From: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu Subject: Skunk Works Digest V5 #690 Reply-To: skunk-works-digest@mail.orst.edu Errors-To: skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu Precedence: Skunk Works Digest Sunday, 4 August 1996 Volume 05 : Number 690 In this issue: Re: Recent trip to Edwards AFB, CA Mircowaves and Flight Re: Waverider press-release Re: designations Re: Waverider press-release Aero Sightseeing in CA Re: Designations Re: Microwaves and Flight Re: Skunk Works Digest V5 #689 See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the skunk-works or skunk-works-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl Date: Sun, 4 Aug 1996 17:29:40 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Recent trip to Edwards AFB, CA John, Thanks for the wonderful trip report and the news from Det. 2! The only thing I was wondering - did you get the special NASA and Det. 2 SR-71 tours at Edwards because of 'connections', or are those available to the public now? - -- Andreas - --- --- Andreas & Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl E-Mail: schnars@ais.org 313 West Court St. #305 or: gpahl@raptor.csc.flint.umich.edu Flint, MI 48502-1239 Tel: (810) 238-8469 WWW URL: http://www.umcc.umich.edu/~schnars/ - --- --- ------------------------------ From: simon_stafford@VNET.IBM.COM Date: Mon, 5 Aug 96 07:57:35 EST Subject: Mircowaves and Flight Hi I read a small article in an Australian paper the other day about NASA, supposedly, developing craft that used mircowaves to essentially "cut" the air from in front of the craft thus allowing it to reach speeds in excess of Mach 4 (I think). How does this work? Simon. ------------------------------ From: csmith9@vivanet.com (Chuck Smith) Date: Sun, 4 Aug 1996 18:14:46 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Waverider press-release Thaddeus Beier writes: >I've used neural networks to do color correction, and have read the >literature, and what they are talking about for neural-network control >of airplanes is completely insane. > >A big problem with neural networks is that they are black boxes. That >is, while they do generate the correct response to the given inputs, there >is no way of knowing why they work. Further, there is no guarantee >whatsoever that a set of inputs outside the training set will generate >a useful response; you just have to try it and see. Most often, you >will get something completely wrong as a response to a unforseen >situation. I don't agree. First, the greatest autopilot of all is a"black box", namely, the pilot. I learned to fly many years before I learned about stability derivatives, LaPlace trasforms, transfer functions, linear approximations and small disturbance theory. To say the mathmatics must be understood.. hogwash. I couldn't factor when I did my first snap-roll. >I'd much rather have an engineer use old-fashioned methods to try >to understand what the airplane is doing. Pilot training has no engineering related study! Look at an FAA written exam for a commercail pilot. There is no understanding >with neural networks, there is no way of looking at the resulting >network and saying "See? When the canard is rate-limited, the >controller dumps the flaps" or anything like that. It just works, >probably. > Again, its not the function that will be modified, but the gains as the constants change. Its like a next level. A closed loop controlling a closed loop, if you will. Its exactly what happened to Voyager and Apollo 13. You fire the RCS, see what happens. Compare to what SHOULD have happened. Since the inputs and outputs are known-you can solve for the new constants (stability derivatives or actuator time constants in this case.) With an aircraft things are more (almost infinitely!) more complicated but the same approach will work. You will NEVER get a complete solution because there are too many variables. But think about it. An autopilot gain depends on the actuators and their response time (along a lot of other stuff.) If the hydraulic fluid leaks and the time constant changes, or the voltage drops and the servomotors run slow.. the autopilot is not going to work. If however, it can relearn the time constant it can still have control. Just imagine the Dutch-roll mode! Loose an engine (I mean structurally!) and still figure out the roots to the control function "on the fly!" >Similarly, there is absolutely no way of proving that a neural >network will perform correctly even at all the points inside >the envelope. So don't try? I don't get the point. Until they build a BRS for a 747 it would be worthwhile even if it only worked half the time. A "panic button" if