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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 article presents information on aircraft industries. It reports that despite a relatively flat market in the past few years, there is optimism within the U.S. and European commercial rotary wing industries that the 2005 economic climate will favor increased utilization of vertical lift assets and stronger sales of new aircraft. It also informs that American Eurocopter Corp. has begun a program to reengine the U.S. Coast Guard's fleet of HH-65 helicopters and is delivering initial kits that will facilitate the change to Turbomeca engines from the Textron Lycoming turboshaft powerplants.

This article focuses on developments in Boeing airplanes. Boeing is moving toward reaching major Italian air force KC-767A tanker milestones early next year, but meeting key offset requirements is in jeopardy as long as the U.S. Air Force's counterpart tanker program remains stalled. Although Boeing is addressing some of the offset demands within the Italian program, fully complying with Rome's requirements would take additional sales of the KC-767, a senior Boeing official acknowledges. The aircraft will replace Italian air force Boeing 707TTs.

An interview is presented with Giuseppe Orsi, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Italian aerospace company Finmeccanica. Orsi discusses the reorganization and restructuring of the company's businesses and skill base, the acquisition of the company DRS Technologies, and the defense electronic business. Concerns about the Italian government's spending cuts, competition in the market, and the company's relationship with the aerospace company Boeing are examined.

The article reports on the strong performance of major European space contractors in the aerospace industry as they focus increasingly on services. The major contracts include Astrium and the Thales/Finmeccanica Space Alliance, which won seven telecommunications satellite orders in 2009. An 11 percent increase in revenue was posted by Astrium to 4.8 billion euros in 2009.

The article reports that the ability of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to win an air-to-air engagement is getting increased attention as the U.S. military and industry's focus includes the expansion of the Joint Strike Fighter's customer base beyond the core purchasing nations. Lockheed Martin contends that the combination of stealth, multisensor situational awareness, advanced pilot-machine interface and basic aeromechanical performance of the F-35 make it also a credible fighter aircraft.

This article reports that plans of Germany and France for a heavy-lift transport that could be built in cooperation with the U.S. manufacturers are nearing the initial definition phase. The two countries first floated the heavy-lift concept in mid-2004, under the name Heavy Transport Helicopter (HTH), as a replacement for aging Sikorsky CH-53s and Boeing CH-47s toward the end of the next decade. Although Germany currently is without a defense budget, which prevents the initiation of new projects, the issue is expected to be resolved by the time definition gels into a development project. Executives at the company Eurocopter say that the HTH is ready to begin the initial definition phase, and a joint request for information for a heavy-lift system is expected in the coming weeks by Berlin and Paris. The heavy-lift initiative would add to an already extensive engineering workload for Eurocopter.

This article reports that barriers to industrial cooperation between Italian and Russian aerospace companies could be crumbling as a direct outcome of a recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Companies on both sides recently devised several agreements targeting cooperation on everything from commercial aerospace to military manned and unmanned aircraft to space. But observers have worried that good intentions would be stifled by Russia's notorious bureaucracy that has often stood in the way of such agreements.

This article reports that EADS is predicting profitability in all of its divisions in 2005, following a better than expected improvement in its financial performance last year. The company reported last week anticipated earnings before interest and taxes in excess of 2.4 billion euros for 2004, up 58% from the 2003 figure, and 600 million euros better than forecast a year earlier. Co-CEOs Rainer Hertrich and Philippe Camus, to be replaced this spring by Thomas Enders and Noel Forgeard, said it was the fifth consecutive year in which EADS has exceeded financial targets. However, Camus cautioned that the dollar remains an important preoccupation for the future, particularly with regard to Airbus, and that restructuring at the subcontractor level, as well as further cost-cutting, may be necessary to reduce the dollar's impact.

The article discusses the aerospace industry of South Africa, examining the development of the Paramount Group's Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (Ahrlac) and South African weapons as well as South Africa's military acquisition programs. The article argues that export-oriented South African defense companies are important to the industry, since the South African National Defense Force (Sandf) cannot sustain a large industry.

