The turning point came in 1996 with several key projects won by area companies. Although fewer and fewer aerospace projects are on the horizon nationally, work here continues to grow.
Here are some of the Valley's aerospace projects:
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is designing, fabricating parts for and assembling a space shuttle prototype called the X-33 at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale. It is set for launch from Edwards Air Force Base in 1999. The launch facility is set for completion sometime this year.
Aerospike engines: They are intended to power the next-generation space shuttle. A 10% scale X-33 model is bolted to a NASA Dryden Flight Research Center SR-71 research aircraft. Those engines could be fired for the first time in flight over Edwards Air Force Base early this year.
Airborne laser: The laser and its specially modified host, a Boeing 747, will be tested separately at Edwards Air Force Base. The laser will be installed and test flights are set for 2001.
Laser propulsion: The Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate at Edwards is helping engineer a new laser-propulsion system. Tests on solar and electric propulsion are ongoing.
B-2 bomber: Modifications to the B-2 stealth bomber fleet will continue through 2000. More than 500 new employees were added to the modification workforce in 1996 to boost Northrop Grumman's Palmdale presence to more than 2,800.
DarkStar: A second version of this unmanned, radar-evading spy drone has been developed. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' first model crashed in April 1996. The new aircraft is at Edwards and has begun taxi tests. A first flight is expected early this year.
F-22 fighter: So-called advanced tactical fighters are expected to arrive at Edwards Air Force Base for flight tests this spring.
Global Hawk: This unmanned reconnaissance drone, built by Teledyne Ryan in San Diego, is positioned for a first flight this month.
New cruise missile: The Skunk Works continues working on its entry to build the next-generation cruise missile. Radar-evading prototypes are built in Palmdale and will be tested at Edwards. A contract is expected this year.
Joint strike fighter: Envisioned as a family of aircraft that share the same basic frame and major components, they will serve the Air Force, Navy and Marines. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is designing and building its prototypes here. Air Force joint strike fighters should fly at Edwards in 2000.
Towed spacecraft: Kelly Space and Technology expects soon to tow an F-106 at Dryden to demonstrate a spacecraft that would be towed into the upper atmosphere, then launched into space.
Solar propulsion: Dryden continues to work on innovative aircraft such as Pathfinder and Centurion that could change the way the skies are studied. These solar-powered aircraft could one day hover in the upper atmosphere for months collecting information.
Space station escape pod: Fiberglass models fabricated at Mojave's Scaled Composites and enhanced with electronics from Johnson Space Center in Houston might validate an escape pod design for the planned International Space Station. The unpowered X-38 craft is set for a drop test this month.
Tailless aircraft: A tailless aircraft could be more agile and stealthy, according to Boeing Co.'s Phantom Works. To prove the concept, an unmanned 28% scale prototype was completed and remotely piloted during flights at Dryden. It will be kept in flying condition at Dryden for other potential tests.
Rotary rocket: Rotary Rocket officials are building a craft in Mojave that blasts off like a rocket. When it re-enters Earth's atmosphere, a rotor that resembles a helicopter's blades will slow it. Mojave's Scaled Composites plays a major role in the aircraft slated for flight in 1999.
New rocket: The RS-68 is a rocket engine for a new family of Boeing Co. evolved-expendable rockets. Tests have begun at Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate at Edwards. A full test with propellants is set this month.
Space shuttle Atlantis is in for the most extensive overhaul in shuttle history. It is receiving advanced computers, satellite-guided navigation, digital communications and air-lock modifications.
MD-95 wing assembly: Tracor Flight Systems near Air Force Plant 42 continues to produce MD-95 wings. Boeing Co. bought competitor McDonnell Douglas, but the MD-95 is one of the Douglas commercial birds Boeing will keep.