you will. > With engineered systems, you can look at the >equations, and analytically show that the system will do the >right thing everywhere. Never worked in flight conrtols, huh? Ask Calspan. Trial and error is still the best way. Just very expensive and time consuming. > With a neural network, you have to >try it and see. Same thing with an airplane! But people still use CFD. > In a multi-dimensional parameter space typical >of advanced flight systems, this is impossible; there are >trillions of points to try in the envelope. > >Neural networks are cool, no question. They're great for >non-life-critical applications, they are simple, fast, and >sometimes work amazingly well. But they are no substitute >for understanding. Not understanding, is the key to all advances in all things.We call it science. Otherwise, the people who said man was not meant to fly would have won. Afterall- it's insane to think a man can soar like a bird, but men do. Chuck HP11T (EXPERIMENTAL) N821Z ------------------------------ From: habu@why.net (habu) Date: Sun, 04 Aug 1996 17:26:39 -0700 Subject: Re: designations Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl's post inspired me to dig up and transcribe a chart of equipment designations that may be helpful. Personally, I've found these AN designations much more confusing than aircraft designations - hope this helps. Comments/corrections are welcome. I don't know the original source of this info - all I have is what looks like a 5th generation xerox. Jeez, I hope the columns don't get screwed up by various mailers... - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Equipment within the DoD are assigned designations that describe their type and general purpose. Equipment that has been accepted for use by the military and is carried by or in a platform (such as radar in an aircraft or truck or ship) is assigned an AN designator by the US Army at Fort Monmouth (sp?), NJ. The following tables provide information to interpret the AN designations used on military equipment. Platforms such as aircraft, ships, etc. are assigned classification according to the type of mission the platform is to perform. The following tables list the US Military rocket and guided missile type classifications, USAF/USN aircraft classifications, USN ship classifications, and US Army Weapon System Designations. AN Equipment Designations - ------------------------- Platform/Installation Equipment type Purpose - --------------------- -------------- ------- A - Airborne A - invisible light, A - Auxiliary Assemblies heat radiation B - underwater mobile, B - (n/a) B - Bombing submarine C - Carrier (wire) C - Communications D - pilotless carrier D - radiac D - Direction finder, recon and/or surveillance E - (n/a) E = (n/a) E - Ejection/Release F - Fixed ground F = (n/a) F = (n/a) G - General ground use G - telegraph/teletype G - fire control or light directing H = (n/a) H = (n/a) H - recording/reproducing I = (n/a) I - Interphone/PA I = (n/a) J = (n/a) J - electromechanical J = (n/a) or inertial wire covered K - amphibious K - telemetering K - computing (Komputing? :) L = (n/a) L - countermeasures L = (n/a) M - Mobile M - Meteorological M - Maintenance and/or test assemblies N - sound in air N = (n/a) N - Navigational aids P - Portable P - radar P = (n/a) Q = (n/a) Q - sonar/underwater Q - special or combination of purposes R = (n/a) R - Radio R - Receiving, passive detecting S - water S - Special or combina- S - Search, detecting and/or tions of types range and bearing T - ground Transp. T - Telephone (wire) T - Transmitting U - general Utility U = (n/a) U = (n/a) V - Vehicular (ground) V - Visual/Visible lightV = (n/a) W - Water surface W - armament W - automatic flight or remote control X = (n/a) X - facsimile or X - identification/recognition television Y = (n/a) Y - data processing Y - surveillance/control Z - piloted/pilotless Z = (n/a) Z = (n/a) airborne vehicle combinations examples: AN/APG-66 Fire Control Radar AN/ALQ-119 ECM pod A - airborne A - airborne P - radar L - countermeasures G - fire control / light directing Q - special/combination 66 - model number 119 - model number US Military Rockets and Guided Missiles - --------------------------------------- Status Symbol (prefix): J - Special Test - Temporary N - Special Test - Permanent X - experimantal Y - prototype Z - planning Launch Environment Symbols: A - Air B - multiple C - Coffin (?) H - silo stored L - silo launched M - Mobile P - soft pad R - strip U - Underwater Mission Symbols: D - Decoy E - special Elecronic G - surface (Ground) attack I - Intercept - aerial Q - drone T - Training U - Underwater attack W - Weather