The article discusses the announcement of several corporate overhaul measures at Italian aerospace company Finmeccanica in 2012, including the establishment of a defense unit in 2013 which will combine the firm's U.S. aeronautics, helicopter, and defense electronics units into one organization. Chief executive officer (CEO) Giuseppe Orsi stated that the changes are necessary to make the company more profitable.

The article reports that stagnation demand in the European aerospace and defense industry is forcing companies to peruse core needs and adjust their product portfolios accordingly. It is said that the industry is preparing itself for a leaner spending era and big transactions are now off the table. John Dowdy, the head of defense and security for the McKinsey & Co. consultancy, says that the industry should focus on both portfolio and facility rationalization.

The article presents information on the Heli-Expo 2012 which highlighted the recovery in the civil helicopter market with record orders, new product announcements and building backlogs. The show was attended by more than 19,200 visitors and 650 exhibitors. Manufacturers displayed 60 helicopters at the show including Bell Helicopter's super-medium 525 Relentless, Agusta-Westland's AW189 and Eurcopter's EC175.

The article discusses the aerospace companies EADS and Finmeccanica, examining business decisions which the companies will make in 2012. The article discusses EADS executives who could be promoted including Tom Enders, Marwan Lahoud, and Fabrice Bregier, the sale of stakes by the automobile company Daimler and the banking consortium Daedalus, and the Franco-German shareholding balance. Leadership changes at Finmeccanica and the reduction of the company's long-term credit rating are examined.

The article discusses the finances of the Italian aerospace conglomerate Finmeccanica, discussing the November 2011 release of third-quarter financial results and a corporate turnaround plan by chief executive Giuseppe Orsi. The article looks at issues including Finmeccanica's operating margins, relations with the Italian government, and sale by the operating division AgustaWestland. The article also looks at the restructuring of the company.

The article considers the aerospace and defense industries in Turkey. Turkey's increased purchases of military equipment from domestic companies in those industries is discussed, as is an increase in exports by both industries in 2009-2010. Development of turboprop trainer planes and military helicopters by the company Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. is among the examples cited.

The article discusses changes made to the Italian aerospace and defense company Finmeccanica by chief executive officer Guiseppe Orsi. Orsi formerly worked for the helicopter group AgustaWestland, which experienced strong financial returns, and succeeds Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, who remains as the company chairman. The article argues that Finmeccania needs to cut operating costs, explore emerging markets, and manage its core business.

The article focuses on the European aerospace industries companies EADS and Finmeccanica. Corporate acquisitions by both companies and mergers of subsidiary corporations are examined in terms of efforts to consolidate their operations and reposition the companies in new markets. The acquisition of the firm Vector Aerospace by EADS and the management of the consolidation of the firm Selex Communications by Finmeccanica are cited.

The article discusses a 10-year spending plan created by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) which would fund domestic programs on liquid fuel engines for rockets, hyperspectral imaging technology, and Internet communications while spreading the spending burden for the International Space Station (ISS) and decreasing spending on European Space Agency (ESA) programs. ASI would draw funding from both the education and research ministry and the ministry of defense.

The article discusses Italy's Finmeccanica company that conducts business in the aerospace, defense, and security industries. It describes a 5-year plan being established by chief executive officer (CEO) Pier Francesco Guarguaglini that will place more emphasis on international sales of aerospace and defense technology.

The article discusses how aerospace and defense company Finmeccaniica maintains its growth targets despite the slowdown in commercial aircraft and helicopter markets in 2009. It states that the company reported an increase in revenue but a flat net profit. It notes that the company's new-order intake grew 22 percent despite the slowdown in the commercial markets.

The article reports that the United Arab Emirates will acquire 48 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 aircraft to meet its air force's advanced jet trainer and light strike fighter requirements. Delivery of the M-346, selected in preference to the South Korean KAI T-50, will begin in 2012, according to the author. In the advanced jet trainer role it will replace three variants of the BAE Systems Hawk presently in service with the air force, and act as a lead-in trainer for the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60 and Dassault Mirage 2000-9, the author added.

This article reveals that the potential impact of renewed political upheaval in South Africa has dominated the 2008 African Aerospace and Defense show. The timing and schedule of military acquisition programs may fall foul of the strife. There remains the risk that funded programs or new-start projects could be delayed. South Africa's force modernization package, launched in 1998, is nearing completion. The show was marked by the official delivery of the first four Saab Gripen fighter aircraft.

