From: skunk-works-digest-owner@pmihwy.com To: skunk-works-digest@pmihwy.com Subject: Skunk Works Digest V6 #15 Reply-To: skunk-works-digest@pmihwy.com Errors-To: skunk-works-digest-owner@pmihwy.com Precedence: Skunk Works Digest Friday, 14 February 1997 Volume 06 : Number 015 In this issue: I Have To Tell Somebody.... SR-71 article in NASA Tech Briefs Skockwaves/SR-71 Re: Jetsons Helicopter Tip Speeds When it has to be there overnight and ontime..... All Quiet on the Skunky Front Where are you??? F-117 Re: F-117 MIG37-B Russian Stealth? re: Russian Stealth? Rumor of 3 craft at Groom Blackbird Lecture Schedule Re: Rumor of 3 craft at Groom 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: patrick@e-z.net Date: Wed, 05 Feb 1997 06:46:43 -0800 Subject: I Have To Tell Somebody.... I heard this on the Tom Snyder Show....During the Apollo Missions a viewer called up with an idea he wanted Snyder to relay to NASA. He was totally serious and thought Snyder could use his influence to get his suggestion through to NASA. He told Snyder that if NASA were to simply change the day the rockets were launched and wait for the next full moon, that they would have a much better chance of hitting their target. ------------------------------ From: "S.K. Whiteman" Date: Thu, 06 Feb 97 12:47:26 EST Subject: SR-71 article in NASA Tech Briefs For those of you who are interested in some of the tech detail of such things there is an article in the Feb 1997, Vol 21 No 2, issue of NASA Tech Breifs, page 28 entitled Aerospike Controller Test System. | / MI \ /___________________ Sam \_____/ | IBM Systems Programmer Chicago/ | * | O Indiana University - I | Ft. Wayne | H Purdue University at Fort Wayne L | 1794-1994 | Fort Wayne, Indiana USA ------------------------------ From: Branden Date: Thu, 06 Feb 1997 20:48:27 +0000 Subject: Skockwaves/SR-71 I live up in WA and we were shaken up by shockwaves last Tue. evening, I was rather curious as to what was causing this but it is now confirmed by the AF that it was caused by a fly by of a SR-71 going mach 3 at 65,000 ft,I wonder if anybody else in the Wa. and Oregon heard these shockwaves last Tue night?? branden ------------------------------ From: "Mike (tHe oRiGiNaL!)" Date: Fri, 07 Feb 1997 22:12:36 +0800 Subject: Re: Jetsons I assure you it wasn't an advertisement or spam. As a matter of being off-topic, it wasn't that too-off, as it dealt with a new aircraft technology that might go into production level for the consumer market. (and I hope it does) btw, about the ATC problem, I think they are ironing that one out.. - - - - - - GREG WEIGOLD wrote: > > Mike: Next time, how about keeping it down to 1K or less when > bringing in off-topic posts. Thanks GW > - - - - - - Sorry about that jpg picture, I felt it would be incomplete w/o it.. Don't Worry, Next time I won't post any pictures.. See You in The Future... ________________________________________________________ MIKE (tHe oRiGiNal!) "The Truth is Out There, So Shall it Will Be Revealed.." Mailto:Mikemail@Skyinet.net DETF:970207-10p ________________________________________________________ "Take a deep breath and relax - - a good way to relieve stress.." ------------------------------ From: David Lednicer Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 09:01:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: Helicopter Tip Speeds Strangely enough, the first helicopter to have swept rotor tips, the Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk, didn't have them to reduce drag (the reason swept surfaces are used on aircraft, usually). Instead, they wanted to move the center of pressure aft at high speeds, to produce a torque that would change the blade twist. Only later, did they notice the reduction in drag and its benefical effects. The Sikorsky aero people then insisted that they be put on the S-70 (UH-60) Black Hawk, which was then in design. Hughes only added swept tips to the AH-64 after it had been flying a while. Swept tips are now seen on quite a few production helicopters, such as the Sikorsky S-76, Agusta A 109, etc. Sadly, the one and only S-67, which was at the time the world's fastest helicopter, was lost in a crash at the Farnborough airshow in 1974, while trying to perform a roll at too low an alititude. - ------------------------------------------------------------------- David Lednicer | "Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics" Analytical Methods, Inc. | email: dave@amiwest.com 2133 152nd Ave NE | tel: (206) 643-9090 Redmond, WA 98052 USA | fax: (206) 746-1299 ------------------------------ From: patrick@e-z.net Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 13:47:56 -0800 Subject: When