Type Symbols: M - guided Missile N - probe R - Rocket Design Number: number assigned to for each basic mission or type. Series Symbol: letter assigned to denote major modification of a basic design. first design carries the letter A, letters I and O are not used. example: AIM-9L A - Air launch environment I - Intercept mission M - guided missile 9 - design number L - series symbol USAF Aircraft Classifications - ----------------------------- Basic Mission Symbols: A - Attack B - Bomber C - Cargo & transport F - Fighter H - Helicopter L - Liason Q - target/drone R - Reconnaissance S - Searh & rescue T - Trainer X - eXperimental or research Series Suffix Symbol: letter assigned to denote major modification of a basic design. first design carries the letter A Modified Mission Prefix Symbol: when the basic mission of an airplane has been considerably modified for other than the original or intended purpose, a modified mission prefix symbol may be added as follows: E - special Y - limited production X - eXperimental example: EF-111A E: special F: fighter 111: design number A: first in series US Navy Aircraft Classifications - -------------------------------- Basic Mission Symbols: A - Attack C - Cargo & transport E - special Electronics F - Fighter H - Helicopter O - Observation P - Patrol R - Reconnaissance S - anti-Submarine T - Trainer U - Utility V - V/STOL X - research Series Suffix Symbol: letter assigned to denote major modification of a basic design. first design carries the letter A Modified Mission Prefix Symbol: when the basic mission of an airplane has been considerably modified for other than the original or intended purpose, a modified mission prefix symbol may be added as follows: (note duplications/differences from Basic Mission Symbols) A - Attack C - Cargo & transport D - Director E - special Electronics H - search/rescue K - tanker L - cold weather M - Mine countermeasures Q - drone R - Reconnaissance S - anti-Submarine T - Trainer U - Utility V - staff (VIP?) W - weather Status Symbol: if the aircraft is being used for special work and experimentation, or that it is in planning or a prototype, then a status symbol may be assigned as follows: G - permanently Grounded J - special test, temporary N - special test, permanent X - eXperimental Y - prototype Z - planning example(s): RF-4B ES-3A R - reconnaissance E - special electronics F - fighter S - anti-submarine 4 - model number 3 - model number S - series suffix A - series suffix - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There will be a test covering this material in the next class... Greg Fieser "since I'm self-employed, the above views DO represent those of my employer..." ------------------------------ From: Brett Davidson Date: Mon, 5 Aug 1996 12:29:39 +1200 (NZST) Subject: Re: Waverider press-release On Sun, 4 Aug 1996, OnLine wrote: > Greg Weiglold writes > ><> > >have envisioned for years? Where the machines become the superior > >intellect on this planet, and humans are only the dumb passengers. > The neural net software developed by NASA/McD-D and installed in the F-15 > ACTIVE interprets the pilot's control inputs to make the best possible use > of whatever elements of control are left after a catastrophic failure or > explosion of the a/c...seems like an excellent integration of man/machine. What it implies to me is something like horseriding. The horse is.. well not subservient, but obedient and there is a very intimate relationship between horse and rider and the horse is seen to have a personality. The rider is not a passenger, but on the other hand, doesn't tell the horse to do everything and may wonder why the horse does certain things. An apt analogy for a possible eventual state of affairs? - --Brett "Don't crap in front of the judge's stand Hal." ------------------------------ From: Stanislav Markelov Date: Sun, 4 Aug 1996 21:42:12 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Aero Sightseeing in CA I am going to San Fransisco this thursday .I am planning to rent a car and head to south. Can anyone from the list point out any cool aerospace sightseeing that is open to the public. Thanks in advance. Stan. ------------------------------ From: Kathryn & Andreas Gehrs-Pahl Date: Mon, 5 Aug 1996 00:40:11 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Designations Here is the third, and second to last installment about current US military designations -- I might cover historic designations at another time. I should point out, that the list of designations, which was posted by Greg Fieser, is not only incomplete, but parts are totally wrong -- especially the aircraft designation part. The