Aviation Week & Space Technology
January 29, 1979
Technology Spurs Weapon Gains
BYLINE: By Clarence A. Robinson, Jr.
SECTION: SPECIAL REPORT: U.S. AIR FORCE; Research and Development: Changing Patterns; Pg. 45
LENGTH: 4653 words
DATELINE: Washington
Technology now in the embryonic stages is emerging from U.S. Air Force research and development laboratories and the aerospace industry which will radically change the patterns of weapons system development and acquisition.
Weapons system application that will reflect these changes include:
* Fighter aircraft. Significant performance gains will be achieved in terms of speed, maneuverability, reduced weight and greater fire power. The gains will stem from fiber optic data links with electro-optics, microcomputers and high powered compact laser weapon systems.
* Space systems. Exploitation of space looms as a probability with military manin-space missions in the Rockwell International/NASA space shuttle transportation system. Transmission and retrieval of data will increase for spacecraft with the increased bandwidth potential of optical transmission and the payload capacity of the shuttle and inertial upper stage.
* Strategic missiles. Greatly improved understanding of combustion stability effects through laser Doppler anemometry and other advanced techniques will evolve in the next 10 years. Interest will be renewed in the use of high energy propellants, and in exotic propellant formulations such as metastable hydrogen. Carbon/carbon materials will be used increasingly for upper stages with extendable/expandable exit cones, and advanced thrust termination for solid rocket propellants.
* Tactical missiles. Variety of sensors such as millimeter wave length, imaging infrared and radiometric correlators will be used for all-weather, standoff delivery. Low visible, radar and infrared signature propellants will be used with increased burning rates of about 10 in./sec. at 1,000 psi. Ultrashort propellant consumption times will be available with complete burnout within the launch tube.
Gen. David C. Jones, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and former Air Force Chief of Staff, told AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY that he is more convinced than ever that this is a revolutionary period in terms of data collection, micro-processing and dissemination of information.
He said he believes that within a few years computers will have even more of an impact on daily lives and production of new military systems. The real requirement now, Gen. Jones said, is to combine the available information, assemble it in real time and provide it to political and military commanders so that intelligent decisions can be made on world-shaping events.
'Watching the Battle'
"The airborne warning and control system (AWACS)," Jones explained, "collects tactical information and provides it to the commander in real time. It's just like having the commander standing on a hill watching the battle, only in this case it's the air battle and he sees things in real time. And he need not be in the aircraft since the information can be provided via downlink. The commander doesn't get all the information, but he gets what he needs displayed accurately."
The greatest requirement today, according to the chairman, is to fuse the abundant amount of information available in the areas of command, control and communication with reconnaissance capabilities. Jones wants more information on the enemy available for all the services. "There is too much information available on the enemy's strength, and not enough on his weaknesses -- we need to know his Achilles heel."
This position has lead to real time reconnaissance efforts in the Air Force, both tactical and space-based.
In general, Jones believes that efforts in the U.S. have slacked in the area of basic research and it concerns him. The trend, he said, is toward applied research, and it bothers him that more capital is not being invested in basic science areas. "In our society the money goes where the rewards are the greatest, and the penalty for failure is getting so great that we need to have higher rewards for success and lower penalties for failure."
There is now a great reluctance to develop programs with high risk, but more work should be done in areas where the end is not in sight, he believes.
The lightweight fighter program with the F-16 and F-17 is an example he cited which started with no weapons system in sight. "As a result, we got two of the hottest fighters in the world," he added.
All-weather and night operations for tactical fighters and short takeoff capabilities with combat loads are areas, Jones said, that are being pressed for near-term application. Fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 and the General Dynamics F-16 can operate with under a 1,000-ft. takeoff roll with a formidable air-to-air weapons load. USAF is now studying mobile barriers and arresting gear systems to provide STOL (short takeoff and landing) capabilities for combat operations, especially in the European theater.
