Hello,

If you have the opportunity, pick up the October 10th, 2004 edition of Aviation Week & Space Technology. It has an excellent (and detailed) article on the past, present, and future of the Space Shuttle's External Fuel tanks.

The issue also features an interesting article on U.S. Air Force's new XR Targeting Pod. This targeting pod is an incredible piece of technology. The standoff ranges are getting pretty insane. It's gotten to the point that the ballistic weapons on the aircraft can no longer reach far enough. "Consequently, Lockeed Martin is working on a range extension kits to give laser and GPS guided bombs a 40-50 naut. mile reach...pilots can detect, acquire designate and lase a target, release a laser guided weapon on an inbound approach, then turn 90 deg. or more to stay out of threat ranges...The heart of the Sniper XR is a third-generation forward-looking infrared (Flir) array that produces a very clear, stable thermal image form impressively long ranges...XR's Flir is based on a 3-5 micron mid-wave infrared (IR) staring focal plany array...which gives (Sniper) a recognition range 2-3 times longer than that of legacy targeting pods...The array also detects IR wavelengths that pentrate smoke, dust, and smog..."

Enjoy, Vince