following is quoted from DoD 4129.15-L (Feb. 1993 issue), a document titled: "Model Designations Of Military Aerospace Vehicles". The document states at page 1-1, under chapter 1 "Administrative Guidance", under point A. "General": "Under DoD Directive 4120.15 (reference (a)), this List shall provide a single source document containing approved designations and popular names for all aerospace vehicles. This List also shall include all vehicles being entered into the inventories. Aircraft with standard DoD designations operated by the U.S. Coast Guard also are included. This List includes approved mission design series (MDS) designations through January 26, 1993." And on page 2-1, under chapter 2 "Aerospace Vehicle Designation System", under point A. "General Information", it states: "All DoD aerospace vehicles are assigned designations referred to as MDS designations. This designation system does not permit unique or specified symbols not described in this List. The system also does not designate aerospace vehicles that are of no interest to the Department of Defense." Now, those paragraphs include terms like "All" and "does not permit", but reality shows that this is not true. I have compiled here some examples of violations of nearly all of those sentences. 1) The regulations are supposed to be applicable to "ALL aerospace vehicles", not only to selected ones. But all classified vehicles -- that is, vehicles whose existance (not only its purpose) are classified -- are missing, see KH-x and other classified satellites, classified missiles like the stealth cruise missiles AGM/MGM-137 from Northrop, but also more ordinary aircraft, like the C-5C, the AH/MH-6, AH-60, CASA C.212 Aviocars, to name just a few, are not listed in this paper, or don't even have an MDS designation at all. 2) Not all designations are listed, especially older ones (of aircraft which are no longer in service) are missing, but other contempory designations are excluded for some reasons too. At the same time, canceled and even never built "paper projects" are (still) listed, including the A-10B, P-7A, T-46A, AT-46A, XFV-12A, and AV-16A. 3) The way aerospace vehicles are supposed to be designated and named is regulated by Joint Regulation AFR 82-1/AR 70-50/NAVAIRINST 8800.3, "Designating and Naming Defense Equipment, Military Aerospace Vehicles," May 18, 1990 (listed as reference (b)). The official rules for the designation of military aerospace vehicles were originally laid down by Air Force Regulation 66-11, and the system is in use since September 18, 1962, basically unchanged. There are actually two distinct systems: a) Aircraft (that usually means manned aircraft, and their derivatives); b) Guided Missiles, Rockets, Probes, Boosters, Satellites (or: "all others"); There are also separate designation systems for engines, systems and stores, nuclear warheads and bombs, US Army and US Navy specific systems for their unique equipment like vehicles, ships and systems. I will cover those later. a) Aircraft: ============ Notation: (P)[(M)B|(M)BV|MV]-xxxS(-yyy)-MA) (Popular Name) where (a) means "a" is optional, [a | b | c] means either "a" or "b" or "c"; P = Status Prefix symbol: Only used if needed. ========================= G - Permanently Grounded (ground-instructional airframes) J - Special Test, Temporary N - Special Test, Permanent X - Experimental (often used for prototypes) Y - Prototype (often used developmental, pre-series aircraft) Z - Planning M = Modified Mission symbol: Only used if needed. Only one allowed. ============================ A - Attack C - Transporter (Cargo) D - Director (drone/RPV controll) E - Special Electronic Installation F - Fighter H - Search and Rescue (SAR) K - Tanker L - Cold Weather (usually ski-equipped) M - Multimission O - Observation P - Patrol Q - Drone (RPV) R - Reconnaissance S - Anti-Submarine (ASW) T - Trainer U - Utility V - Staff (VIP transport) W - Weather B = Basic Mission symbol: ========================= A - Attack B - Bomber C - Transport (Cargo) E - Special Electronic Installation F - Fighter O - Observation P - Patrol R - Reconnaissance S - Anti-Submarine (ASW) T - Trainer U - Utility Z - Research (Experimental) V = Vehicle Type symbol: must be accompanied by either "M" or "B" symbol. ======================== G - Glider H - Helicopter S - Spaceplane [???] V - VTOL/STOL (Vertical or Short Take-Off and Landing vehicle) Z - LTAV (Lighter-Than-Air Vehicle, Zeppelin) xxx = Design Number: ==================== A sequential number for each Basic Mission/Vehicle Type. Each sequence runs consecutively, beginning with 1. Has a dash "-" to its immediate left. S = Series or Version: ====================== Identifies first production model of a design and later models representing major modifications that alter significantly the relationship of the vehicle to its nonexpendable system components or change its logistic support. Begins with "A" and runs consecutively through "Z", skipping "I" and "O" to avoid confusion with "1" and "0". The wording of the series/version symbol description would theoretically allow the prototype of a design to have no series/version symbol, like "YF-22". But "first production model of a design" is usually interpreted as "first model of a design", resulting in mandatory "YF-22A" and even "ZEZ-2A" designations. The following symbols are not part of the designation, and might be applied and/or changed by the using military department. yyy = Block Number: =================== Identifies a production group of identically configured aircraft within a particular design series/version. Assigned in multiples of 5 ("01", "05", "10", "15"). Intermediate block numbers are reserved for field modifications. Has a dash "-" to its immediate left. MA = Manufacturer symbol: ========================= Two letter symbol. Identifies the manufacturer or production plant, where the aircraft was built. Each military department has its own list of symbols. Has a dash "-" to its immediate left. Popular Name: ============= Assigned by the using department. Must be approved by DoD. Serial Number: ============== Identifies a specific aerospace vehicle. Each military department determines its own method of assigning serial numbers. b) Guided Missiles, Rockets, Probes, Boosters, Satellites: ========================================================== Notation: (P)LMV-xxxS(-yyy) (Popular Name) where (a) means "a" is optional; P = Status Prefix symbol: Only used if needed. ========================= C - Captive D - Dummy J - Special Test, Temporary M - Maintenance N - Special Test, Permanent X - Experimental (often used for prototypes) Y - Prototype (often used developmental, pre-series vehicles) Z - Planning L = Launch Environment symbol: Only one allowed. ============================== A = Air (Aircraft) B = Multiple (Air and Ground) C = Coffin F = Individual (Foot, infantry) G = Runway H = Silo Stored (High, launched above earth) L = Silo Launched (Low, launched below earth) M = Mobile (on ground) P = Soft Pad (on ground) R = Ship (Surface Vessel) S = Space (Satellite) U = Underwater (Submarine) M = Mission symbol: =================== C - Transport (Cargo) D - Decoy E - Electronic / Communications G - Surface Attack (Ground) I - Aerial/Space Intercept L - Launch Detection / Surveillance M - Scientific / Calibration N - Navigation Q - Drone (RPV) S - Space Support T - Training U - Underwater Attack (ASW) W - Weather V = Vehicle Type symbol: ======================== B - Booster (B-1 - B-11 + maybe more) M - Guided Missile or Drone (M-1 - M-155 + maybe more) N - Probe (N-1 - N-12 + maybe more) R - Rocket (R-1 - R-18 + maybe more) S - Satellite (S-1 - S-10 + maybe more) xxx = Design Number: ==================== A sequential number for each Vehicle Type. Each sequence runs consecutively, beginning with 1. Has a dash "-" to its immediate left. S = Series or Version: ====================== Identifies first production model of a design and later models representing major modifications that alter significantly the relationship of the vehicle to its nonexpendable system components or change its logistic support. Begins with "A" and runs consecutively through "Z", skipping "I" and "O" to avoid confusion with "1" and "0". The following symbols are not part of the designation, and might be applied and/or changed by the using military department. yyy = Configuration Number: =========================== Only used to denote configuration changes affecting performance or tactics but not nonexpendable components or logistics support. Has a dash "-" to its immediate left. Each military department determines its own method of assigning configuration numbers. Popular Name: ============= Assigned by the using department. Must be approved by DoD. Serial Number: ============== Identifies a specific aerospace vehicle. Each military department determines its own method of assigning serial numbers. According to those regulations, the following aircraft designations (not all of which are listed in the above mentioned publication, though) violate at least one of the designation rules and regulations in existence: Omitted (or publicly not known) designations, and possible explanations: ======================================================================== * A-11 - maybe reserved for "A-17" type aircraft; * C-13 - maybe