Many of the technologies now taken for granted came to fruition over a 20-year period from 1937 to 1957 through a bulging U.S. technology base: nuclear weapons, jet engines, radar, inertial navigation systems, computers and nuclear energy. Jones is concerned that other nations are now moving toward the leading edge of technology, particularly the Soviet Union, through increased research and development spending.
There is great synergism between seemingly unrelated technologies, and there are always unexpected breakthroughs, Jones said. The concept of devoting this special issue to USAF research and development began with Gen. Jones when he pulled a small nuclear magnetic bubble from his shirt pocket and described it to AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY editors as the next generation gyro for fighters.
Diversity in Backgrounds
Since that time Gen. Lew Allen, Jr. has become Air Force Chief of Staff. Allen is a nuclear physicist, and it pleases Jones that there is a diversity in the backgrounds of those responsible for USAF research and development. Gen. Alton D. Slay, commander of Systems Command is an armaments developer, and Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition, is a test pilot and Gemini/Apollo astronaut. The backgrounds of these Air Force leaders are particularly well suited for technology areas where emphasis is being applied -- energy, armaments, laser/particle beam weapons research, and manned/unmanned space systems.
The Air Force laboratories are teamed with industry and other service laboratories to provide research in a number of areas that will bolster the sagging basic science work Jones now worries about.
The USAF laboratories are controlled by System Command director of science and technology, Brig. Gen. B. D. Ward. There are 13 laboratory complexes with funding of about $1.1 billion every fiscal year.The current Fiscal year involves:
* Basic research -- $104 million.
* Exploratory development -- $376 million.
* Advanced development -- $184 million.
* External sources -- $300 million.
Some Air Force organizations and their major efforts include:
* Armament Laboratory, Eglin AFB, Fla. which is seeking to advance the state-of-the-art in conventional munitions to meet the postulated Soviet threat in the 1980s of massed armor in Europe. Emphasis is on self-forging fragment warheads designed to penetrate armor out to 50 ft. at velocities greater than 6,000 fps. Low-cost adverse weather seekers such as millimeter wavelength contrast guidance are being developed for terminal guidance against armor.
* Avionics Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, working in areas of electronic/electromagnetic devices, reconnaissance, navigation and weapons delivery, and active and passive electronics warfare. This lab is developing the electronic agile radar for operating modes which include high resolution mapping using synthetic aperture radar, terrain following/avoidance and intertial navigation. The radar has a growth capability for air-to-air use. The all-weather tactical strike system is being developed for fighter aircraft in the late 1980s for improved radar weapons delivery while operating in a dense electronic warfare environment. A magnetic bubble memory also is being developed as a replacement for magnetic disc, drum and tape recorder systems. The device requires less space and has built in fault tolerance.
* Aeropropulsion Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, is working in major areas of turbine and ramjet engines, power-electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems for aircraft and spacecraft, and fuels and lubricants. Advanced technology engine work is in progress to provide higher thrust per weight and volume with lower support costs.
* Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, where work is being accomplished in the joint USAF/NASA program to verify drag reduction and resultant fuel savings from the use of winglets. Based on the useage rates of the Boeing KC-135 tanker fleet, USAF believes it could save 43 million gallons of fuel per year by using winglets. Advanced composite structures for missiles are being developed to reduce reentry vehicle substructure weight by 20% and provide a 30% cost savings. The advanced fighter technology integration program of the laboratory is designed to couple the fire control and flight control systems to enhance weapons accuracy and fighter survivability.
* Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, is working in areas of manufacturing technology, thermal protection materials, aerospace structural materials, propulsion materials and protective coatings. Particular attention is being paid to work with industry to design and operate production plants of the future where robotics are used to construct parts and assemble aircraft.
* Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, Mass., which is delving into upper atmosphere density, reentry vehicle erosion, ionospheric propagation and spacecraft charging technology. At geosynchronous altitudes a high negative charge potential is built up on the dark side of the spacecraft, while the sunlight side remains near zero. When the current discharges, electromagnetic interference results and causes disruptions or total satellite failure. The program effort is aimed at overcoming this problem by refining environmental specifications for satellites.
