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The article presents information on the problems regarding the partnership in the aeronautic industry between Great Britain and the United States. It reflects that while Pentagon claims problems are close to resolution Great Britain finds fault in the U.S. handling of industrial partnership. It observes that the Anglo-American feuding over the Joint Strike Fighter threatens to spill over into the wider transatlantic relationship. Great Britain is leading the assault on Washington over the contentious issue of technology access on the Joint Strike Fighter with other program partners, such as Australia, in support.

The British Defense Ministry intends to use classified unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) research as leverage in negotiating a collaborative program, almost certainly with the U.S. Great Britain is now engaged in high-level contacts about participating in a U.S. UCAV program, potentially along the lines of its involvement with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The U.S.' Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System project is the focus for its UCAV work, and covers the Boeing X-45 and Northrop Grumman X-47 air vehicle demonstrators. While seeking access to U.S. technology developments, it has also been courted by other European states, including France, to take part in a European demonstrator project.