skipped because of superstition; * C-16 - maybe reserved for "Senior Citizen" type aircraft; * C-30 - maybe reserved for CASA.212 SOF aircraft; * E-7 - maybe reserved for "Tacit Blue" type aircraft; * F-13 - maybe skipped because of superstition; * F-19 - maybe reserved for "F-117A" type aircraft; * H-1 - R-1 was not redesignated * H-2 - R-2 was not redesignated * H-3 - R-3 was not redesignated * H-7 - R-7 was not redesignated * H-8 - R-8 was not redesignated * H-14 - R-14 was not redesignated * H-42 - maybe reserved for USAF helicopter project; * H-44 - maybe reserved for USAF helicopter project; * H-49 - maybe reserved for USAF helicopter project; * O-4 - maybe reserved for "TR-3A Black Manta" type aircraft; * P-1 - probably skipped to keep number of P2V for P-2 and P3V for P-3; * S-1 - probably skipped to keep number of S2F for S-2; * U-12 - probably skipped to keep number of SA-16 for HU-16; * U-13 - probably skipped to keep number of SA-16 for HU-16; * U-14 - probably skipped to keep number of SA-16 for HU-16; * U-15 - probably skipped to keep number of SA-16 for HU-16; * V-3 - skipped to avoid confusion with old V series XV-3; * V-13 - maybe skipped because of superstition; * V-14 - maybe reserved for 'Senior Citizen' or SOF type aircraft; * V-17 - maybe reserved for 'Senior Citizen' or SOF type aircraft; * V-19 - maybe reserved for 'Senior Citizen' or SOF type aircraft; * V-21 - maybe reserved for 'Senior Citizen' or SOF type aircraft; Reused designations, and possible explanations: =============================================== * C-10 - originally assigned to BAe (Handley Page) JetStream version; reused for McDonnell Douglas DC-10 as KC-10A Extender, probably to keep number '10'; * T-1 - originally used for redesignated Lockheed T2V SeaStar; reused for Beech (Raytheon) Model 400T Beechjet as T-1A Jayhawk, probably "politically" motivated creation of new series; * U-25 - originally assigned to Beech Super King Air 200 version; reused for Dassault Falcon 20G as HU-25 Guardian, probably no reason at all :); * AV-8 - originally used for Ryan XV-8A; should be AV-13 or AV-14, some guy screwed up big time!; * V-12 - originally assigned to Pilatus PC-6 version (OV-12A); reused for Rockwell International XFV-12A, probably no reason at all :); Following is a list of unusual, incorrect and otherwise strange designations, which were in use at one or the other time, sorted by category: Combo Basic Mission Symbol with additional "unique" symbol: =========================================================== * F/A-18 - Designated in both sequences, with "/" being a not permitted "unique symbol"; Designations based on Manufacturer Model Number or Name: ======================================================== * C-9 - probably based on McDonnell Douglas DC-9; * C-10 - most likely based on McDonnell Douglas DC-10; * UC-880 - based on Convair Model CV-880; * F-12 - based on Lockheed Model A-12, AF-12; * RU-38A - based on rebuilt Schweizer RG-8A, Model SGS.2-37; Designations with Out-Of-Sequence Numbers: ========================================== * A-18 - based on F-18 number; * A-37 - based on T-37 number; * UC-880 - based on Convair Model CV-880; * FB-111A - based on F-111 number; * F-117A - based on some other number ?; * RU-38A - based on rebuilt Schweizer RG-8A, Model SGS.2-37; * AV-8A - based on A-8 number (not used); should be AV-13 or AV-14; Designations with more than 1 MMS (Modified Mission Symbol): ============================================================ * EKA-3B - E = Electronic & K = Tanker, A = Attack; * ERA-3B - E = Electronic & R = Reconnaissance, A = Attack; * ERB-47H - E = Electronic & R = Reconnaissance, B = Bomber; * ETB-47E - E = Electronic & T = Trainer, B = Bomber; * QRF-4C - Q = Drone & R = Reconnaissance, F = Fighter; * TFA-18 - T = Trainer & F = Fighter, A = Attack; * RFA-18 - R = Reconnaissance & F = Fighter, A = Attack; Designations with wrong or non-existing MMS (Modified Mission Symbol): ====================================================================== * MSB-57B - MS = Missile Simulator, B = Bomber; * MV-22 - M = Marines (should be Special Mission), V = V/STOL; * SR-71 - S = Strategic (should be Anti-Submarine), R = Reconnaissance; * TR-1 - T = Tactical (should be Trainer), R = Reconnaissance; Prefix letter, depicting country (semi-official): ================================================= * A = Australia - AF/A-18A, AF/A-18B; * C = Canada - CC-137A, CC-130E, CC-130H, CF-104A, CF-5A, CF-5B, CF-18A, CF-18B; * N = Netherlands - NF-5A, NF-5B; * S = Spain - SF-5A, SF-5B; * E = Espania/Spain - EF-18A, EF-18B, EAV-8B; Sub-Version letter, depicting country (semi-official): ====================================================== * F = France - C-135F, E-3F; * G = Germany - F-104G, CH-53G; * G = Greece - F-16CG, F-16DG; * J = Japan - F-104J, F-4EJ, F-15J, F-15DJ, OH-6J; * I = Israel - F-15I; * K & KU = Kuwait - A-4KU, TA-4KU, C-9K; * S = Saudi Arabia - F-15S; * S = Spain - AV-8S; Sub-Version letter, depicting purpose/special meaning: ====================================================== * L = Land-based - F-18L; * N = NASA - F-104N, XH-51N; * N = Navalized - F-16N, TF-16N, T-39N; * R = Reconnaissance - KC-135R; * R = Redesigned - U-2R; * R = Reengined - KC-135R, C-135FR; * S & SU = Super - F-104S, A-4SU; Non-Standard Designation modifiers (before Block number): ========================================================= * AEW = Airborne Early Warning - P-3 AEW, C-130 AEW; * CCV = Control Configured Vehicle - B-52 CCV, F-4 CCV, F-16 CCV; * EP-X = Extended Patrol, Experiment - U-2R EP-X; * XL = Extra Large (wing) - F-16XL; * (ADF) = Air Defense Fighter modified - F-16A(ADF); * (CC) = 'Compass Call' modified - EC-130H(CC); * (CL) = 'Comfy Lefy' modified - EC-130E(CL); * (CT) = 'Combat Talon' modified - C-130H(CT); * (R) = Reconnaissance modified - F-14D(R), F-16A(R), F-16B(R); * (RR) = 'Rivet Rider' modified - EC-130E(RR); * (T) & T = Trainer modified - U-2R(T), U-2S(T), U-2CT; * (TT) = 'Tee Town' modified - EB-47E(TT); * (VS) = 'Volant Solo' modified - EC-130E(VS); * + = (Plus) modified / modernized - AV-8B+, C-23B+, F-14A+; * -C = 'Clamp' modified - MC-130E-C; * -I = (Roman 1) modified - C-130E-I; * -II = (Roman 2) modified - B-47B-II, B-47E-II, C-130A-II, C-130B-II, C-130E-II; * -S = 'Swap' modified - MC-130E-S; * -Y = 'Yank' modified - MC-130E-Y; * /101 = for F101 engine modified - F-16/101; * /79 = for J79-GE engine modified - F-16/79; I know it's another long, not 100% on-topic post, so shoot me. ;) - -- Andreas - --- --- Andreas & Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl E-Mail: schnars@ais.org 313 West Court St. #305 or: gpahl@raptor.csc.flint.umich.edu Flint, MI 48502-1239 Tel: (810) 238-8469 WWW URL: http://www.umcc.umich.edu/~schnars/ - --- --- ------------------------------ From: simon_stafford@VNET.IBM.COM Date: Mon, 5 Aug 96 14:55:24 EST Subject: Re: Microwaves and Flight Addendum I found an online reference to the article, it's here ... http://pipelink.rpi.edu/dept/NewsComm/Review/may/may05/space.html Has interesting implications regarding the lack of need for "classically" aerodynamic shapes, see "basketball" reference in the article. Also note the use of "lens-shaped" to describe the craft avoiding the use of the tainted "saucer-shaped". Simon. ------------------------------ From: Corey Lawson Date: Sun, 4 Aug 1996 22:33:32 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Skunk Works Digest V5 #689 On Sun, 4 Aug 1996 skunk-works-digest-owner@mail.orst.edu wrote: > Skunk Works Digest Sunday, 4 August 1996 Volume 05 : Number 689 > > From: thad@hammerhead.com (Thaddeus J. Beier) > Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 12:58:00 -0700 > Subject: Re: Waverider press-release > > A big problem with neural networks is that they are black boxes. That > is, while they do generate the correct response to the given inputs, there > is no way of knowing why they work. Further, there is no guarantee > whatsoever that a set of inputs outside the training set will generate > a useful response; you just have to try it and see. Most often, you > will get something completely wrong as a response to a unforseen > situation. > Neural networks are cool, no question. They're great for > non-life-critical applications, they are simple, fast, and > sometimes work amazingly well. But they are no substitute > for understanding. > > thad > - -- Thaddeus Beier thad@hammerhead.com > Visual Effects Supervisor 408) 286-3376 > Hammerhead Productions Sounds like a pretty damning indictment about HUMAN (if there ever was a "neural net" blackbox machine...) pilots, if I don't mind saying so myself. We fit every negative thing you say about neural nets to a tee. - -------------------------------+--------------------------------------------- Corey Lawson + Daddy lets me drive slowly around the UW Bothell Computer Facilities + driveway on Tuesdays... but only on Tuesdays csl@u.washington.edu + -the Rainman 206.685.5209 + - -------------------------------+--------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of Skunk Works Digest V5 #690 ********************************* To subscribe to skunk-works-digest, send the command: subscribe skunk-works-digest in the body of a message to "majordomo@mail.orst.edu". 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