and as first Director of the National Science Foundation, he left an indelible stamp of achievement on one of the most vital areas in American life. He will be missed. But succeeding generations will be wiser for his skill and richer for the foresight that marked his long career." (PD, 12/8/67,1648; W Post, 12/2/67, B6)
Two MSFC scientists had received awards from Alabama Section of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Physicist William C. Snoddy was presented Hermann Oberth award for contributions to Explorer, PEGASUS, and Apollo/Saturn programs. Deputy Director, Technical, Eberhard F. M. Rees was given General Holger N. Toftoy award for outstanding technical management during 1947-67. (Space Propulsion, 11/30/67,147)
HYCAT, an organo-iron compound synthesized by United Technology Center as a new solid propellant catalyst, was described as non explosive and completely safe compound having low volatility. Dr. David Altman, UTC President, stated that "HYCAT is actually safer than some of the less effective agents now used in operational missiles." New catalyst test firings were reported and research indicated that its performance was completely predictable, storage being possible for years with no impairment. (Space Propulsion, 11/30/67,141)
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