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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.

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.

This article looks at the impact of changes in U.S. space exploration plans on the international and commercial partners of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The 2011 budget of NASA has revived old debates in Europe and elsewhere as the station partnership starts to understand what the greater emphasis on low-Earth-orbit research and an opening of the path beyond might mean for them. Paragon Space Development Corp. is developing and testing a standard air revitalization system optimized for low-Earth orbit.

The article reports that the British Defense Ministry and industry are pursuing a novel design of active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The work was undertaken as an element of the Advanced Radar Targeting System (ARTS) demonstrator project. Led by Qinetiq, with Selex providing the AESA, the radar was integrated on a Tornado GR4A, with trials carried out in Great Britain and using ranges in the U.S.

The article focuses on the cancellation of high-profile acquisition efforts of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). It states that the Pentagon has been issuing program terminations and stop-work orders based on the budget request for fiscal 2010. According to the article, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) will not incur shutdown expenditures until it has serviced its last foreign customer. It talks about the termination approach for the secure communications Transformational Satellite (TSAT).

This article discusses the potential of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to field ascent-phase missile defenses. It attributes the potential to tweaks to the Standard Missile-3 and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense interceptors, as well as air-launched weapons in the U.S. arsenal. However, it warns that the project is facing some challenges due to the U.S. economic slowdown and political change. The position of Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the project is also noted.

The article reports that Bell is trying to determine both the cost and length of the testing program for its Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. The company is switching to a larger engine, and Bell is hoping earlier U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications will hold and allow it to trim testing and cost. According to Bob Kenney, executive vice president of military programs for Bell, the company has removed other items from the Kiowa helicopter program to avoid costly flight tests.

The article reports on the negotiation of EADS with U.S. companies to find a production partner in its quest to offer the A400M transport to the U.S. Department of Defense. Executives from EADS North America have held discussions with both Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin about assembling the A400M in the U.S. if the aircraft can find a place in that country's fleet. EADS officials may regard the A400M as a good fit for Lockheed Martin in the event production of the rival C-130J, manufactured in Marietta, Georgia.

The article looks at the implication of the decision of Boeing to exit the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the challenges facing the company. It notes the significance to Boeing of the anticipated ruling from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the USAF tanker program. Another ruling of interest to Boeing is from the World Trade Organization on an Airbus/Boeing dispute over pricing and commercial airlines subsidies. Also noted is the effect of changes in USAF leadership on the company.

The article reports on the acquisition of military electronics contract DRS Technologies by Finmeccanica. The deal, which requires U.S. government approval and may face a counter-bid from EADS, could spark a new round of consolidation in the second tier of the aerospace and defense sector. Finmeccanica agreed to pay DRS shareholders a 32% premium. To alleviate such worries, Finmeccanica has proposed setting up DRS as a stand-alone subsidiary under a Special Security Agreement with a U.S. board of directors.

The article reports that Air France faces several weeks of difficult negotiations with Alitalia as it tries to devise a politically palatable way to assume control of the struggling Italian airline. After a successful merger with KLM, and a virtual merger with Delta to take advantage of the coming open skies agreement between the U.S. and the European Union, the company has maneuvered itself into a premier position in Europe. Air France-KLM CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta has vowed the airline would not jeopardize its financial health to take over Alitalia.

The article reports on the strength of the global demand for unmanned aircraft. It states that Singapore has been negotiating with the U.S. regarding the sale of two Global Hawks. It is also mentioned that talks are ongoing between the U.S. Air Force (USAF), Northrop Grumman and Spain and South Korea for the purchase of Global Hawks.

The article focuses on EADS North America Inc.'s first victory as a prime contractor for the Pentagon. The young company is now considered as a serious contender in the largest defense market on the globe. This status could bolster its future bid to wrest some of Boeing's business building refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force. The win is also taking the focus away from problems in Europe with EADS's leadership turnover and delays in developing Airbus's new flagship A380. EADS North America is also teamed as a subcontractor to Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force's impending refueling tanker competition against Boeing.

