Flash drives allowed for many DOD workers
Portable data storage devices are in use by many Pentagon employees, despite a departmental ban on the drives, the Department of Defense says. The exceptions to the ban on flash drives are needed, the Pentagon says, because they're key to updating software or managing help desk services. The ban is in place to prevent security breaches and viruses, but there may be thousands of exceptions to it, the department says. Reuters (6/22)

Defense

Defense firms appear to be weathering cutbacks
Despite the tightening of U.S. military budgets, defense contractors appear to be turning to other markets, such as Asia and the Middle East, along with commercial work, to mitigate the reductions. And they express optimism that federal cuts next year may not be as dire as once thought. Still, contractors are shrinking investments, said Marion Blakey, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association. "The uncertainty makes it impossible to move ahead in as aggressive and robust a way as they normally would," Blakey said. Reuters (6/21)

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Commercial Aviation

Third Dreamliner flight diverted in six days
A 787 Dreamliner on Sunday was diverted to Houston after experiencing a brake indicator problem, the third such re-route in six days for a Dreamliner. United Flight 94 to Denver was diverted back to Houston where it landed without incident. Other Dreamliners have been diverted for issues with oil level indicators and an oil filter, and the diverted flights follow a fleet-wide grounding for six months by the Federal Aviation Administration over battery issues. CNN (6/24)

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Trade

Developers of electric taxiing tout fuel savings
Using an electric system to taxi planes on the runway can save as much as $200,000 a year in fuel expenses, says an official with the Honeywell-Safran venture that developed the technology. "We've looked at the mid- to short-haul market, and we think that is where there is the greatest value," says Jim Fusaro, Honeywell product marketing vice president and business manager of the Electric Green Taxiing System. The system, which uses motors in the landing gear, had its debut at the Paris Air Show. AviationWeek.com/Aviation Week & Space Technology (6/24)

Space

Orbital: Antitrust issues blocking engine purchase?
Orbital Sciences says it's hitting roadblocks in its search for a rocket engine that would make its Antares rocket a long-term success, and is raising the possibility that antitrust violations are at work in its inability to find a propulsion system to buy. Currently, Orbital says the only engine it can use is the Russian-made RD-180, but says it has made no progress in attempts to buy the engine from United Launch Alliance, which has the exclusive rights for purchasing it. AviationWeek.com/Aviation Week & Space Technology (6/24)

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Hot Topics

Homeland Security

Air passengers may get OK for electronics
Use of laptops, music players and other electronic gadgets by air passengers may get the go-ahead from the Federal Aviation Administration in coming months, as it considers easing restrictions on their use during landings and takeoffs. It's expected that the FAA will still bar the use of cell phones and Internet use. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (6/22)

AIA News

New poll demonstrates popular support for UAS
AIA released a new poll last week showing the worldwide public perception of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for civil and commercial applications. The findings were unmistakably positive and indicated that governments need to resolve challenges such as perceived privacy issues and airspace regulations for non-military uses. Read more.

U.S. team wins International Rocketry Challenge
Georgetown 4H from Georgetown, Texas has gone on to win it all at the International Rocketry Challenge this year at the Paris International Air Show. After placing first at the Team America Rocketry Challenge National Finals, Georgetown 4H represented the United States against France and Great Britain and can now call themselves world champions. Read more.

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