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The article reports that Italian researchers are making breakthroughs in passive radar technology, opening the door to detecting previously hard-to-track targets such as stealthy aircraft. The Italian work is being driven by Finmeccanica, Elettronica and several academic institutions. North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Consultation, Command and Control Agency is also involved by supporting the multi-static passive radar activity. An active radar system sends out radio-frequency energy and waits for the returns to track a target. The passive system needs to know the location of the emitters and measures the general electromagnetic environment when it's not disturbed by a target flying in an area.

The article focuses on Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica SpA. When he took the helm in 2002, this Italian company seemed destined to operate in the shadows of the global aerospace/defense industry's industrial juggernauts. Guarguaglini will be the first to admit his work is far from over, despite the already considerable accomplishments. These include making Great Britain another "domestic" market for the Italian company by becoming the second-largest defense contractor there, and by winning competitions that at times seemed unwinnable.

The article examines the space programs of Italy and Great Britain. Italian cabinet minister Mariastella Gelmini states that the country's space agency will be spared most of the spending cuts being imposed on other agencies by the government. David Willets, Great Britain's cabinet officer for space, says that his priority will be cooperation with other countries and with the aerospace industry.

This article reports that Italy and Russia are expected to conclude by May the second phase of a joint research and development project that could lead to a new class of diesel submarine. The S1000 advanced attack submarine, a mid-sized boat displacing about 1,000 tons, would be affordable for a burgeoning export market, and a candidate for the navies of both countries. The project dates to a bilateral agreement between Italy and Russia that was signed in November 1996. The program did not go anywhere, however, until 2003, when it was restarted by Italy.

The article discusses cuts to the defense budget in Italy, examining the possibility that the country will no longer participate in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program or will reduce the number of planes on order. The article attributes changes in defense spending to the government under Mario Monti, austerity measures, and reduced foreign policy ambitions. The reduction of the country's force level under Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola is discussed.

The article discusses the possibility that the private equity fund Cinven, which owns the majority of the aerospace engine company Avio, may sell their stakes The company could be sold to another private equity firm, though it is possible that it will go public, especially if the Italian financial market improves. The Italian industrial conglomerate Finmeccanica might also unload stakes in the company.

The article reports that Italian defense expenditure could fall by as much as 4% in 2009 as the result of a Finance Department program to rein in government spending over a three-year period. It is said that the cuts will affect defense programs across the board. Support has been withdrawn for the combat search-and-rescue helicopter program, as well as a tri-service signals intelligence aircraft, the Joint Airborne Multi-sensor Multi-mission System (Jamms).

The article reports that Italy plans to procure a small batch of Predator B medium-altitude endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but is struggling to define how to meet its longer-term unmanned reconnaissance needs. The deal for General Atomics Predator Bs, which would include four vehicles and up to three ground stations as well as logistics support, comes on top of a purchase of Predator As several years ago.

The article reports that the Italian air force is embarking on a second phase of testing to fit the Israeli Rafael RecceLite airborne reconnaissance system on a first batch of upgraded Tornado fighter-bombers. The upcoming Tornado test campaign will focus primarily on the data link capabilities to allow the two-seat crews to transmit imagery to the RecceLite Ground Exploitation Station and to receive updated imagery-collection assignments in near-real time. It adds that the service is also planning to buy the lighter RecceLite Portable Station.

The article reports that Italy is planning to sign up for its first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) by the end of June 2008. The country is also backing a multinational approach to crafting a five-year production contract, avoiding the pitfalls of annual purchasing. Italy will buy two Lockheed Martin F-35s for the initial operational test and evaluation phases of the JSF program.

The article reports on the expectation of Italy to further grow its armaments trade surplus in 2008, building on a trend that began in 2005. But industry is seeking changes in regulations that could accelerate growth even more. According to the Italian government's annual report to parliament, Italy exported arms worth €1.27 billion ($2.06 billion) in 2007, up from around €1 billion the year before and €894 million in 2005.

The article focuses on the aim of the Italian government to boost defense spending by 3.6% in 2008 and launch key surveillance and intelligence projects. Key procurement activities include signals intelligence and maritime patrol aircraft as well as additional Predator unmanned aircraft. Total budget request stands at €20.9 billion, short of the €21.6 billion being targeted by the defense ministry. Italy is expected to opt for used aircraft to replace the Atlantic maritime patrol aircraft due to limited budget.