* Human Resources Laboratory, Brooks AFB, Tex. where major tasks include flight simulation training, computer-based instructional systems, maintenance simulation training and human resources in systems design.
* Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, Edwards AFB, Calif., seeking to provide longer lifetimes and improved propulsion for satellites and spacecraft, and develop booster and payload propulsion for advanced ballistic missiles and high performance advanced propulsion concepts.
* Rome Air Development Center, Griffiss AFB, N.Y., where digitally coded radar, automated intelligence processing, anti-jam communications, tactical electronic counter countermeasures radar, and emitter location and strike systems work is being accomplished.
* Weapons Laboratory, Kirkland AFB, N.M. where high energy laser weapons work is being accomplished on the USAF/Boeing NKC-135 airborne laser laboratory. USAF officials also envision the use of ground-based high energy lasers for application as antisatellite weapons in response to an attack on U.S. spacecraft. Nuclear weapons design, safety and compatibility work is done at this laboratory along with advanced weapons concepts such as changed particle beams.
* Office of Scientific Research, Bolling AFB, Wash., D.C., which serves as the single manager for basic research programs in areas of life sciences, mathematics and information sciences, physics and geophysics, electronic and solid-state sciences, chemical and aerospace sciences.
* European Office of Aerospace Research and Development, London, which serves as an extension of USAF laboratories to identify foreign technology, engineering and manufacturing advances.
Gen. Allen said that there certainly is no technological plateau he can observe, and no reason to imagine "that the steady progress which has affected the Air Force over recent years cannot be maintained."
The Air Force is particularly a technology intensive organization, and therefore capital equipment intensive, the chief of staff added. Each USAF weapons system operator has a large amount of fire power under his control, and a very large dollar investment in that equipment.
"And it's almost certain that it will continue that way," Allen explained. Even though precision-guided weapons are very important to the Army, and technical improvements are clearly of enormous importance to the Navy, the fact remains that the Air Force will doubtless continue, and should plan to continue, to be a leading technological service, and to place its reliance on steady and significant advancement in weapons systems."
Among the problem areas Allen expresses concern over is "disturbing trends in the quality of technical education, and in the numbers of people with adequate technical education that are made available to us."
Opportunities for continued advancement in systems abound in the field of electronics, "where there is as yet no real limit seen to the amount of computation of data which can be done with very small devices," Allen said.
Other projects with vast potential cited by Allen include:
*Acrodynamic platforms where progress is taking place in the areas of short takeoff and landing (STOL) and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) to "very highly-maneuverable systems, to efficient supersonic vehicles."
* Missile technology, particularly in the strategic area where USAF has little choice but to counter Soviet advancements in accuracy and in multiple independently-targetable warheads.Programs must continue, he said, "which will give us the opportunities to match them and maintain stable, strategic nuclear equipment."
* Command, control and communications, an area where he said the technological opportunities are greatest. But it is an enduring problem to truly match technical capabilities with effective, survivable C<3>. The technology advances very well, "but an enduring command, control and communications system seems always a little bit out of our grasp."
Opportunities arise for the dramatic and novel applications of new technology in development of exotic weapons, according to Allen. "These opportunities arise with reasonable frequency. They challenge us by demanding imagination, boldness, and substantial courage to proceed with them in a way that yields the kinds of advantages potentially there."
Directed energy weapons -- high energy lasers and beam weapons -- are examples Allen signled out. "But there are other such opportunities, and they really exist in almost every field where there is some way of leaping ahead where the risks must be assessed. Many of them are secret, he said, "and we must continue to seek them and to push them."
The chief of staff explained that for years, development of armaments has been almost an afterthought following decisions on aircraft and engine development. He added that he is pleased that is no longer the case with armaments now a development priority, and the Armament Development and Test Center a full product division. "The emphasis is there; the support is there -- the clear recognition of the needs and the advantages of a dynamic approach," Allen added.
Air power has the opportunity to be of great effectiveness against massed armor attacks using new antiarmor now in development.