it has to be there overnight and ontime..... > Air Force News Service > AFNS electronic bulletin board filename: 12feb97 > 970158. New, improved Nighthawk arrives at Holloman > by Tech. Sgt. Anne Proctor > Air Combat Command Public Affairs > > HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) -- A new and improved F- > 117A Nighthawk stealth fighter touched down here Jan. 22. > > The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works delivered the first F-117A configured with > a new navigation system to the 49th Fighter Wing. Dubbed "RNIP-Plus," the > Ring Laser Gyro/Global Positioning System Navigation Improvement Program > reduces the drift pilots experience during flight. > > Drift is when an aircraft's navigation system wanders off its intended flight path > -- a computer problem in the older Inertial Navigation Systems. > > The 49th FW commander, Brig. Gen. Dennis Larsen, is impressed with the > RNIP-Plus. He noted that in a recent mock-bombing mission before the > upgrade he experienced a drift of 1,500 feet; a sharp contrast to fellow pilot > Capt. David Toomey's encounter of zero feet using the new RNIP-Plus. > > "It blew my mind," said Larsen. Toomey is a pilot in upgrade training with 9th > Fighter Squadron at Holloman. > > The new system uses computer technology to integrate the INS and Global > Positioning System -- a group of more than 22 satellites the Air Force uses to > provide navigation data to its aircraft. The net result is the pilot gets continuous > updates to the plane's altitude and overall position, said Maj. Brian Foley, F- > 117A special projects manager at Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force > Base, Va. > > Not only does the RNIP-Plus boost navigation, it also strengthens the F-117A's > targeting capability. Foley said Nighthawk pilots have more precision with > RNIP-Plus because the aircraft's "cross hairs" are aligned closer to the target > than with previous navigation and targeting systems. > > The configuration includes a new control display navigation unit in the cockpit > allowing the pilot to quickly reference and check flight data. The control > display also collects and stores maintenance data on the INS and GPS, a plus for > post-mission maintenance. > > Retrofit of the F-117A fleet is currently under way by Lockheed Martin Skunk > Works with a planned completion in October 1999. (Airman 1st Class Aaron > Cram, 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article). > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Air Force News Agency : DSN: 945-1281 > AFNEWS/IICT : (210) 925-1281 > 203 Norton Street : sysop@afnews.pa.af.mil > Kelly AFB, TX 78241-6105 : ftp.pa.af.mil > Air Force Link http://www.af.mil patrick cullumber patrick@e-z.net ------------------------------ From: gregweigold@pmsc.com (GREG WEIGOLD) Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 17:07:26 -0500 Subject: All Quiet on the Skunky Front The list has been awfully quiet recently..... Is there that little going on, or can't anybody comment on what is going on? GW Greg Weigold Columbia, SC ------------------------------ From: Don Hackett Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 23:46:10 -0500 Subject: Where are you??? As a loyal lurker on skunk works I have to ask: Where are you????? I haven't received any mailings for a week. Are we dead yet? __ __ / ___ / \ / / / / / / \ / / / / / / \ / / / / / / / ____/ ______/ _ / _/ Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. ------------------------------ From: tcrobi@most.fw.hac.com (Tom Robison) Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 09:07:08 +0000 Subject: F-117 The following is from the Air force News Service: HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) -- A new and improved F- 117A Nighthawk stealth fighter touched down here Jan. 22. The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works delivered the first F-117A configured with a new navigation system to the 49th Fighter Wing. Dubbed "RNIP-Plus," the Ring Laser Gyro/Global Positioning System Navigation Improvement Program reduces the drift pilots experience during flight. Drift is when an aircraft's navigation system wanders off its intended flight path - -- a computer problem in the older Inertial Navigation Systems. The 49th FW commander, Brig. Gen. Dennis Larsen, is impressed with the RNIP-Plus. He noted that in a recent mock-bombing mission before the upgrade he experienced a drift of 1,500 feet; a sharp contrast to fellow pilot Capt. David Toomey's encounter of zero feet using the new RNIP-Plus. "It blew my mind," said Larsen. Toomey is a pilot in upgrade training with 9th Fighter Squadron at Holloman. The