TRANSPORTATION

Hughes to Upgrade Ukrainian Airports: A Hughes Aircraft Co. subsidiary received a contract to help newly independent Ukraine upgrade its antiquated airport system with state-of-the-art technology. The U.S. and Canadian governments are funding the $800,000 study as part of a Western aid package for republics of the former Soviet Union. “Right now, it’s a relatively small amount, but future growth is anticipated to be significant,” said Joseph Capobianco, a vice president for Hughes’ Ground Systems Group in Fullerton. Once a 10-member Hughes team completes an improvement plan, the company hopes to begin an initial modernization phase later this summer that could be worth $100 million, Capobianco said. Airports at Kiev, Odessa, Lviv and Symferopol are slated for the upgrade that will automate runway traffic and airport facilities.