ATM ModernizationQ&A: Russ Chew A little more than a year ago, in June 2003, Russell Chew became a pioneer in the annals of U.S. aviation history by becoming the first chief operating officer (COO) of the…
Editor's NoteSystem Design: Forged and Counterfeit Parts (Part II) My first encounter with forged parts was almost 40 years ago. I discovered that some U.S. surplus dealers would strip the markings from expensive tantalum capacitors and connectors, and then select or…
CommercialSafety: Getting the Lead Out Tin whiskers on plated electrical leads and printed circuit boards (PCBs) pose a threat to component reliability and safety. They can cause circuit failures, intermittent upsets and electrical arcing. Tin whiskers are…
Business & GAHuman Factors in Avionics Certification Recognizing the role that design-related human error plays in aviation accidents, regulators are placing greater emphasis on human factors in avionics certification. To strengthen the regulatory basis for addressing human factors in…
MilitaryEditor's Note: Lead-Free Avionics? It's hard to believe that something as small as solder on a circuit board can cause a stir in a multibillion-dollar industry that builds and operates fast-moving, multiton vehicles. But it has.…
MilitaryNetwork Centric, Rush to Connect Weaving military systems into a seamless "network of networks"--an enterprise known as the Global Information Grid (GIG)--promises to speed access to critical data, sharpen situational awareness and shorten the "kill chain." As…
Business & GAPerspectives: New Direction Sought For TSA In the last two and a half years, the U.S. government has made progress in fortifying U.S. airports and airways against terrorism. However, despite the billions of dollars spent on federalized passenger…
MilitaryHUD/EVS: Beyond Infrared The Sensors Directorate has planned data collection exercises and analyses to help decide which modes to develop under AALC's sensors option. The directorate's approach to 3D would estimate an object's height by…