new system uses computer technology to integrate the INS and Global Positioning System -- a group of more than 22 satellites the Air Force uses to provide navigation data to its aircraft. The net result is the pilot gets continuous updates to the plane's altitude and overall position, said Maj. Brian Foley, F- 117A special projects manager at Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. Not only does the RNIP-Plus boost navigation, it also strengthens the F-117A's targeting capability. Foley said Nighthawk pilots have more precision with RNIP-Plus because the aircraft's "cross hairs" are aligned closer to the target than with previous navigation and targeting systems. The configuration includes a new control display navigation unit in the cockpit allowing the pilot to quickly reference and check flight data. The control display also collects and stores maintenance data on the INS and GPS, a plus for post-mission maintenance. Retrofit of the F-117A fleet is currently under way by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works with a planned completion in October 1999. (Airman 1st Class Aaron Cram, 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article). Tom Robison tcrobi@most.fw.hac.com Hughes Defense Communications (Soon to be Raytheon), Fort Wayne, IN Any opinions expressed herein are mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Hughes Defense Communications, Hughes Aircraft Corp, Hughes Electronics Corp, General Motors Corp, Raytheon, God, or my wife. ------------------------------ From: tcrobi@most.fw.hac.com (Tom Robison) Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 12:22:46 +0000 Subject: Re: F-117 >The following is from the Air force News Service: I don't know why that was sent to the list twice. I only sent it once, and it took 4 hours to be posted. !!?? Tom Robison tcrobi@most.fw.hac.com Hughes Defense Communications (Soon to be Raytheon), Fort Wayne, IN Any opinions expressed herein are mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Hughes Defense Communications, Hughes Aircraft Corp, Hughes Electronics Corp, General Motors Corp, Raytheon, God, or my wife. ------------------------------ From: Don Hackett Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 23:11:45 -0500 Subject: MIG37-B As an attempt to smoke out some hind of respnnse from this seemingly dormant list, here's a question I've been meaning to ask for a while (definite skunky content): Does anyone have any solid information about a MIG-37B "Ferret-E" from just before the collapse of the Evil Empire? The tiny cast-metal model I have of one looks like an F-117 emulator with some hints of F-22 2nd generation stealth. Any wisdom? Regards, __ __ / ___ / \ / / / / / / \ / / / / / / \ / / / / / / / ____/ ______/ _ / _/ ------------------------------ From: Wayne Busse Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 17:27:27 -0600 Subject: Russian Stealth? Don Hackett wrote: > Does anyone have any solid information about a MIG-37B > "Ferret-E" from just before the collapse of the Evil Empire? > The tiny cast-metal model I have of one looks like an F-117 > emulator with some hints of F-22 2nd generation stealth. Sounds like rumor. The Russians haven't seemed willing to sink the Rubles into stealth design, particularly with advances in stand-off missile technology. Sukhoi's new interceptor isn't too stealthy, except for it's designation: Su-27IB, Su-34, Su-32FN - take your pick. - -- Quoted from -JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY -5 June 1996 A new Russian fighter designated MiG-35 is due to make its first flight next year. Developed from the MiG-29 'Fulcrum', the MiG-35 will be heavier, with a new wing and thrust vectoring. MiG-MAPO has completed another advanced fighter known as 1-42, which has yet to be unveiled, and the MiG-35 may be a bid to substitute a simpler design. Wayne Busse wings@sky.net wbusse@johnco.cc.ks.us - -- Wayne Busse wings@sky.net wbusse@johnco.cc.ks.us ------------------------------ From: ahanley@usace.mil Date: Thu, 13 Feb 97 16:27:27 nA Subject: re: Russian Stealth? MiG-37 was a model company's fantasy they came up with to sell more models. Art Hanley Batman: "Do you think this represents the views of his employer"? Robin: "Holy Disclaimer! Of course it doesn't"! ------------------------------ From: Wayne Busse Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 11:29:39 -0600 Subject: Rumor of 3 craft at Groom Here follows an interesting post. Taken with a grain of salt, it entertains at least. The mention of a flying disk, (3) may not be that far out. The following link describes a disk-like, "pumpkinseed" type hypersonic vehicle that has been discussed in Aviation Week and Space Technology: http://www.fas.org/irp/mystery/pde.htm - --------------------------------------------- From: ufologik@usa.net Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 15:50:20 -0800 Subject: Nellis Insider Claims 3 Types of Craft at 51 I have recently come into contact with someone who claims to have had a tour of Area 51 which he refers to as a branch of Nellis. He said he knew a worker who got him in and gave him a tour. Because I only talked with him for a few minutes we didn't get to talk much but he seemed to know what he was talking about. He said there were basically three jets currently being tested. 