The article reports that Italy's defense and aerospace sector is aiming to secure substantial business in Libya following a strategic agreement between Rome and Tripoli, which includes a $5-billion, 20-year reparations package for Italy's 1934-43 occupation of Libya. Italian Prime Minster Silvio Berlusconi and Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi signed the global cooperation agreement that Italian industry hopes will increase its business in the North African country.

The article reports on the partnerships between India's private aerospace industry and Western defense industries. In one major deal, India's Mahindra Defense Systems concluded a joint-venture agreement with Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei of the Finmeccanica Group that aims to tap into the $500-million underwater defense systems market using the industrial and operational capabilities of its Indian partner. BAE Systems is in discussions with the Indian air force to supply 40 additional Hawk advanced jet trainers.

This article reports that Boeing and Alenia Aeronautica are strengthening the foundation of their long-standing cooperation with a large expansion in research and development efforts. A set of newly signed memoranda of understanding will see the two companies increasingly working together in long-lead research in the aerostructures and materials fields. To this end, Boeing plans to open a research center in southern Italy.

The article provides information on a joint venture involving Finmeccanica and EADS. Gaining the upper hand in the joint venture has long been a Finmeccanica aspiration and the company's CEO Pier Francesco Guarguaglini says that not only is it a top agenda item in talks with his EADS counterparts, he is also optimistic that he will prevail. EADS and Finmeccanica talks are likely to concentrate on Italian participation in the A350 program.

The article reports that Finmeccanica is deciding whether to cut its stake in Avio engine and space company as part of the majority ownership transfer to private equity firm Cinven from the Carlyle Group. Aerospace giant Finmeccanica will resolve whether it will be able to stick to its plan to keep a minimum stake in Avio and use the financial resources generated by the deal to support acquisitions in what it considers core areas.

The article informs that after lengthy negotiations, Italy and Russia have inked an agreement to secure Finmecannica's role in the Russian Regional Jet. The partnership has still some details to be ironed out. Under the terms of the agreement protocol signed on April 21 in Moscow between Italian industry minister Claudio Scajola and his Russian counterpart, Viktor Kristenko, Finmeccanica will commit $300 million to the venture and become a full partner, through its Alenia Aeronautic unit, in the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company, with a stake of more than 25%. The main obstacle has been Russian legislation, which does not allow foreign companies to own more than a 25% stake in Russian aerospace companies.

The article informs that Italian engine maker Avio SpA's prospects are improving just as the company heads toward a widely anticipated ownership realignment. The firm Carlyle Group owns 70% of Avio, while Finmeccanica SpA has 30%. Carlyle is expected to unload its share, while the Italian aerospace giant is assessing what parts it may want to keep. Late last month the company achieved an important developmental milestone with the test firing of the Zefiro 9 engine, slated for use as the third stage of Europe's new Vega launcher. Under particular scrutiny will be whether the thermal protection system performed as predicted and nozzle erosion was nominal.

This article reports that the European aerospace and defense giants EADS and Finmeccanica are seeing strong growth, but some trouble spots blur the outlook. During the first nine months of the fiscal year 2005, EADS has enjoyed overall positive indicators, with net cash topping 4.7 billion euros, revenue up 9% year-on-year to 23.5 billion euros, and new orders for the period up 88% to 38.8 billion. EADS competitor Finmeccanica also is benefiting from a strong market. For the year 2005, it expects a 20% increase on last year's 9.3-billion-euro revenue and anticipates further growth to meet its 12.2-billion-euro target for next year.

This article reports that the Italian aerospace companies are becoming increasingly active in Russia, including in the emerging and still sensitive arena of unmanned combat. One venture that could push the bounds of technology sharing--a link between Aermacchi and Yakovlev to cooperate on unmanned aircraft--still needs endorsement from the defense ministers of both governments. Yakovlev has quietly been lobbying for Russian unmanned combat aircraft technology using the Yak-130, while Aermacchi earlier this year began flight testing its own unmanned aerial vehicles.

