Good afternoon, my Camaro and Firebird friends......Here are a couple of articles you might find interesting
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CAMARO SERVES AS U-2 SPY PLANE'S "PACE CAR'
How customers use and modify a car maker's vehicle is an endlessly
fascinating topic to explore and consider.
(One) case in point is the U.S. Airforce, which has been using Chevrolet
Camaros to launch the supersecret U-2 Spy plane.
The Los Angeles Times recently published an interesting account of how one
pilot driving a Camaro Z28 "paces" the U-2 Spy Plane as it lumbers down the
runway at Palmdale, California in the Mojave Desert.
Lockheed-Martin Corp.'s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale developed the U-2
and has been working on a series of modifications for the 21st century,
such as updated radars and sensors.
But because of the awkward design, it needs a parallel pace car to serve as
the pilot's eyes on the ground. "Before the plane could take flight,"
explained the L.A. Times article, "it needed a little help form a piece of
relatively unsophisticated equipment. A Chevrolet Camaro. (
unsophisticated??? Don't think so!)
Another pilot in the Camaro follows the plane and radios directions -- a
routine that is followed in every U-2 takeoff and landing to help deal with
poor visibility from the cockpit.
The U-2 spy planes fly in excess of 65,000 ft -- so high that the pilot
must wear a bulky space suit to prevent the absorption of nitrogen -- or,
quite frankly -- to keep their blood at body temperature.
Because of the bulky suit...and the fact that the plane balances on three
"in-line" wheels on landing, the pilots of the U-2 must rely on a "mobile"
-- another pilot in the chase car -- a Camaro Z28 -- to help them take off
and land.
Although taking off is a difficult task, landing the aircraft is even
tougher. The Air Force said that the U-2 is the hardest plane in its
inventory to touch down safely. For instance, when the aircraft is 10 feet
above the runway, a "mobile" in the Z28 chase car -- which is speeding
along the runway behind the plane -- talks the pilot down to 2 feet above
the surface. At that point, the pilot powers down the engines and
aerodynamically stalls the aircraft to land.
"This ain't your father's Oldsmobile" said a USAF General about the
upgraded U-2 Super Spy Plane....
And to think a fast Chevy Camaro Z28 is up to the task of pacing it!
(portions of article reprinted with permission by Mr. Gerald Scott,
Renaissance News, Detroit, MI)
(Note from Scott: I've seen these Camaros in action and it is a sight to
behold! To see it for yourself, you may want to watch for re-runs of "Joan
Lunden - Behind Closed Doors" on Lifetime Network -- Joan was priviledged,
in one episode, to be able to go up in a U-2.....and as fate would have
it, the landing gear appeared to fail.......in this particular episode
featuring the U-2, there are some great shots of a Z28 at 160mph with the
U-2 plane hovering above it........the "mobile" doing a sight inspection to
ensure that the "in - line" landing gear wheels were indeed locked
down..... and of course, other shots of the car rocketing down the runway
with the Jet.....)
CHEVY'S NEW MID-SIZE PICKUP NAMED "COLORADO" . . . Chevrolet today began
the newest chapter in Chevy Truck's illustrious history by announcing
"Colorado" as the name of its all-new mid-size pickup. "We wanted a name
that would fit within the Chevy Truck portfolio and stand out in the
marketplace," said Russ Clark, Chevrolet marketing director, mid-size
truck. "With the development of an all-new truck, it is crucial to select a
new name that resonates well with customers and has a strong presence."
Dora Nowicki, marketing manager, explained that Chevrolet had tested a wide
range of names over the past several years before deciding on Colorado.
"Colorado had the broadest appeal over the broadest demographic," said
Nowicki. "When consumers hear the name, they think Chevy Truck, so there is
a strong connection to the divisional brand." Colorado marks the fifth
all-new Chevy Truck since the announcement of the Chevy Avalanche at the
1999 North American International Auto Show. Colorado production will begin
at GM's Shreveport truck plant in Shreveport, La. in the fourth quarter of
2003.
CORVETTE RACING DRIVERS EMBARK ON TOUR OF NAVY'S FIFTH FLEET . . . All six
Corvette Racing drivers took off this week on a lap of a different sort.
They're touring the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, which is currently stationed
in the Persian Gulf as part of the ongoing war on terrorism. The Fifth
Fleet has been a fixture of America's military presence in the region for
some time, but has been at a heightened state of alert since the terrorist
attacks against the U.S. on Sept. 11. The drivers will visit U.S. military
installations and ships in the region as part of a goodwill tour in
appreciation of the ongoing efforts and sacrifices being made by U.S.
military personnel. Developed in association with the Navy's Morale,
Welfare and Recreation Division, the idea for the program was the
brainchild of Gary Claudio, GM Racing group marketing manager, who lost
several friends and family in the destruction of the twin trade towers in
New York City Sept. 11.