The use of high energy laser weapons in fighter and bomber aircraft is a possibility, "but there are serious practical problems which must be addressed before one is really sure about how well it will go. We know now that we can do it; we even have idea as to how much it will cost and what kind of performance it will have. But these numbers really need to be better before one reaches the conviction that he should do it.They will doubtless get better as we continue to work on them. And, it's always wise to remember that the laws of physics don't preclude a major breakthrough in those areas."
USAF has always had the dream of putting laser weapons on fighters, according to Allen, "and in a big fighter like the F-15, it has seemed closer at hand than it would be in smaller ones."
The use of the space shuttle will bring about many changes in the Air Force's commitment to space as an operational medium. "There will be men in space with Air Force mission equipment in the future in increasing numbers of circumstances, and, eventually, presumably, an all Air Force space mission."
Man Vs. Machine
The argument in the past over whether to use a man or a machine in space will ease, Allen explained, because the man will now be there on the shuttle.
The Air Force has been driven in recent years to develop long-lived spacecraft to amortize the costs. With the shuttle it may be possible to design a spacecraft for on-orbit assembly, or to accept spacecraft that are less costly by taking a chance on an early launch even though there might be some uncertainty because the checkout of the satellite can be accomplished by the crew in the shuttle after it reaches orbit. This will drive down spacecraft costs because failures can be corrected with shuttle repair or recovery, Allen believes.
Development Cycle
Typically, the Air Force development cycle runs about two years in basic research, three years in the exploratory development stage, five years in advanced development, and another three years in manufacturing before system application. The service is moving rapidly to reduce this lead time.
One important area of development is rocket propulsion. Conventional propellants are reaching theoretical limits. For solid propellants the maximum theoretical specific impulse is about 285 sec., and state-of-the-art technology is 265 sec. Liquid propellants run somewhat higher with the hydrogen-oxygen isp. about 290 sec.
United Technologies is one of the contractors involved in searching for new types of propellants. Unconventional metastable propellants such as inert gas compounds, atomic hydrogen and other esoteric formulations have the potential for significant performance gains -- up to 2,800 sec. isp. for triplet helium.
Storage of the materials in their metastable state is difficult and major gains in energy storage in the next 10-25 years is anticipated. Super conducting storage rings, synthesis and storage of metallic hydrogen, limited control of nuclear fusion and other energy technologies will emerge during this period, according to United Technologies officials.
In the more distant future rockets may be powered by metallic hydrogen pellets or rods serving as burning grains. Triplet helium stored in plastic or monatomic hydrogen maintained in intense magnetic fields may be typical of propellants. Rockets could also be powered by ablated products resulting from bombardment of a mass with electrical or light energy -- continuous wave gigawatt lasers expected by 1990 would perform well.
As a spin-off of current thermonuclear fusion research, a nuclear fusion pulse rocket will be available after the year 2000, possibly for use as a transfer orbit vehicle in space.
Near-term propulsion improvements are likely to be in air breathing systems like ramjets -- liquid or solid fueled -- and ducted rockets. Such systems will be used to increase range and reaction times against increases in speed in enemy aircraft. Within 10 years United Technologies officials believe that ramiets will incorporate infinitely variable inlets and nozzles, compact fuel management systems and have range improvements of 150%.
Gen. Stafford said he is seeking to reverse the trend of decreasing funds in the basic research and experimental technology areas, "but we must still operate within an overall research and development ceiling. This is a problem when troubles develop with major programs. USAF must make difficult decisions, and must sometimes trade off the future to resolve the difficulty," he explained.
One area the Air Force is pursuing vigorously, Stafford said, is to back away from any form of "gold plating." After operational commanders have outlined their requirements, "We can sometimes back off 10% and save up to 30% of the development money in these tradeoffs."
As the deputy chief of staff he also must make development tradeoffs in one operational area, such as strategic offense, which impacts on another, such as tactical aircraft development. "But when we see promising technology such as harassment mini-drones, we have the latitude to realign resources to achieve the near-term gain," he said. Another technology Stafford cited in this category is mosaic infrared starer sensors for application to early warning satellites.