This article reports that Boeing Co. is building parts for almost two dozen C-17 transports in the U.S. beyond its current order book to continue production as it tries to snag additional domestic and international orders. The company is in the final days of talks with potential foreign buyers of the transport to lock in the $220-million unit flyaway price, which Boeing says will remain in place only until the end of the month. Boeing is working on parts for 22 aircraft for which it doesn't have contracts. Pushing parts production beyond that would become costly and represent a financial risk Boeing isn't willing to take on.

This article reports that Lockheed Martin Corp. is preparing to leap into the fray for the U.S. Army/Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft program with the first four-engine offering in what had been a contest between twin-engine designs. Meanwhile, Boeing Co. plans to announce an alliance with Alenia and L-3 Communications to market the C-27J in which Lockheed Martin also has a stake. With the deadline for replies to the request for proposals pushed back three weeks from the original date of May 17, Lockheed Martin planners will put forward a proposal for its C-130J short-fuselage variant, which can take advantage of the established training and logistics chain already in place as well as a program for biennial upgrades to cockpit avionics.

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.

The article reports that the U.S. Coast Guard is dropping the Bell/Agusta AB139 helicopter from its massive Deepwater modernization program in favor of upgrading existing Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawks. The decision came to light in a Coast Guard report on the Deepwater program sent Mar. 25 to Congress. The Bell/Agusta joint venture has already found a few customers for its AB139, including the Irish Air Corp., and the United Arab Emirates. AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter Textron are prominent members of the winning team in that heated competition.

This article reports that Lockheed Martin Corp. is bowing out as Alenia's co-prime contractor on the C-27J, but L-3 Communications has stepped in to pursue future light transport buys for the U.S. Army and Air Force that are expected to be worth more than $3.5 billion and perhaps twice that in 3-5 years across a world-wide market. The two companies have established a 50-50% joint venture, called Global Military Aircraft Systems, which is to become the prime contractor for any C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft sale in the North American market. Potential sales include 12-15 combination transport and search-and-rescue aircraft for Canada and another 120-140 small transports to reinvigorate the U.S. medium airlift capability.

The article reports that the Pentagon's decision in favor of the Lockheed MartinCorp.-led US101 team to develop the U.S. presidential helicopter is being seen as a watershed event, although experts are divided over the larger ramifications of the $6.1-billion deal. To some, the order for the U.S.-primed, AgustaWestland-designed helicopter could signal a shift to a more favorable Defense Dept. procurement policy concerning foreign hardware, while others fear a backlash in Congress that could close the U.S. market to overseas suppliers. The presidential helicopter (VXX) decision marks the second time in only a few months the Pentagon has opted for a Lockheed Martin-led team whose system is built around a major foreign airframe.

The article presents information about the Pentagon's readiness to embark on negotiations for two major international defense projects, but government and industry officials believe wider efforts to ease transatlantic partnering have largely run out of steam. The U.S. plans to send a delegation to Italy to start finalizing that country's participation in the Boeing 737 based Multimission Maritime Aircraft. Current export controls create a disconnect between security policy and operational demands,

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states are considering deploying additional air force units to Afghanistan, including attack helicopters, potentially paving the way for an eventual drawdown in the number of the U.S. forces in the country. While the notion expressed by the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell that NATO ultimately could replace the U.S. presence appears improbable, some states are looking to bolster their commitments. NATO took over command responsibility for the International Security Assistance Force in August 2003.

This article discusses the development of Internet (net)-enabled maritime missile weapons for the U.S. Navy, which can still function despite a communications failure. Topics include the use of a long-range, high-resolution airborne radar to guide the net-enabled missiles, the anticipated use of defense contractor Raytheon's Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS) for anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and the importance of large radar systems with net-enabled weapons to accurately avoid non-target ships.

The article reports on the plan of a streamlined and restructured Alenia Aeronavali to look for ways to remain competitive within a maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) environment to return to profitability by 2010. However, two factors affect the market, including U.S. dollar depreciation against the euro and evolving market needs. The company suffered badly in 2006 and 2007 from a combination of factors, including reduced operating margins on many contracts due to U.S. dollar depreciation.

