AVIATION: Somebody Up There Likes Lockheed

In a major deal that was heavily freighted with international politics, Japan's All Nippon Airways last week ordered six of Lockheed's L-1011 Tri-Stars, which are powered by Britain's Rolls-Royce engines. The $130 million sale was a sorely needed and roughly won victory for Lockheed, which was saved from bankruptcy by a $250 million federal loan guarantee 14 months ago and is counting considerably on the TriStar for its future. The plane nosed out McDonnell Douglas's DC-10 and a short-range version of Boeing's 747 for the All Nippon airbus business. Beyond the prospect...