The article offers information on a patchwork of agreements to share data and tasking rights for imaging intelligence between France, Italy and Germany, which is set to go into effect with the commissioning of new X-band radar satellite networks. Under the agreement, Medium- and low-resolution imagery will be available to all users, but access to high-definition imagery will be controlled by the Italian Ministry of Defense.

The article focuses on the development of the Sky-Y unmanned aircraft by Italy-based Alenia Aeronautica. Alenia Aeronautica hopes its work on a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft demonstrator will spur interest in a future European collaborative program. The so-called Sky-Y has been underway in secret for several months, but the company is expected to reveal the project at the Paris air show, while the real version is undergoing trials at the Vidsel test range in Sweden.

The article reports that Germany and Italy will bolster reconnaissance capabilities for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) forces in Afghanistan, with the deployment of manned and unmanned aircraft. Before the end of April 2007, the German air force hopes to have six reconnaissance Tornados operational. They deployed last week to the Mazar-e-Sharif air base in northern Afghanistan. NATO first requested the reconnaissance improvement in December 2006.

The article reports that Italy may acquire three ATR 42s in a maritime patrol configuration as a stopgap measure to support its aging Atlantic patrol aircraft. The move represents a boon for the low-cost turboprop surveillance platform, but is a setback for the U.S. Navy and Boeing, who were aiming to bring Italy into the 737-based P-8A Multimission Maritime Aircraft project. Departing Navy Chief of Operations Admiral Sergio Biraghi says the aircraft would be fitted with the same mission avionics suite that is already fitted on the two Coast Guard aircraft. Italy already operates a fleet of three ATR 42MPs with the Guardia di Finanza, the revenue service's armed wing.

This article reports that the Italian government is set to sign up for the U.S. Navy's P-8A Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) by year-end and, with it, could commit the country to buying new airborne early warning aircraft. Italy remains the Pentagon's last prospect to bring in a foreign partner for the MMA's systems design and development phase. Australia and Canada had contemplated partner status, but withdrew owing to budget problems. Both are still likely customers for the aircraft, however. In the interim, they've opted to extend the life of their P-3-based maritime patrol fleets. Rome, too, faces big budget pressures. Nevertheless, driven in part by a desire to secure a good industrial package for Finmeccanica, the government has all but decided to take the plunge.

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.

The article presents information on defense procurement budget of Italy. The country faces a hole in its defense procurement budget for this year of up to 1.3 billion euros, as the government scrambles to reduce overall expenditure. Defense officials fear the problem will reappear in the 2006 budget, since the government wants yet another round of tax cuts in the lead-up to a general election next year. Given that research and development expenditure is tied up in ongoing national and collaborative programs, the majority of cuts will come from the procurement budget. The air force's tanker program, for four Boeing 767 aircraft, has been awarded 152 million euros, with finances also allocated to extend the service life of its Dassault-Breguet Atlantic maritime patrol aircraft out to 2012.

This article reports that integration of composite fuselage sections built by Italy's Alenia Aeronautica SpA and Vought Corp. for Boeing's 7E7 will be done in a 300,000-sq.-ft. purpose-built factory in North Charleston. Global's chief responsibility will be to integrate fuselage sections built by Vought, Alenia and other suppliers before completed sections are airlifted from the North Charleston factory by 747 Large Cargo Freighters to the 7E7 final assembly site at Boeing's Everett, Wash., facility. Plans call for Dallas-based Vought to co-locate its new site with Global Aeronautica's on 380 acres at Charleston International Airport.

The Italian government is still scrambling to save Alitalia SpA as rivals question' anti-competitive' procedures. In an unprecedented move, Italian aviation officials are asking foreign carriers to stop undercutting Alitalia's intercontinental fares. ENAC's primary goal is to ban so-called sixth-freedom low fares, such as attractive prices from British Airways PLC (BA) on Rome-New York via London. Italian officials say the competition's low fares are further aggravating Alitalia's dire financial straits. BA officials say the Italian flag carrier significantly increased capacity at Rome and Milan, took delivery of additional aircraft and acquired Gandalf Airlines.

