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The main reasons for the Georgian military to collapse and allow the Russians to rule the battlefield are a number of blunders by Georgia. Some of these blunders responsible for the Georgian military collapse are discussed.

Key issues that are expected to figure on the agendas of participants at the Farnborough Air Show being held in Farnborough from July 13-18 are discussed.

Aermacchi is nearing the completion of work on the M-346 advanced jet trainer and the industry is waiting anxiously to see if Aermacchi has predicted correctly on the M-346 concept.

Italy is in desperate need of a new generation of tankers, multi-role fighters and unmanned aircraft that can both protect the homeland from illegal immigration and smuggling as well as project airpower as part of an international force. However, defense planners must figure out how the Italian air force (ITAF) can start assembling a 21st century, network-centric force on the cheap while ensuring that any system, already under contract, does not eat up a disproportionate part of the defense budget.

Italian researchers are making breakthroughs in passive radar technology with the support of NATO and the studies are conducted in secrecy during the past few years with the aid of Italian defense procurement agency's land systems branch. A prototype is built and the system has operationally relevant performance against targets ranging from aircrafts and helicopters to missiles, offering attractive detection capabilities against stealth targets that are almost invisible against conventional monostatic air-defense radar.

Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, the chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica who has transformed the Italian defense and aerospace company from a struggling bit player into a global market force, is given the honor of Person of the Year. Guarguaglini states that inducing the Pentagon to buy his helicopter for US presidential service was his biggest achievements.

The author examines the present state and future needs of all branches of the Italian military. Topics include military personnel, operational costs, and projected needs and funding for the Italian Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Italy and the U.K. are two European countries that are working on boosting their space programs despite expected funding constraints. Italy has proposed a new strategic plan to extend funding and program visibility for its civil space program from 3 to 10 years.

Finmeccanica, the Italian company is planning its U.S. strategy following its acquisition of DRS Technologies, and is looking to increase its business prospects. The company is planning to participate in various helicopter competitions in the hope of enhancing its position, and is also planning to use its other U.S. industrial partners as well.

Turkey is launching its indigenous surveillance satellite program by acquiring a submetric optical-imaging spacecraft. It has selected Telespazio of France to supply the Gokturk surveillance satellite, which will also set up a joint venture with a Turkish company to develop and market geospatial information system products.

Alenia Aeronautica is demonstrating the tactical capabilities of its C27J transport aircraft to persuade buyers in the Middle East, the U.S., and Asia.

The article discusses the success of C-27J that has led to Alenia Aeronautica to plan derivatives for the small tactical transport.

Alena Aeronautics is planning to unveil the Sky-Y, a sub-scale model of the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) concept, and hopes to pursue international partners for the same.

AleniaAermacchi's M-346 advanced jet trainer is almost ready except for a few remaining software glitches. The aircraft is equipped with moving map display and it is cleared for 45,000 ft altitude, its large wing is carefully blended with the airframe and is fitted with leading edge maneuvering flaps.

ItalyEs KC-767 will be a simple aircraft initially, dedicated to refueling, cargo-hauling and shifting personnel during far-off deployments, but the aircraft carries many of the Italian air forceEs (ITAFEs) ambitions for network-centric operations, advanced command and control, and intelligence-gathering. The ITAF is ready for the smart tanker concept, which can offer communication links and real-time information to a nation suffering from a natural disaster or war.

Britain is leading the assault on Washington over the contentious issue of technology access on the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), with other programs partners, such as Australia, in support. The JSF engine program is expected to be worth $60-100 billion to sole-source F135 engine-builder Pratt & Whitney if the alternative F136 program is killed, as the Pentagon wants.

Aermacchi is in the midst of an intensive technical and commercial effort to fully develop its two trainer aircraft, the M-346 and M-311 over and above preparing them for their first presentation at the Paris air show at Le Bourget. The Finmeccanica unit is also signing up industrial partners in the hope that the international ties will lead to informal commitments by various governments to buy the aircraft, which are already in flight-testing.

Airbus would be launching its 'all new' A350 aircraft formally at the upcoming Le Bourget air show. The A350 instead of being a mere derivative of the A330 would be redefined to a new widebody in the face of rival Boeing's success with its 787.

European military research and development is discussed. European spending in the sector is about 25% of what the United States spends. Top priorities for research are discussed along with the United Kingdom's Towers of Excellence program.

The author examines a possible joint venture between the United Kingdom and France on the development of unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

Italy's Finmeccaica, which is one of the country's leading defense contractors, has acquired Aermacchi. Finmeccaica, which will assume control over Aermacchi's military training aircraft program, has reported it will expand its avionics, space and helicopter operations.

The Italian Air Force is all set to receive the latest variant of the Panavia Tornado fighter-bomber, whereas other countries are looking towards retiring the Tornados that are currently in service. Though the initial requirement is for the upgrade of 35 Tornados. All will depend on budgetary constraints.

The article discusses the need for European navies to augment their existing fleet with unmanned aircraft. Naval planners also feel that the range of missions wherein unmanned aircraft could be used is growing.

Increased combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have led to rotorcraft manufacturers focusing more and more on the military and government helicopter market. Sweden is one such example which is increasing focus on helicopter procurement following a rise in the number of casualties.

