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This article presents information on the international collaboration regarding challenges faced by the aircraft industry. Hosted by product lifecycle management, software provider UGS, an Aviation Week Executive Roundtable held on November 15, 2004 in Phoenix focused on the realities of making international ventures click. Those attending agreed upfront that the future of space exploration and the development of aircraft, aerospace, defense and security systems rest on joint operation by nations around the globe. Huge barriers exist, ranging from technology-transfer policies to trade agreements and disagreements that have put nations and companies at odds in recent months.

Often turbulent and rarely smooth, transatlantic defense-industrial relations are headed for rough weather, with problems building on several fronts. At the eve of the brewing storm is the thorny issue of technology access and sharing between Washington and its European partners. Concerns in this area already are emerging on the recently selected $6-billion-plus North Atlantic Treaty Organization Alliance Ground Surveillance program. At the same time, Great Britain's long-running efforts to negotiate a waiver that would ease industrial collaboration appears to have stalled, while technology access issues also are proving knotty on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

After two years of little progress, the U.S. Department of Defense is about to get some legislative help in its effort to invigorate multinational co-operation on missile defense. While administration officials are touting recent commitments by Japan and Australia to cooperate on ballistic missile defense, real progress has been slow, in large part due to obstacles on technology sharing. Speaking before an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference on missile defense, Ronald L. Kadish, director of the Missile Defense Agency, noted that regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential and congressional elections, missile defense spending is likely to continue.

Joint Strike Fighter comes under attack over cost, technology transfer and workshare. U.S. lawmakers and the General Accounting Office see problems in the international arrangements underlying the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Their concerns echo complaints from European government and aerospace industry officials, who also have expressed misgivings about how the transatlantic relationship is playing out. One of the criticisms of the international structure is that the Pentagon's foreign JSF partners aren't obligated to share the burden of growing development costs. Development costs have already increased once since the start of the system development and demonstration phase.

Assesses the evolution of technology transfer in the United States by exploring defense conversion and commercialization of international defense and aerospace technology. Impact of technology transfer on industry; State agencies' focus on technology transfer policies and initiatives; Technology commercialization in the United States.

Reports on the acceleration of technology transfer in European aerospace agencies. Dependence on committee structure to move technology into the nonaerospace sector; Experiences of several countries; Problems encountered; Technology transfer programs at European Space Agency and Onera aerospace research organizations.

Reports on the National Technology Transfer Center's move to establish itself as a central, one-stop technology transfer link between United States federal laboratories and private industry. Creation by Congress in 1989; Enhancement of United States competitiveness by providing user-friendly way for American industry to establish appropriate contacts within the federal laboratory system.

Features the growing trend of research laboratories in the United States to accept technology transfer as a means to secure results in view of cuts in federal funding. Defense conversion efforts; Transfer of technology from Europe and the former Soviet bloc states; Joint ventures between government and private industries for product development. INSET: Infrared technology may aid diabetics.; Advanced computing finds.

The article discusses the growth of Israeli defense contractors' operations in India. Topics covered include Israel's openness to India's technology transfer goals, enhanced cooperation between the two nations regarding counterterrorism, and bilateral programs involving acquisitions by both militaries. Also mentioned are Israeli companies supplying defense and military systems to India including Rafael and Elbit Systems.

The article discusses the challenges of technology transfer for Japan which has decided to end ban on arms exports in 2014. Topics discussed include remarks of Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies' president Kosuke Imashimizu regarding Japan's collaboration with its foreign counterparts, improvement in the missile manufacture MBDA's Meteor air-to-air missile by missile, and construction of one submarine per year by Japanese shipbuilders.

The article discusses India's procurement of defense hardware, focusing on its reliance on foreign suppliers while it attempts to increase the domestic defense industry as of February 2014. Topics include defense contractors' aims for the 2014 Defexpo defense technology exposition, the impact of India's foreign direct investment (FDI) cap, and transfer-of-technology clauses between India and foreign defense contractors.