The Italian air force is nixing the idea of leasing a further batch of fighter plane F-16s in favor of a life-extension program and capability improvements for its AMX and Tornado strike aircraft. The service has already signed up for 34 Lockheed Martin F-16s, with 23 of the type already delivered. Military officials say the air force had been considering early retirement of its AMX light strike aircraft, and initially replacing them with additional F-16s until the Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is available.

The Italian government is seeking to convince private investors that they could save Alitalia SpA from bankruptcy and the risk of ceasing operations. Although the ailing flag carrier could hardly be characterized as a promising short-term investment, only private groups could rescue the company from its dire financial straits: State aid would be rejected by the European Commission's competition directorate. The firestorm surrounding Alitalia's ill-fated turnaround strategy, lack of efficiency and weak management has been aggravated by growing concerns that the airline could face demise— a scenario that became impossible to ignore.

The Italian air force has unveiled an ambitious plan to create a 100-combat-aircraft-strong expeditionary air wing by 2007, similar in concept to the U.S. Air Force's Air Expeditionary Force. The Italian unit, to be called the Forza di Proiezione Aerotattica (FOPAER), or tactical air projection force, will be created at the division level. The unit will be able to deploy abroad and sustain up to 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel. The core of the force will be a composite unit called the Air Projection Wing, combining all the required elements to support an expeditionary capability.

Italy-based Alitalia SpA is attempting to transform a proposed code-share agreement with airline carrier Meridiana into a merger that would reinforce the flag carrier's position in the Italian domestic market and further dilute the government's holding in the airline. The merger plan calls for Alitalia to acquire 80% of Meridiana capital18 in cash and the rest in exchange for Alitalia shares. Due diligence talks were initially set to be concluded by the end of May 2003, a date that has now been pushed back until September.

Italy's Finmeccanica SpA is moving to parlay recent and pending aero engine, trainer and satellite services acquisitions into a renewed strategy for aerospace alliances. Under a new management team installed in mid-2002, the Rome, Italy-based conglomerate has been working to put together a strategy capable of making it a major player in defense and space, as it has in the rotorcraft field. The key to this venture may be Finmeccanica's pending acquisition of Aermacchi. Meanwhile, the Italian aerospace and defense conglomerate recently reopened talks with EADS about merging their space activities, after coming close to an agreement with Alcatel Space, the Finmeccanica chief indicated.

Reports on a cruise missile program that is to be carried on Franco-Italian frigates which will provide European naval forces with extensive land-attack capability. Versions of frigates to be introduced; Description of the multi-mission frigates; Equipments attached to frigates; Core of the weapon system of frigates; Other weapon systems included in the frigate program.

Reports on the inauguration of an icing tunnel at Capua in Naples, Italy by the Italian aerospace research agency. Provision for flight safety experts to conduct tests; Test configurations of the tunnel; Possible development of anti-icing and deicing systems.

Reports on the effort of Alitalia airline to maintain recovery growth. Reduction of operating loss; Plan of Alitalia to breakeven; Suggestion of European airlines.

This article discusses Russia's acquisition of Western defense technology from Italy and other European nations to fill holes in its defense program. Topics include Russia's purchase of French Mistral helicopter carriers, the country's search for Western armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) such as the Italian Freccia Veicolo Blindato Medio (VBM), and Russia's desire to customize the acquired foreign systems to allow its own AFV industry to acquire additional skills.

The article looks at plans for reform of the Italian military advocated by Defense Minister Giampaolo di Paola, including defense budget cuts, reduction of forces deployed to Afghanistan, and decreasing logistics and support infrastructure. Topics include the commitment of Italian troops to United Nations (U.N.) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations, military procurement spending, and changes to the military contract process.

The article discusses the low-fare commercial airline market in Italy as of August 2012, focusing on carrier Alitalia's attempt to stabilize the market by merging with carrier Air One, as well as through the takeover of several small air carriers such as Windjet. Alitalia's failed plan to acquire air carrier Blue Panorama is also mentioned.

The article discusses financial losses in the first half of 2012 for the Italian airline Alitalia, which company official Andrea Ragnetti attributes to cost of fuel increases, dollar appreciation, and the economic downturn in Italy. Possible acquisition of Alitalia by Air France-KLM is discussed, as well as Alitalia's marketing campaigns, staff reductions, and the resumption of air travel to North Africa.