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 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 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 examines air power tactics by U.S. French and British armed forces in their intervention in the revolution in Libya. Operations against the communications and reinforcements of the armed forces of the government of dictator Moammar Gadhafi are discussed. Closer coordination between air forces involved in the operations and the ground forces of the Libyan rebels is considered.

The article discusses the U.S. rotorcraft market and competition for U.S. helicopter contracts by the European aeronautics companies AgustaWestland and Eurocopter. These companies reportedly are dominant in civil helicopter markets and seek to win U.S. government contracts with military derivatives of successful civil product lines.

The article focuses on plans by the U.S. Air Force and Italy's Air Force to improve the electronic warfare components of the C-27J tactical transport plane.

The article looks at the U.S. Air Force and Navy's criteria for the capabilities required of the sixth-generation of fighter planes being developed. Several attributes expected to improve within these fighter jets include directed energy weaponry, unrefueled combat radius, and speed. The effects of increased budget restrictions are also discussed.

The article discusses the lower-tier air and missile defense program among the U.S., Germany, and Italy called the trinational Medium Extended Air Defense System (Meads). The article notes political, programmatic, and cost factors that will influence the future of Meads. Three influential studies of Meads to be completed in the short term are noted and described.

The article discusses competition to build the next U.S. presidential helicopter. Citing Phil Dunford, the vice president and general manager of the aerospace and defense company Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, the article notes a wide-ranging relationship between Boeing and the helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland. One aspect of the plan involves Boeing's purchase of AgustaWestland's intellectual property, data, and production rights for the AW101 aircraft.

This article discusses some of the concerns that have arisen between the United States and its international partners in the production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter plane. The Italian government is blocking some production plans because it believes that it is not getting a good return for its investment in producing the aircraft. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the aircraft.

The article discusses the Italian company Finmeccanica, its acquisition of DRS Technologies, and its hoped-for foray into the U.S. market for helicopters. It notes Finmeccanica's history of bidding on manufacture of the U.S. presidential helicopter. Also noted are the U.S. Navy's plans to replace the U.S. presidential VH-3D/VH-60N helicopter in 2017-23 and possible bidding strategies that Finmeccanica may use.

The article examines the negotiation between Alenia Aeronautica and Northrop Grumman over a possible partnership for stateside final assembly of the C-27J airlifter. Prior to the negotiation, Alenia has worked with other U.S. companies, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing and L-3 Communications. According to Finmeccanica chief executive officer (CEO) Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, the negotiation could be finalized within months.

The article considers the potential military projects of Finmeccanica in the U.S., Great Britain and Italy in 2009. The company expects the projects to continue driving strong growth. In March 2009, the Italian defense company posted a 19 percent increase in net profit to & euro;621 million in 2008. According to Finmeccanica Chairman/chief executive officer (CEO) Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and order guidelines for 2009-2010 will be adjusted upward.

The article reports that Afghanistan's air force is likely to see its fixed-wing transport capacity grow substantially under international plans to build up a tactical transport fleet of 18-24 aircraft starting around mid-2009. The Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan wants to give a boost to the Afghan National Army to relieve the strain on the International Security Assistance Force of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the U.S. troops operating under separate mandate in the country.

The article deals with the selection of L-3 Communications and Alenia North America to handle the Joint Cargo Aircraft contract of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. Both companies are scheduled to integrate U.S.-unique equipment on the C-27J and handover the first aircraft within 12 months. The C-27J team, which includes Boeing, bested the Raytheon EADS C-295 offering for the more-than-$12-billion program. The losing bidder is mulling whether to protest.