Stafford believes this is a low-risk technology with big benefits for improving the early warning satellite systems response time to ICBM/SLBM attack.
GRumman Corp. is one company involved in the development of mosaic starer sensors. The system incorporates a mosaic array with large numbers of tiny detectors to stare continuously over the entire field to view from space, rather than scanning as with present infrared detectors. The new technology promises a significant improvement in radiometric sensitivity, enabling detection of missiles with cooler signatures, according to USAF officials.
Another emerging technology for USAF application is Grumman's development of a space radar to provide more extensive coverage from the vantage point of space against ICBMs, bombers, tactical aircraft and cruise missiles. Studies show that by the late 1980s a constellation of space-based radars could be operational, placed in orbit by the shuttle and boosted to a 19,300 naut. mi. geostationary orbit by the inertial upper stage.
The radar beam would be generated by phased array antenna elements and electronically shifted from point to point to track high-speed targets. The signal would be radiated from space by a solar-power source.
Stafford explained funding allotments to the technology base. It includes approximately $650 million in Fiscal 1980, in the following categories:
* Propulsion and power -- $121 million.
* Human factors -- $50 million.
* Materials -- $48 million.
* Weaponry -- $151 million.
* Electronics -- $153 million.
* Basic research -- $122 million.
* Environment (geophysics) -- $30 million.
* Flight vehicles -- $49 million.
Technology is emerging now from industry contracts awarded by USAF laboratories and other services which will have a big impact on weapons systems in the next 12 years, Stafford said.
Some examples are systems being developed by Vought Corp. They include:
* Electro-optic phase change scanning laser.A laboratory model has been built and demonstrated to provide the means to control an infrared scanning laser beam. The laser beam is not scanned after generation, but rather emerges from the resonator in the desired direction of propagation. Very large numbers of resolvable beam directions are attainable over a large total scan angle, with switching times between directions of less than 1 microsec. The selection of the beam direction can be done on a random basis. Application of this technology is for active missile guidance and homing systems, and aircrafts fire control.
* Electro-optical phase change optical data processing. A device consisting primarily of a cathode ray tube using a faceplate screen of a new design is being developed for coherent optical data processing. The faceplate screen consists of a multilayer film structure including a layer of electro-optical phase change material. The film is the active component and can be configured for use in either a reflective or transmissive geometry. By addressing points on the screen with an electron beam in response to a signal, the film undergoes a phase transition. The induced phase of the spots addressed by the beam is stable and does not fade in the absence of the beam until erased. The reflective index change permits optical readout of the data. Recorded spots on the order of 1 micron have been achieved, and writing scan frequencies exceed 10 mc.
* Laser radar system. This technology allows the potential for radar with fast, gimballess random address capability and high resolution over a large field of view. This means a simultaneous search and track, and inherent in the system is the ability to use complex search algorithms at lower average transmitted power than conventionally scanned laser radar.The scanning concept also provides the basis for generating synchronous reference coherent wavefronts, increasing receiver sensitivity and reducing transmitted power requirements. The system has application to active guidance and homing systems with significant advantages over passive IR systems because of the capability to discriminate against background and foreground clutter.
* High energy laser protection system. Vought has developed a spray-on coating designed to protect aircraft against high-radiation weapons, and it is being tested on three aircraft in UAF's inventory -- a Boeing KC 135 tanker, a Rockwell International T 39, and Lockheed C-130. The reflective coating has been applied to detachable panels on the aircraft to evaluate climatic and environmental effects. It also has application to hardening of missiles to protect them from laser weapons. The basis of the protection system is the natural high reflectivity of polished aluminum protected by a coating of ablative material applied directly to the naked skin. Paint coatings follow. The protective coating has been successfully tested against high energey laser beams.
John J. Martin, assistant secretary of the Air Force for research, development and logistics, told AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY that the service established a program just about a year ago to look at long-range planning activity. "The idea is to place the Air Force in the year 2000, and look back to see what should have been done to optimize the technology now for that period," he said.