1) The "Aurora-type Jet" - He descirbed it as heavily swept back wings and a top speed of mach 8 2) A pulse jet - This has 2 engine systems, a regular jet turbine system and some kind of single top mount engine. 3) Flying Disk - No details given I'm going to talk to him some more and hopefully get more info later. Yes, I avoided using his name on purpose. Michael C. McCann U F O n l i n e Http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/1183 UfoLogik@usa.net - --------------------------------------------------- - -- Wayne Busse wings@sky.net wbusse@johnco.cc.ks.us ------------------------------ From: Mary Shafer Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 16:45:00 -0500 (EST) Subject: Blackbird Lecture Schedule This is my second (and last) year as an AIAA Distinguished Lecturer. I know some of the subscribers to this list have caught my gig, and I just realized that it's false modesty that kept me from giving the whole list my schedule. Admittedly, I don't have a lot of lectures left, but I will be covering a lot of territory giving them. March 18--San Diego Aerospace Museum (call Chris Root at 619 545-3941) March 19--China Lake NAS (attendence may be limited to people with base access--I'll check if anyone is interested) April 1--Raleigh, NC (at or near NCSU) April 2--Buffalo, NY (at or near one of the universities, I think) April 29--Dayton, OH (I think this chapter has a Web page) April 30--East Hartford, CT May 1--Binghampton, NY I don't know many details, because someone from the local AIAA chapter will be handling all of them for me; I just tell them what plane I'll be on and they collect me and save me from knowing what I'm doing. If you're interested, you can get information from the local chapter. Regards, Mary Mary Shafer DoD #0362 KotFR shafer@ursa-major.spdcc.com URL http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/People/Shafer/mary.html Some days it don't come easy/And some days it don't come hard Some days it don't come at all/And these are the days that never end.... ------------------------------ From: dadams@netcom.com (Dean Adams) Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 14:09:47 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Rumor of 3 craft at Groom > > Here follows an interesting post. > Taken with a grain of salt, it entertains at least. At least... :> > I have recently come into contact with someone who claims to have had > a tour of Area 51 which he refers to as a branch of Nellis. He said he > knew a worker who got him in and gave him a tour. ... Well, at this point we know the rest is *pure* "entertainment". ------------------------------ End of Skunk Works Digest V6 #15 ******************************** To subscribe to skunk-works-digest, send the command: subscribe skunk-works-digest in the body of a message to "majordomo@pmihwy.com". If you want to subscribe something other than the account the mail is coming from, such as a local redistribution list, then append that address to the "subscribe" command; for example, to subscribe "local-skunk-works": subscribe skunk-works-digest local-skunk-works@your.domain.net To unsubscribe, send mail to the same address, with the command: unsubscribe skunk-works-digest in the body. Administrative requests, problems, and other non-list mail can be sent to either "skunk-works-digest-owner@pmihwy.com" or, if you don't like to type a lot, "georgek@netwrx1.com". A non-digest (direct mail) version of this list is also available; to subscribe to that instead, replace all instances of "skunk-works-digest" in the commands above with "skunk-works". Back issues are available for e-mail request by sending a message to majordomo@pmihwy.com with no subject and a line containing "get skunk-works-digest vNN.nMMM" (where "NN" is the volume number, and "MMM" is the issue number). You can get a list of all available digests by sending the one line command "index skunk-works-digest". If you have any questions or problems please contact me at: georgek@netwrx1.com Thanks, George R, Kasica