structures. A third highlight was the evaluation of an advanced
rotorcraft airfoil concept, which demonstrated stall-free
operation in a dynamic stall environment. Modelers also developed
a low-speed data base for tailless fighter aircraft to improve
modeling accuracy and reduce development time and cost, as
well as the Control Designer's Unified Interface software
package for optimizing helicopter control system laws.
focused on three areas of aeronautics research and
development in FY 1998. The first demonstrated technologies
that offer the best potential for increasing the capability
and affordability of future aircraft and missile systems,
such as the Joint Strike Fighter and Joint Transport
Rotorcraft. The second area enhanced emerging aircraft
systems, such as the F-22, F-18 E/F, and V-22, to
reduce program risk. The third area extended the service
life for the full spectrum of currently fielded systems.
Specific aeronautics technology highlights for FY
1998 included transonic wind tunnel validation of
an advanced compact inlet system, which offers the
potential for a 35-percent reduction in inlet weight
and volume for a typical fighter aircraft inlet. Another
highlight was the evaluation of bonded repair techniques
on afull-scale fatigue test article, which demonstrated
the capability to arrest fatigue cracks on metallic
This XTE66/SE "CAESAR" engine
is operating on a test stand.
aircraft propulsion, the joint DoD-NASA-industry Integrated
High Performance Turbine Engine Technology program successfully
completed the testing of Pratt & Whitney's turbofan/turbojet
core engine demonstrator, which indicated a significant
increase in engine thrust-to-weight ratio. The program also
successfully completed component and engine structure assessment
research with core engine testing, which verified component
durability in an experimental engine relevant to a broad
spectrum of applications, including the Joint Strike Fighter
and F-22. In aircraft power, DoD personnel successfully
transferred technologies demonstrated under the More Electric
Aircraft initiativeincluding an engine external starter/generator,
an auxiliary power starter/generator, an electric actuator
controller, and electric power distribution technologiesto
the Joint Strike Fighter program.
FY 1998, DoD's evolving space capabilities to provide communications,
surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation, and weather data
continued to support U.S. national security objectives.
In terms of direct support to military operations, DoD's
space systems played a crucial role as a force multiplier
everywhere U.S. forces were deployed, particularly in Bosnia.
FY 1998, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command,
Control, Communications and Intelligence became responsible
for space management functions. The Secretary of Defense
disbanded the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
for Space, and its functions were transferred to the new
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance,
Reconnaissance, and Space Systems.
FY 1998, several milestones were accomplished in the Military
Satellite Communications (MilSatCom) area. The Global Broadcast
Satellite Service (GBS) system was awarded, and a GBS payload
was successfully launched. A UHF Follow-On satellite, a
Defense Satellite Communications System spacecraft, and
a Polar Adjunct program payload were successfully launched.
Also, Milstar II began its initial operational test and
terms of surveillance and warning capability, the Space
Based Infrared System (SBIRS) made significant progress
during the past year. Technicians began the manufacturing
development of the high-altitude component of SBIRS, proceeding
on schedule for deployment during FY 2002. DoD managers
updated mission requirements for SBIRS in FY 1998, and the
low-altitude element underwent a program review in preparation
for the start of program definition. Two flight demonstrators,
designed to test new technologies for the low component,
have made significant progress toward their scheduled launch
in FY 2000, with one of the demonstrators beginning sensor
and bus assembly and integration.
FY 1998, DoD led an interagency Global Positioning System
(GPS) modernization effort to document the evolving needs
of all GPS users and identify effective modifications to
the system to satisfy those needs well into the next century.
As part of this effort, DoD personnel performed a significant
amount of analysis to satisfy the requirement for a second
GPS signal for civil use.
the area of meteorology, DoD's ongoing interagency and international
cooperative efforts made great strides during FY 1998. A
milestone toward the convergence of U.S. civil and military
polar-orbiting weather satellites was reached during FY
1998 when the command and control of both military and civil
weather satellites were consolidated.
FY 1998, DoD continued to work on the Evolved Expendable
Launch Vehicle (EELV) program to develop a national launch
capability that satisfies Government requirements and reduces
the cost of a space launch by at least 25 percent. In November
1997, DoD approved a revision to the EELV acquisition strategy,
which included awarding launch services instead of purchasing
launch vehicles and operations. In June 1998, DoD released
a request for proposal (RFP) that reflected this strategy.
A month later, the two contractors submitted proposals for
engineering and manufacturing development, as well as for
the provision of initial launch services from FY 2002 to
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) continued to contribute
substantially to the expanding flow of vital information
to the warfighter, its national customers, and a growing
set of "nontraditional" users, such as civil,
environmental, and diplomatic customers. The NRO began work
on one such program, Eagle Vision II, a mobile commercial
imagery satellite ground receiving and processing system.
During FY 1998, the NRO also joined with the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency and the Air Force in the Discoverer
II program, an initiative to prove the feasibility of using
a space-based radar for moving target indication. Finally,
the NRO issued two RFP's on the Future Imagery Architecture
to officially begin the acquisition process.
NRO continued to work with its mission partnersthe
National Security Agency, the National Imagery and Mapping
Agency, the Central Measurement and Signature Intelligence
Office, the U.S. Space Command, the Defense Intelligence
Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agencyto ensure
support for intelligence analysis, policy enforcement, and
military operations. To also ensure improved organizational
communication, requirements analysis, and architecture review,
the NRO established both a Systems-of-Systems Architect
and the Air Force-NRO Integration Program Group. In addition,
the NRO assigned personnel to the newly formed National
Security Space Architect's Office.