USAF must first determine the changes over which it has no control -- energy, demography, third world nations. With these boundaries it should be possible for a look at the service in that period. Martin believes. "Certain things come with incipient changes . . . the limit on young people, so we seek not to go toward manpower-intensive systems. Other changes are the availability of petroleum resources since USAF consumes more fuel than the other services, although "small by national standards."
Aircraft entering the inventory now operate with engines based on liquid fuel and will be in the inventory for 25 years, so the service is eyeing relatively small changes to lower grade fuels for aircraft.
Air Force is working with the Navy on developing shale oil reserve for aircraft petroleum use, he said.
Martin said the long-term program is just being put together and he is seeking to discover just what mistakes should be avoided as he looks back from the year 2000.
He said that he is convinced that with the intellectual and financial reserves of the U.S., the nation can develop the systems it requires. He cited the example of the Manhattan Project that produced the atomic bomb during World War 2 and said, "charged particle beams and lasers are exactly what I have in mind, and we are doing it without throwing money at the problem."
Martin added that fly-by-wire, coupled with composite materials, sensors and computers on board to determine aerodynamic information, and wing warping of fighters in flight, aircraft will be flown in the near and mid-term in ways that pilots have never witnessed before.
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SUBJECT: MILITARY WEAPONS (92%); MISSILE SYSTEMS (91%); DEFENSE RESEARCH (90%); DEFENSE ELECTRONICS (90%); SPACECRAFT (90%); AIR FORCES (90%); AEROSPACE RESEARCH (90%); RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (90%); SPACE EXPLORATION (90%); DEFENSE INDUSTRY (90%); AEROSPACE SECTOR PERFORMANCE (90%); AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING (89%); ARMED FORCES (89%); AEROSPACE INDUSTRY (89%); BANDWIDTH (79%); FIGHTERS & BOMBERS (78%); LASERS (78%); SATELLITE INDUSTRY (78%); LASER WEAPONS (78%); SURVEILLANCE & RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT (78%); COMPUTER SOFTWARE (77%); FIBER OPTICS (76%); SPACE PROPULSION (75%); SPACE & AERONAUTICS AGENCIES (73%); SHUTTLE BUS & VANPOOL SERVICES (70%);
PERSON: JAMES L JONES (52%);
ORGANIZATION: US AIR FORCE (94%); UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY (59%); US NAVY (59%); NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE (59%); JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF (59%); UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY (59%); JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF (59%); UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY (59%); UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY (59%); NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE (59%);
COUNTRY: UNITED STATES (95%);
STATE: NORTH DAKOTA, USA (79%); ILLINOIS, USA (79%);
COMPANY: US AIR FORCE (94%); UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY (59%); US NAVY (59%); NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE (59%); JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF (59%); UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY (59%); JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF (59%); UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY (59%); UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY (59%); NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE (59%);
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
GRAPHIC: Picutres 1 through 3, Rockwell International Concept in a USAF strategic aircraft design study used forward-swept wings for aerodynamic efficiency. A constant chord wing/canard and constant cross-section fuselage are featured in this design, top left. Northrop Corp.'s air vehicle technology advancements are embodied in an artist's concept of an advanced tactical fighter design. Note the use of top-mounted inlets for advanced engines, left center, and the variable camber wing. The fighter would use two-dimensional nozzles for vectored thrust, and relaxed static stability. Advanced structure composite metallics are used. Advanced strategic air-launched missile is depicted in an artists's concept, lower left, homing on a hostile airborne warning and control aircraft vectoring fighters to attack incoming U.S. bombers. The missile has application for either ground attack or air-to-air modes.; Pictures 4 and 5, Conceptual design of USAF's next-generation primary trainer aircraft, from Fairchild, above, is an aircraft with 1,500-lb.