Current Issue Articles
Bringing Commercial-off-the-Shelf Avionics to Military Cockpits
Industry Support / By Mr. Carl Wolf: For decades commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) avionics have remained attractive as a conceivable solution for military cockpits around the world, primarily due to their relatively low cost and considerably shorter lead-times. The drawback that has persisted has largely been the perception that COTS avionics equipment are not capable of supporting the missions frequently flown by military aircraft or withstanding the harsh environments in which military aircraft typically operate. A leading supplier of avionics systems and integrated flight decks, Garmin Aviation continues to push the envelope, developing products, largely at their own expense, designed around advanced...
Learn MoreOver the Counter Medications
Ask the Flight Surgeon / By CPT Scott A. Cygan, O.D.: Q: Doc, I’ve used a few over-the-counter medications in the past to avoid seeing my flight surgeon. Is this allowed or am I breaking the rules? FS: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are defined as drugs that are reasonably safe and effective for use by the general public without seeking treatment from a health care professional. However, this does not mean these medicines should be considered completely safe or free of potential side effects. In addition, all air crewmembers should be astutely aware that many of these medications are strictly prohibited while...
Learn MoreRobbie Kimbrough Reflects about Life in the NASA Family
Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer: Seems like yesterday when Tom and I were in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Then LTC Robert S. (Shane) Kimbrough had arranged to have COL Bill McArthur inducted into the Gold Honorable Order of St. Michael aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Robbie Kimbrough with her husband, Shane, in Kazakhstan on the grounds of the Russian space training facility./ KIMBROUGH FAMILY PHOTO We watched as COL Jeff Williams, who was replacing Bill on the ISS in April 2006 did the honors. Tom congratulated Bill and a video of...
Learn MoreThe Aviation Engineering Directorate
R&D/S&T / By Mr. Jeffrey L. Langhout: What have you done for me lately, and more importantly, what are you planning to do for me? A Chinook landing in white out conditions in Shah Joy, Afghanistan. / PHOTO BY PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS JON RASMUSSEN Since becoming the AED Director in 2013, we have attempted to increase our focus on the customer. Our engineering capabilities have long been superior, thus upon arriving at AED, my focus was simply to take that engineering excellence and, through building relationships both with our customers and our original equipment manufacturers, develop trust and mutual...
Learn MoreRDECOM: Providing Soldiers with More than Just the Basics
CSM Guest Editorial / By CSM James P. Snyder: The Army relies on its aviation fleet to provide situational awareness and tactical flexibility for ground commanders. Experimental test pilots from the Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center Aviation Development Directorate (AMRDEC ADD) conduct flight control, cueing and sensor testing in brownout conditions during testing at Yuma Proving Grounds in September 2016. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO Army aviators rely on world-class equipment to fly into combat, which increasingly means not only the aircraft itself, but systems such as radar, communications, sensors, munitions and even cyber defense. The Army team...
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