The article discusses collaboration between the aerospace company MTU Aero Engines and Avic Commercial Aircraft Engine Co. Ltd. (ACAE), a division of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, as well as between the aerospace company Avio and Xian Aero Engine. MTU says that technology transfer would be contained in work on the CJ1000 Changjiang engine as well as a potential high-pressure compressor or low-pressure turbine.

The article reports that Avic Defense is adopting an increasingly Western approach to selling its L-15 Falcon supersonic trainer. The company says that it is willing to allow foreign production of the L-15 Falcon. And since the manufacturer is suggesting it will be cheaply priced, the aircraft is likely to retain the key advantage of an aircraft from a developing country.

The article reports on the plan of France and Great Britain to push toward collective defense efforts covering military satellite communication systems and uninhabited combat aerial vehicles (UCAV). According to aerospace analyst Andrew Brooks, a basic issues that can hinder the plan is technology sharing. Great Britain and the U.S. have in place agreements that cover stealth technology that prevent British collaboration with other nations.

The article explores how Airbus is finding ways to undertake work with Chinese partners while minimizing the transfer of know-how to future competitors. The advanced composites venture of Airbus and China has been approved to make A350 parts. Restricting the transfer of jetliner technology to China has become more important to Airbus and Boeing since China launched Comac, a company that aims to compete in the commercial aircraft market. It outlines the strategies adopted by Airbus to limit knowledge transfer to its Chinese partners.

The article reports that the U.S. Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI), together with other U.S. counter-espionage and weapons-proliferation enforcement agencies, is investigating several managers and engineers who allegedly involved with aerospace technology transfer and weapons proliferation with Iran and China. Some charges were directly related to benefiting China's surging space program and Iran's ballistic missile buildup. Physicist Shu Quan-Sheng was one of the people who were arrested.

The article reports that a U.S. supercomputer will be used by the Chinese to operate a new generation of Fengyun weather satellites to be launched as early as May 2008. The advanced weather satellite system will be employed heavily by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as well as civilian weather outlets. It states that the situation illustrates how legal technology transfers between the U.S. and China can also enhance Chinese military capabilities.

The article reports on the status of the critical ground surveillance system program of NATO. It states that the 23 NATO members participating in the Alliance Ground Surveillance program have until year-end to decide if they want to sign a contract with an international consortium to initiate development of the program. It mentions that U.S. technology transfer issues could obstruct the project.

The article focuses on the challenges, pressures, disappointments and victories that characterized the U.S. Air Force's B-2 stealth bomber development effort. As the B-2's first flight approached in 1989, Northrop Grumman Corp. counted more than 100 members of a "Century Club," who had worked more than 100 hours per week for 100 straight days. Early in the flight control system design effort, there was considerable disagreement among engineers about the potential impact of "ground effect," the interaction between the B-2's large wing and the ground during landings. Further, almost 75% of the U.S. aerospace engineers qualified in computer-aided design techniques had been trained through the B-2 program.

Reports on collaboration between European Union countries in the development of advanced aircraft. Objectives of the European Technology Acquisition Program; Obstacle posed by stealth technology for British participation; Specifications for EADS Military Aircraft's unmanned combat air vehicle.

Focuses on the problems associated with the increased use of Russian rocket systems in major joint ventures with United States commercial and military aerospace programs. Technology transfer problems from mission failures and politics; Failure of a Boeing Sea Launch Zenit booster developed by the Ukrainian Yuznoye and Yzmash design bureaus.

The article discusses the Indian government's raising of the limit on foreign ownership of defense companies and encouragement of local firms to partner with foreign companies for technology transfer arrangements and joint ventures. Topics addressed include Tata Advanced Systems' manufacture of parts for Sikorsky S-92 helicopters and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules, naval shipbuilder Larsen & Toubro's investments in training, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.'s limited production.

The article offers information on the signature of a contract for 36 aerospace firm Saab's JAS 39E/F Gripen fighters for Brazil, covering technology transfer. It mentions that financing for Saab's share of the contract will be provided by Sweden's EKN export-import bank. Also includes statement of Lennart Sindahl, senior vice president and head of aeronautics.