The U.S. and European helicopter industry is busy preparing itself for the upcoming German military rotorcraft requirements, making it very competitive. GermanyEs plans to field 30 maritime helicopters and roughly 19 German air force combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) rotorcraft on an urgent basis mainly for deployment in Afghanistan.

Flight trials of Airbus Military's first two prototypes for the A400M aircraft, MSN1 and MSN2 are gathering pace. The two will soon be joined by the third prototype with final clearance testing for the MSN3 underway, finally providing an impetus to the A400M program.

The large financial guarantee by French export credit agency Coface to cover 95% of the financing will enable Iridium to proceed with a new low-Earth-orbit satellite system. The new satellite will replace Iridium's existing 66-satellite LEO constellation more attuned to the needs of 3G users.

The article discusses the further developments that Airbus Military has planned for its C-212, C-235 and C-295 military transport series. The key element of the company's portfolio remains the production of light and medium military transports.

The article discusses the additional problems and challenges that are being faced by the partners of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The sentiments regarding JSF participation continue to remain multifaceted.

The space policy of the new U.S. administration under President Barack Obama has shown a vast amount of new opportunities and possibilities for NASA. Some of the key changes include the extension of funding for the International Space Station (ISS) until 2020, a greater emphasis on low-orbit research as well as better cooperation with international partners.

European space contractors appear to be doing very good business while making inroads in the global market by focusing on services, where profits are much higher. Astrium and the Thales/Finmeccanica Space Alliance have bagged numerous telecom satellite orders as well as in the remote sensing arena as well.

Italy is adjusting its military forces in Afghanistan by ordering and deploying unmanned aerial vehicles. The country's air force officials are also calling for clearance from the country's leaders to allow the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for offensive operations.

The Dubai Air Show will be a witness to various deals being struck by different Middle Eastern countries that are trying to revamp and modernize their combat fleets. France is attempting to sell its Rafale while Boeing is eyeing the Middle East as a strong market for its 737-based P-8s.

The decision by Boeing to bring about changes in its top management to bring about better program development is being debated. The appointment of James Albaugh to head Boeing's Commercial Airplanes unit is being looked at positively by some keeping in mind his technical knowledge and management ability; however, the area of doubt is his lack of experience in the commercial aviation sector.

The consortium working on the Eurofighter is planning to request parties in interest to consider vital upgrades to the Typhoon. The plans include incorporating the MBDA's Meteor ramjet-powered missile and radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA) aboard the aircraft.

Agusta Westland continues to retain its strong market position in the aviation and aerospace industry, by augmenting the slump in the commercial aircraft sector with increased orders from the defense sector. The global economic meltdown has not affected Agusta much, with very few cancellations, however, there has only been a delay in delivery schedules.

Uncertainty surrounds the number of aircrafts C-27J Joint Cargo Airlifter (JCA) the U.S. is planning to purchase for the Air Force. This could influence the negotiations between Alenia Aeronautica and Northrop Grumman for a partnership for stateside assembly of the aircraft.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is examining options of using the Standard Missile-3 and terminal High-Altitude Air Defense Interceptors to counter ballistic missile attacks. The economic situation and budgetary constraints appear to be the hurdle in execution of the program.

Augusta Westland has made several vital changes to its 8-metric-ton-class AW149 troop transport helicopter in the hope of getting a launch order for the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TULP). Turkey's initial requirement is for 100 helicopters; however, this is expected to go up to 200 in the long-term.

The NATO summit held from the 3-4 April 2009 in Germany and France advised member nations to consider the option of continental defense. A third missile defense site in Poland and the Czech Republic planned by the U.S. in Europe remains undecided following strong opposition by Russia.

The strategy that Sukhoi and Alenia Aeronautica are planning to adopt for production of the Super-jet 100 regional jet is highlighted. Sukhoi is aiming for 70-aircrafts ready by the year 2013.

Italian defense programs could be affected following the decision of the government to reduce budgetary funding over the next three years. Acquisition for the Joint Airborne Multi-sensor Multi-mission System (Jamms) from 2009 remains uncertain.

Italy is quite optimistic about acquiring a small batch of Predator B medium-altitude endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The only problem that it is facing is how it will meet its long-term reconnaissance needs.

Finmeccanica will acquire DRS Technologies and finalize the partners who will jointly participate in the development of the C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA).

Recent losses in the defense business have forced Boeing to exit from the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program. Amidst these troubles, a bright spot is Boeing's deal with Qatar for purchase of C-17s.

Italy is all set to acquire its first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by the end of June 2008. Italy and several partner nations are looking at 'consortium buying' as an alternative covering a five-year contract, to help solve all existing problems.

A multibillion-dollar deal for acquisition of DRS Technologies by Finmeccanica is awaiting approval of the U.S. government.

Italy hopes to increase its armaments trade surplus, especially owing to the new changes in regulations that are bound to enhance growth. The need is for a centralized control regime to be governed by the defense ministry, to help meet competition from other rivals.

Finmeccanica is strengthening its position in Japan by planning to set up an office in Japan for its helicopter business. The company aims at developing industrial and technological collaborations with local players.

Alenia Aermachhi and Enaer from Chile are in collaboration over production of Alenia's trainers, including the M-346 advanced jet trainer. They are contemplating a number of changes to enhance the capabilities of the M-346 and increase its salability.