Aerospace and military [Technology 1998 analysis and forecast]

While the unmanned landing on Mars and the perils of the Russian Mir space station held center stage in 1997, other space projects, designed with cost-cutting intent, moved toward launch this year or next. Facing similar budget challenges-though, unlike NASA, showing no sign as yet of meeting them-the U.S. Navy began work on radical new warship designs for the 21st century and military and commercial aircraft manufacturers looked to build large, more efficient jetliners.