Reports on the impact of export restrictions intended to prevent spacecraft builders in the United States from transferring technology to China. Pace of approvals for exports and technical exchanges; Perils of technology transfer expected to be highlighted by a United States House investigation on the dealings of satellite builders with China; Turnover rate for export license applications.

Reports that the United States Congress are looking for ways to refine rules regulating the export of satellites that they mandated in the wake in alleged improper technology transfer to China. Potential damage to the US satellite industry; Expected export controls.

Reports that a United States congressional committee investigative report stemming from a dispute over ultrawideband radar and communication system patents has revealed problems with US technology transfer laws, policies, and regulations. Investigators' conclusion that US Energy department laboratories may not have lived up to the high professional and ethical standards expected of a federally funded entity.

Reports that United States House space subcommittee Chairman Dana Rohrabacher has criticized the US Department of Commerce for overreacting on concerns about technology transfers to China by clamping down on all space transactions. Rohrabacher's criticism on the US satellite industry for helping China acquire launch and missile technology; European executives' plan to design US-made components out of their satellites.

Discusses Boeing Co.'s plan to strengthen controls on the transfer of technical data to its Ukrainian and Russian partners in the Sea Launch venture. The move as an effort to convince the United States government to lift a suspension that has halted work on the project; Jobs lost because of the suspension; Details of Sea Launch; Comments of Boeing officials.

Reports that Northrop Grumman and British Aerospace have unveiled details of their bid for the United Kingdom's Airborne Stand-Off Radar (Astor) program. The bid as linked to an offer by the United States for UK participation in a cooperative development program for the Radar Technology Insertion Program (RTIP) for Joint-STARS; Contingencies for transferring technology for the UK Astor program if the Northrop Grumman/British Aerospace system, dubbed Wizard, is selected; Differences between Wizard and other competitors.

Reports that former Hughes Electronics Corp. executive C. Michael Armstrong was criticised by the United States Senate for exerting pressure on the Clinton Administration in 1993 to lift technology sanctions on China. The sanctions' effect on the company's satellite business; Senate options for tighter controls over American-built satellites launched in China; Planned launch of Chinese Long March boosters; Excerpts from Armstrong letters to Clinton; The seriousness of the technology transfer allegations; Safeguarding US technology.

Focuses on technology transfer opportunities in Europe. Costs of advanced technology tied to stringent aerospace requirements as a hindrance to transfer initiatives; Reasons for limits on financial benefits tied to technology transfers; Application of aircraft engine technology to hybrid electric-turbine powered vehicles.

Focuses on American civil and military airframe manufacturers' use of technical transfer to promote sales while building commercial relationships with Asian nations. Strategies used; McDonnell Douglas' Douglas Aircraft Co. as the firm with the most liberal technology transfer policies toward Asia; Douglas' China program; Lockheed Fort Worth Co.'s experience with technology transfer to Asia.

Reports on efforts by the Marshall Space Flight Center and a consortium led by Texas Instruments' Metallurgical Materials Division to use advanced aerospace materials to develop a demonstrator automobile engine that is lighter and more efficient than existing ones. Plans of the industry team; Funding of the engine program; Total cost; Potential of the program; Members of the consortium; Materials considered.

Features automotive applications of scaled-down aerospace electronics technology. Radar and navigation systems; Adaptation of head-up display technology; Intelligent Vehicle Highway System (IVHS); Crash avoidance systems.

Discusses the pitfalls associated with technology transfer. Failure to recognize the importance of product innovation; Inadequate market preparation; Rockwell International's Navcore 5 Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver modules as an example of a successful technology transfer; Similar case of Grumman Corp.; Guidelines.

Reports on efforts by American universities and colleges' to facilitate technology transfer and research from the defense sector to commercial manufacturers. Role as technology clearinghouses; Government and nongovernment technology transfer funding sources; Technology Transfer Act of 1986; Experience of Georgia Institute of Technology and Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

Focuses on the major importance given by the government to technology transfer in the aerospace/defense industry. Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) as a key tool in the effort; Industry co-funding of federal laboratories; Questions regarding implementation of cooperative research policies; Legislation pertaining to the issues; Development of benchmarks to measure technology transfer.