This article reports that an expected denouement to the ugly management dispute that has plagued EADS for months, combined with a move by Dassault Aviation SA to sell its holdings in Thales, may be the spark needed to kick off the next phase of European defense and aerospace consolidation. A recent AT Kearney assessment of aerospace industry competitiveness suggests Europe needs to consolidate to boost growth and keep pace with the U.S. Thales Chairman/CEO Denis Ranque notes that with BAE Systems now out of the picture and land and naval defense systems markets still fragmented, a new round of consolidation may be around the corner.

This article reports that the first of 12 C-27J tactical transport aircraft on order for the Greek air force will be delivered in January 2005. The clock is also ticking on an option for a further three Lockheed Martin Corp./Alenia Aeronautica SpA C-27J Spartans. This offer runs until the end of the year, but may well be extended into 2005 to allow the air force to deal with procurement and funding issues. Canada is looking to purchase 15-18 aircraft to replace a fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and de Havilland Buffalo aircraft used in this role. Portugal earlier this month also released a request for proposals for a tactical transport aircraft, with the C-27J a leading contender for its 12-aircraft purchase.

This article reports that the Greek government is reconsidering plans for industry restructuring while also reviewing procurement priorities. Final contract negotiations were deferred until after the 2004 Olympics, and the successor government is now faced with the economic reality of "picking up the bill" for hosting the games. Eurofighter executives are keen to conclude a contract, and are understood to be offering to negotiate a smaller initial package than the originally planned 60 firm orders.

This article reports that stretching production, and possibly deferring national deliveries to support export sales campaigns, are being touted as the four Eurofighter Typhoon nations finally close on a $28-billion deal for an additional 232 aircraft. The Austrian export order for 18 Tranche 2 aircraft appears certain to be slipped in front of British production, avoiding any risk of a delay while also addressing British budgetary concerns. Delay in delivering the Austrian aircraft would incur penalties, and commercial negotiations with Singapore will hinge on having concrete pricing data with regard to the Tranche 2 aircraft.

The Italian navy is crafting requirements for two classes of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)—mindful, however, of its funding limitations and the performance of some candidate platforms. While developing cases for both small and medium UAV systems, in the short term the navy hopes to learn from the defense ministry's acquisition of the General Atomics RQ-1 Predator, which will be operated by the air force. The navy also wants to determine how UAVs will fit within its air arm, which has about 100 fixed- and rotary-wing platforms.

Commercial transport sales and deliveries remain flat but better times are expected to materialize in the second half of the year, said aerospace executives attending ILA 2004. Confidence in the emergence of a long-awaited upturn was also expressed by top Airbus officials shortly after the opening of huge production facilities at Toulouse-Blagnac to accommodate final assembly of the A380 mega-transport. This year, Airbus is scheduled to deliver "at least" as many commercial transports as in 2003 and expects to secure nearly 250 firm orders, including an additional A380 customer, Chief Commercial Officer John Leahy said at the Berlin air show.

Finmeccanica SpA says it has entered into exclusive talks with Alcatel to merge space businesses. Officials said a final accord could be reached as early as first-quarter 2004. Italian aerospace and defense conglomerate is turning to Alcatel, with which it has also held on-and-off talks in recent months. Alcatel, with 1.3 billion euros in annual space sales in satellite and payload manufacturing, is the bigger of the two. Finmeccanica also owns a space services company, Telespazio, with annual sales of 250 million euros.

Reports the expansion plan of Finmeccanica in the aerospace and defense sector in Italy. Aim to target acquisitions in Italy and abroad; Details about the aggressive strategy; Implementation of external growth policy.

Reports the rejection of Finmeccanica/Alenia Aeronautica for the 728/928 twinjets of Fairchild Dornier. Emphasis on non-interest of Alenia on Dornier's Airbus business; Reasons for abandoning the negotiations; Speculation of Alenia on resulting risks and profitability.

Provides information on the bid of Italy to join the Joint Strike Fighter systems development and demonstration phase. Amount needed by Italy to gain a stake in the program; Actions taken by the government to raise the funds needed in the program; List of Italian aerospace companies that will participate in the program.