The article focuses on the plans by the U.S. Navy to upgrade its F/A-18E/F fighter planes with an infrared search-and-track system . The decision was prompted by the development of sophisticated electronic jamming systems that could thwart the airplane's radar system. China's expansive spending on electronic warfare equipment is being carefully monitored by the Navy.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Air Force to choose a subsonic platform for its next-generation bomber. George Muellner, president of advanced systems at Boeing's Integrated Defense unit, believes that the choice of a subsonic bomber concept to meet a 2018 in-service date bolsters the need for high-speed weapons. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are examining a variety of future cruise missile concepts.

The article reports that Lockheed Martin is trying to keep its cruise missile efforts alive with in-house and government-funded development projects. Lockheed Martin has suffered numerous test problems with the U.S. Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile (Jassm) that now put the program in jeopardy. Company officials nonetheless are hopeful that upcoming flight trials of the ramjet-powered Rattlrs missile will improve its weapons business.

The article discusses the efforts of the U.S. Department of Defense in encouraging F-35 Joint Strike Fighter partners to increase sales. The deparment has been trying to convince its international project partners to buy some of the aircraft to make-up reductions in the production plans of the U.S. in order to minimize cost increases. After several months, partners are preparing for the next phase with the signing of the production and follow-on development agreement.

The article reports on the funding of the Production Sustainment and Follow-on Development (PSFD) phase of the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, which involves appropriations from the governments of Italy, Great Britain and Turkey. Italian defense sources suggest their country will invest around $1 billion over the 40-year PSFD period. Great Britain and Turkey are expected to allocate sizable budget for the U.S. project.

The article reports that the U.S.-based private equity, Carlyle Group wants to sell its 70% share to Italian engine and space company Avio before year-end. Carlyle is in discussion with two international investment funds, BC Partners and Cinven Ltd. in this regard. Finmeccanica will have to validate the deal, as it holds 30% of the shares in the company.

The article reports that Boeing Co. is set to commence flight testing of high-speed American missiles. A ramjet-powered missile demonstrator will be flight tested by Boeing that would help in achieving the goal of quickly striking fleeting targets at great distances. Carl Avila, Boeing's director of advanced weapons and missile systems, says that the company will commence the full-up flight-test phase toward 2006 end.

The article reports on the plan of Airbus Industrie SA to launch the A330-200F cargo aircraft. The freighter development is being closely linked with the company's efforts to win part of the U.S. Air Force tanker replacement program. Airbus's A330-200 is the platform, the Northrop Grumman Corp./European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. team plans to offer as part of the KC-30 competition. But Airbus has not formally launched the A330-200F yet, though the design has already been set. An addition to its cargo portfolio would be the second one to the freighter family that will launch within a short time.

The article presents information on the market developments involving business enterprises in the high technology industry. A possible mega-merger between French telecom giant Alcatel and Lucent Technologies Inc. is driving new interest in defense electronics company Thales. A three-way deal would provide much-needed consolidation in the crowded satellite market, but could raise regulatory concerns and would complicate negotiations between Alcatel and Thales, which do not appear to view the idea favorably. The article also presents a chart on the weekly market performance of various companies for the month of March, 2006 and a graph depicting the Aviation Week's stock market indexes.

This article reports that the chief financial backer of ailing MD Helicopters Inc. has invested more than $150 million in the company since July, primarily because of the marketability of its Notar system, a safety improvement that removes the tail rotor from a helicopter. But the company is likely the dark horse in the competition concerning the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program as mainstay manufacturers adjust their bids. Lynn Tilton, the CEO of Patriarch Partners, who met with legislators in Washington this month, says that the company's Explorer helicopters should get fair consideration in the LUH program despite the company's "sins of the past," which she pins on mismanagement. The Army will buy at least 322 helicopters for use stateside or in U.S. territories.

The article reports that the U.S. Navy is beginning to introduce a slew of upgrades to the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to ensure that the aircraft will be part of the Pentagon's emerging network-centric warfighting environment. Upgrade packages are designed to improve the aircraft's precision strike capability. But they also aim at reducing life-cycle costs and at minimizing component obsolescence. The network-centric portion of the Super Hornet's enhancement road map alone could cost several hundred million dollars.

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.