Reports on the results of a survey of 55 large private companies asking what type of interaction with federal laboratories has the most overall value. Lack of enthusiasm for licensing; Access to unique technical resources as the most positive incentive; Opinion of division directors and chief technical officers; Comments from David Roessner of the Georgia Institute's School of Public Policy in Atlanta.

Reports on numerous Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) proposals lodged with the Energy Department's national laboratories. Search for a more strategic means of evaluation; Long- and short-term options; Effort to adapt CRADA to small businesses; Creation of new businesses.

Focuses on the civil applications of defense technology. Dual-use of technology in Navy and Air Force laboratories; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense Kenneth S. Flamm's dual-use program.

The article discusses the armed forces of Malaysia, examining foreign direct investment in the country, technology transfer, and offset packages. Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi argues that the Malaysian government aims to be a partner of foreign defense companies. The article examines competitions for fighters, airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, and anti-submarine warfare helicopters which have been entered by companies including Saab, Dassault, and Sikorsky.

The article discusses Avic Aviation Techniques (AAT), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) which plans to develop and build business jets with a foreign partner. Aircraft companies including Hawker Beechcraft, Cessna, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) are negotiating with AAT. Other topics include Chinese policies on technology transfer, specifications for potential aircraft, and competition in the business jet industry.

The article discusses the heavy attack helicopter AH-X competition in South Korea. Competitors include the Tiger, offered by the aerospace company Eurocopter, the AH-1Z Viper, from Bell Helicopter, and the Apache, manufactured by the aerospace company Boeing. South Korea may want technology transfer and could use information from the aircraft to develop the Korea Attack Helicopter (KAH).

The article discusses the Indian Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition, which may face delays due to technology transfer evaluations, which have to be completed with the main contract. Bidders, who have submitted aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Saab Gripen, may have to resubmit their bids if the defense ministry is not able to finish its downselect process.

The article examines intellectual property issues related to aeronautics in China. Aircraft industry companies regard China as a large market for jet transports due to the rapid growth of commercial aeronautics passenger traffic in that country. However, the government is attempting to develop the domestic aircraft industry, and its requirements of technology transfers from foreign corporations operating in the country could lead to foreign companies unwillingly aiding Chinese competitors.

The article argues against a close space cooperation between the U.S. and China, and presents several reasons why the U.S. should keep its distance. According to the author, closer relations would create greater opportunities for China to acquire sensitive technology. He argues that the transfers will aid Chinese military modernization, particularly in areas where the U.S. holds an advantage.

The article reports that University of Tennessee Professor J. Reece Roth was convicted September 3, 2008 on 18 counts of unlawfully passing data to Chinese and Iranian post-graduate students on a plasma actuator used in an unmanned aerial vehicle munitions project. The jury in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee has rejected Roth's defense that two foreign nationals working on Air Force contracts had access only to basic research.

The article reports that Hawaii Democrat Representative Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii says no one should expect any support from him in updating the fighter forces of the Japanese military. Abercrombie, chairman of the House Armed Services air-land forces subcommittee, calls himself a real reactionary when it comes to selling sensitive defense technology to foreign governments. To Abercrombie, the technology-transfer issue has nothing to do with humoring U.S. allies.

The article presents an interview with Representative Ike Skelton, the chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, on the war in Iraq, technology transfer and the committee's priorities. He discussed the challenges on the plan to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps. He also gave his opinion on the Chinese anti-satellite weapons, but he pointed out that there is no need to make the space-based capabilities of the U.S. offensive in nature.

This article states that the escalating air traffic levels are heightening concerns about air safety in India and prompting reviews of its Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management system for replacement or upgrades. Raytheon and Thales have set up bases in the country, which has a market as large as China's. Thales uses a multi-domestic strategy, establishing local management teams and arranging for technology transfers.