-thrust engines, new design small turbojets with a moderate bypass ratio. The aircraft design is based on the company's A-10 maintenance experience and has side-by-side seating for the flight instructor and student. Night/adverse weather enhanced tactical fighter aircraft design, above right, is depicted in flight over the battlefield. Fairchild this spring will fly a demonstration version of the aircraft with the Westinghouse WX50 radar, a podded Texas instruments forward looking infrared system and a Kaiser head-up display. Hartmann advanced displays will be integrated with the aircraft for evaluation during the flight demonstration series.; Picture 6, Gen. David C. Jones, 57, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . . . attended University of North Dakota and Minot State College . . . commissioned 2nd Lt. USAF 1943 . . . flaw combat missions Korea . . . graduate National War College 1960 . . . Commander-in-Chief U.S. Air Forces Europe 1971 . . . Chief of Staff USAF July, 1974 . . . Chairman Joint Chiefs June, 1978.; Picture 7, Dr. John J. Martin, 58, Asst. Secretary of the Air Force, Research, Development and Logistics . . . graduate University Notre Dame 1943 . . . commissioned U.S. Navy 1944 . . . PhD Purdua University 1951 . . . staff, President's Science Adviser 1969 . . . Associate Deputy Director of Central intelligence for the intelligence Community 1973 . . . appointed Asst. Sec. USAF July 7, 1976.; Picture 8, Gen. Lew Allen, Jr., 63, Chief of Staff U.S. Air Force . . . graduate U.S. Military Academy 1946, advanced pilot training 1948 . . . graduate University of Illinois with master of science 1952 and PhD in physics 1954 . . . Commander Air Force Systems Command 1977 . . . Vice Chief of Staff Air Force April 1, 1978 . . . appointed Chief of Staff July 1, 1978.; Picture 9, Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, 48, Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development and Acquisition . . . graduate U.S. Naval Academy 1952, commissioned USAF . . . outstanding graduate USAF Experimental Flight Test School 1959 . . . astronaut 1962 . . . flew Gemini, Apollo and U.S./Soviet Apollo-Soyuz missions . . . Commander USAF Flight Test Center 1975 . . . Dep. Chief of Staff April 1, 1978.; Pictures 10 through 12, Multi-mode fly-by-wire system is inherent in the advanced technology design concept by Fairchild Republic Corp., above. The technology demonstrator concept is an 18,000-lb.-class aircraft for air-to-air/air-to-ground missions with supersonic cruise capability. Major technology includes vectored thrust and super circulation. Note the thrust deflection exhaust. Light STOL fighter, right, is a conceptual design with relaxed static margin, a two-dimensional nozzle and the capability for takeoff and landing in under 1,000 ft. with combat loads. The 15,000-lb.-class aircraft is for air-to-air combat. Advanced tactical aircraft system conceptual design, below, is a low-level supersonic cruise fighter for night/adverse weather operations in the 30,000-lb. category.; Picture 13, Interactive computer-aided design system to analyze advanced fighter aircraft is used by Air Force Lt. James E. Fucillo. The system is located at Aeronautical Systems Div., and a computer program developed by USAF engineers designs fighter configurations.; Pictures 14 through 15, McDonnell Douglas technology demonstrator, top, is based on the company's F-15 air-superiority fighter with the addition of canards. Aerodynamic and flight control systems enable the pilot to snap the aircraft around in the air. New McDonnell Douglas aircraft design, above, is for the advanced tactical fighter role using new flight control technology.; Picture 16, General Dynamics automated tactical air control center for the Tactical Air Command provides automatic displays of the air situation. Large screen displays provide situation data, and new data can be posted automatically by the processor within milliseconds of receipt. Each of two large screens can function either as a status display of 51 lines by 80 columns of tabular data, or as a geographic situation display of 300 air tracks and 60 ground tracks.; Graph 1, SOVIET AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT; Picture 17, Northrop Corp.'s advanced subsonic trainer concept for USAF/Navy joint service use is designed as a replacement for the company's supersonic T 38 Talon trainer.; Graph 2, SOVIET FIGHTER FORCE LEVEL PROJECTION