The article reports that the city of Milan, Italy plans to sell its majority interest in SEA, the authority which operates the Malpensa and Linate airports. The sale of 50 percent of SEA is expected to raise over $900 million for the city. Possible purchasers are examined, include an alliance of Italian banking industry firms, the Australian company Macquarie Group and Fraport, the owners of Frankfurt International Airport.

The article examines plans by Italy's air force to acquire Hellfire missiles produced by the U.S. aerospace industry firm Lockheed Martin to equip the air force's U.S. Predator and Reaper drone aircraft. Resistance to the Hellfire arms transfer within the U.S. government is examined. Italy's planned deployment of the drone aircraft in the Afghan War is noted.

The article considers regulations and laws enacted by Italy to prevent acquisitions of Italian defense and aerospace industries companies by foreign corporations. A law enacted by the government of Prime Minister Mario Monti is considered in relationship to its impact on a possible takeover attempt by the French firm Safran of the company Avio. The need for the law to comply with European Union law is considered.

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 focuses on Ente Nazionale Assistenza Volo (Enav), the company which operates Italy's air traffic control system, discussing savings in fuel consumption and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by jet transports in 2011 due to changes in air traffic patterns made by the firm.

The article focuses on the Italian airline industry company Alitalia. The airline's proposed acquisitions of the small airlines Blue Panorama and Wind Jet are considered as part of a strategy to maintain Alitalia's market share in Italy in the face of competition from so-called low-cost airlines such as Ryanair.

The article discusses Israels' decision to purchase the M-346 advanced jet trainer, made by the Italian aerospace company Alenia Aermacchi, instead of the T-50, made by Korea Aerospace Industries, and examines the effects of the decision on Israel's relations with South Korea. The article looks at the possibility that South Korea could cancel defense contracts with Israel. South Korean officials have complained that the competition favored Alenia Aermacchi.

The article reports that Italy, one of nine partners for the single-engine F-35 fighter, has decided to reduce its order from 131 to 90. The move followed the U.S. Defense Department's new procurement profile that gutted 179 of the aircraft from its buy in fiscal years 2013-17. Defense technology firm Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for developing F-35s.

The article discusses an investigation by antitrust authorities on the market dominance of Alitalia, an Italian airline which merged with the airline Air One, on routes in Italy. The airline was granted three years of antitrust immunity in 2008. The article also examines the airline's finances, the effects of high fuel costs and the Italian economic crisis on Alitalia, and the business air travel industry in Italy.

The article reports that Finmeccanica, the premier aerospace and defense contractor in Italy, will lose significant revenue sources after 2012 government defense spending budget cuts. Topics include international contracts, economic forecasting, and corporate restructuring. The chief executive officer of Finmeccanica, Giuseppe Orsi, is mentioned.

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 discusses the Medium Extended Air Defense System (Meads), an anti-ballistic missile defense which is being developed by the aerospace company Lockheed Martin. In the U.S. there is debate about funding the program, but in Italy and Germany the defense ministries have pledged to continue development of the system and begin production in 2014. Italy is developing a European variant of the system and testing of the Meads battery has begin.

The article discusses the development of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, an advanced territory monitoring system known as SMAT, in Italy. Three unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), all of which can operate in civilian airspace, could be used for disaster response, border control, and urban development monitoring. The UAS could include electro-optical and radar sensors, communication links, and data processing architectures.

The article discusses the development of unmanned aerial system (UAS) capabilities by the Italian air force. Air force officials say that the fleet will include six Predator UAS, developed by the aerospace company General Atomics, and six Reaper UAS, which could be outfitted with Lynx 1 and 2 synthetic aperture radars (SARs) and Hellfire missiles. Military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are discussed.

The article discusses changes in the Italian airline industry after the announcement that the airline carrier Lufthansa will end its Italian operations. The company SEA, which runs the airports in Milan, Italy, will lose part of its revenue when Lufthansa withdraws its planes from the Milan Malpensa airport, while the Sardinian airline Meridiana Fly will not be purchased by Lufthansa. The carriers Alitalia and Blue Panorama will be changing routes and acquiring news jets.

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 discusses the Italian state-owned aerospace and defense company Finmeccanica and reforms it is undertaking to sustain profitability during difficult economic times. The possible extension of the term of Pier Francesco Guarguaglini as Finmeccanica's Chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) is discussed, while noting possible obstacles involving judicial inquiries and problems affecting the ruling party in Rome, Italy.