"Our efforts began at Petit Le Mans last year when we painted the car to
honor the New York police and fire personnel in acknowledgement of the
United We Stand campaign," Claudio said. "We get a lot of attention in the
racing business, but these men and women are truly the heroes who are
enabling us to pursue our dreams and live in a safer world." Claudio and
the drivers will spend about five days in the Persian Gulf where they will
sign autographs, meet military personnel and distribute racing apparel. In
addition to the support of the U.S. Navy, GM Goodwrench Service, GMAC,
UAW-GM, Mobil 1 and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) sanctioning
organization have all made contributions in support of the program.
(Note: the following article may be of interest in that Magna-Ride will be
standard equipment on all 2003 50th Anniversary Corvettes....
GM's Magnetic Ride Control - The World's Fastest Reacting Suspension
Detroit, Mich. - General Motors took vehicle handling and comfort to a new level with the January introduction of Magnetic Ride
Control on the 2002 Cadillac Seville STS, the world's first production car with this leading-edge active suspension.
GM's Magnetic Ride Control is a complete, stand-alone vehicle suspension control system that uses innovative
magneto-rheological fluid-based actuators, four wheel-to-body displacement sensors, and an onboard computer to provide real-time,
continuous control of vehicle suspension damping.
The system responds in one millisecond to provide superior ride, handling and control on even the roughest road surfaces. Magnetic
Ride Control uses a simple combination of sensors, as well as steering wheel and braking inputs from the driver, to reduce noise,
vibration and harshness for a smoother ride.
The system's onboard computer reacts to wheel inputs from the road-sensing suspension by sending an electronic signal to coils in
each damper, changing the damping fluid's flow properties. This fluid contains randomly dispersed iron particles that, in the
presence of a magnetic field, align themselves into structures adopting a near-plastic state. This action regulates the damping
properties of the monotube struts, changing up to 1,000 times per second.
The system offers an expanded range of soft-to-firm damping capabilities for increased control over vehicle motions for a flat ride
and precise handling. The active suspension helps maintain the maximum amount of tire patch in contact with the road, providing
improved wheel control for a safer more secure ride. This new technology also helps reduce the traditional tradeoff between ride
andhandling.
Magnetic Ride Control is superior to the traditional suspensions and the real-time-damping systems found in other performance and
luxury vehicles that use an electromechanical valve to control hydraulic pressure for shock damping.
Engineers at GM Research & Development laboratories, and later with experts at Delphi Automotive Systems, explored ways to
reduce or even eliminate the inherent restrictions of valve-based damping systems. The result is GM's revolutionary system that
eliminates electro-mechanical valves entirely.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control will debut as standard equipment in the 50th anniversary Chevrolet Corvette for the 2003 model
year. That system will feature tour and sport suspension settings. The tour mode, with its extended range of damping capability, is
so capable that it alone provides all the control an everyday driver needs. The sport mode, provides an extra measure of control and
feel for performance enthusiasts who want to take their cars on track.
This technology yields greater levels of tuning precision and ride quality. Ride and handling engineers developing vehicles with
Magnetic Ride Control can spend their time adjusting the algorithms that control the damping responses on a computer, and are
enabled to fine-tune ride and handling characteristics to unprecedented levels of specificity. As a result, drivers will notice better
ride quality, less body roll and improvements in overall handling.
General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. In
2001, GM earned $1.5 billion on sales of $177.3 billion, excluding special items. It employs about 362,000 people globally.
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Magnetic Ride Control: Fact Sheet
What is Magnetic Ride Control?
Magnetic Ride Control is a complete, stand-alone vehicle suspension control system that uses magneto-rheological fluid-based
actuators, four wheel-to-body displacement sensors, and an on-board computer to provide real-time, continuous control of vehicle
suspension damping.
How does it work?
Magnetic Ride Control is made possible by the development of magneto-rheological (MR) fluid located inside the monotube shock
dampers. The fluid is a suspension of magnetically soft, tiny iron particles in a synthetic hydrocarbon-based solution. The fluid's
consistency can be manipulated through the precise application of electronic current, resulting in continuously variable, real-time
damping. In fact, the development of MR fluid is so significant that medical researchers have adapted it for use in high-tech
prosthetic devices, such artificial knees.
What are its benefits?
The system provides a greatly expanded range of soft to firm damping capability, a truly continuous range of damping settings
providing increased control over vehicle motions for a flat ride and more precise handing. The enhanced road-holding capabilities
improve wheel control for a safer, more secure ride.
Magnetic Ride Control offers greater roll control and handling during transient maneuvers, and helps reduce noise, vibration and
harshness for a smoother ride. This new technology helps reduce the traditional tradeoff between ride and handling, and responds 5
times faster than previous real-time damping systems. In addition, greater reliability is possible with its simpler design.
Which GM vehicles are equipped with Magnetic Ride Control?
The 2002 Cadillac Seville STS is the world's first production car with this leading-edge active suspension.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control will debut in 2003 as standard equipment in the 50th anniversary Chevrolet Corvette. The system
also will be optional on other 2003 Corvette coupe and convertible models, except the Z06.
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