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As the Iranian and Iraqi military capabilities grow more menacing with time, the Israeli Air Force increases in statue and importance. Israeli Air Force is undergoing a major modernization program, -- airplane and missile capacity alike.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) launched its first air strike against Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999 against more than 40 targets. The air campaign is aimed at degrading Yugoslavia's military ability to conduct further action in Kovoso. Weapons were targeted at Yugoslav military installations, including air defense sites and command and control facilities. B-52 and B-2 aircraft were used in the attack, the latter for the first time.

Even though Central Europe is starting to establish a foothold within the Western defense and aerospace community ten years after the end of the Warsaw Pact, a full integration is still a long way from happening. One recent event to help push Central Europe on its way was the accession of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary into NATO. This landmark event, reached last week, has connected those nations inextricably to the west and further spurred the desire of others in the region to gain acceptance in the next wave of new members. More importantly, however, is that this alliance with NATO will be a stepping-stone to joining the European Union along with all the economic benefits which go with it. Article discusses how Central Europe still has a long way to with its harsh economic realities, which will likely slow down its integration with the West.

The four-nation partnership of Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK are ready to start production of the Eurofighter after years of budget and political problems. Partner companies in the program are expected to utilize new production techniques in assembling the aircraft.

Switzerland's Air Force plans to field its first squadron of F/A-18 Hornets by the end of 1997. The air-to-air missile-equipped F/A-18 will serve the primary role of air defense. By acquiring F/A-18s, the Swiss Air Force hopes to establish links with other nation's air forces.

The Romanian Air Force is outfitting its MiG-21 Lancer aircraft with Western avionics and weapons systems. It is hoped that by promoting interoperability between the Romanian Air Force and Western air powers, Romania will be positioning itself for NATO membership.

The anticipated restructuring of the European Union's aerospace/defense industries, including Airbus, is threatened by the lack of a stable French industrial policy. There is a consensus among EU aerospace/defense executives that consolidation is needed, but the French government has yet to commit to such a policy.

Sweden plans to participate in more joint military operations and research to compensate for its smaller defense budget. The traditionally neutral nation has no plans to join an alliance, but recognizes that the collapse of the Soviet Union has changed its role in international conflicts.

The Defense Dept's Bottom-Up Review emphasized the key role that next-generation PGMs will play in future military preparedness, but some defense analysts claim that existing PGMs are insufficient to meet today's needs. Funding and development issues relating to PGMs are explored.

Manufacturers of fighter aircraft are attempting to boost exports to counteract slack domestic demand. Many non-diversified manufacturers have excess industrial capacity which may make them attractive to potential investors as takeover targets.

The European Union will need access to large numbers of transport aircraft, such as the Airbus Military Co.'s A400M, to airlift its proposed 60,000-person rapid reaction force. The EU plan, which includes both military and humanitarian goals, proposes that a new production contract be signed with Airbus Military Co.

This article discusses the United States Air Force's evaluation of the effectiveness of its bombing of Iraqi air defenses. Officials were surprised to discover how inaccurate the Joint Standoff Weapon was during the attacks.

Air France and British Airways is working to get its Concorde supersonic aircraft back into operation. The Concorde, which will be refitted with $25 million in safety modifications, is being modified by BAE Systems and EADS.

The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain will begin production of the Eurofighter next year. Companies involved in the manufacture of the aircraft include Alenia S.p.A., European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Co., and BAE Systems.

A number of newly formed European aerospace companies will take part in the Farnborough International Air Show 2000 in the United Kingdom. These new companies would exhibit their products.

The U.K.'s decision to acquire Airbus transports is part of its new shift toward European defense.

Alenia Aerospazio, a subsidiary of Italy's Finmeccanica, will soon enter into a joint venture with either BAE Systems, or European Aeronautic and Defense Space Co., to produce military aircraft in 2000.

The US is attempting to promote trade links with the European Union aerospace and defense industries by considering an overhaul of technology export regulations and rules limiting foreign ownership of US aerospace companies and defense contractors. The European Union aerospace and defense industries sectors are undergoing a consolidation encouraged by both the European Union and national governments.

Missile technology continues to evolve, but revolutionary changes in missile-propulsion technology could be on the horizon. European developers of beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, for example, are turning to ramjet technology.

Aircraft companies are competing for contracts with many European countries which lack aircraft capable of airlift missions. Eight nations need about 300 aircraft, and deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2005. Firms in Russia, the Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe are bidding.

The restructuring and consolidation plan proposed by Europe's defense and aerospace industries has proved more elusive than the industry's leaders had anticipated. Among other things, they still have to reach a consensus about setting parameters for the plan, among other vexing issues.

Ariane 5 managers are trying to come to come with answers for a new upper stage as they study the flaws of the rocket's first flights. To facilitate this, booster production responsibility has shifted from the French space agency to Arianespace, the program's operator.

The Middle East already has a great amount of military equipment that was purchased after the Persian Gulf war, although the area is still considered to be the world's biggest market for arms export, with sales reaching $15 billion in 1996.

Lockheed Martin executive Richard G. Kirkland says that the company plans to develop its next-generation of transport/tanker aircraft by collaborating with foreign partners. Lockheed Martin already produced a variety of futuristic designs.

The EU dropped its opposition to the Boeing and McDonnell Douglas-merger after Boeing made concessions. The EU would have imposed sanctions on the grounds the merger was anti-competitive; Boeing and McDonnell Douglas are Airbus' major competitors. The decision averts a trade war between the US and the EU.

The French government is having trouble reconciling its political establishment with a privatization plan for the aerospace industry and needs for European consolidation of the industry. British companies are frustrated by the lack of movement on consolidation. Defense Minister Alain Richard plans to proceed with French-German programs.

Estonian Air's partnership with Maersk Air of Denmark has enable it to move away from its Aeroflot roots to Western-style operations. Western aircraft has now replaced all Russian-built aircraft, and the airline is positioned as an independent entity that is linked to Maersk's operations.

The current strength of the UK aerospace industry could be seriously undermined by government inaction and the industry hopes that the situation could be resolved by such solid show of support as matching funds for technology demonstration projects.

The European Union military powers likely will face defense budget cuts due to economic pressures linked to single European currency. Defense spending has been dropping in real terms since 1992. In addition, defense spending will be adversely affected by the expansion of NATO.

Lack of a coherent European strategy are hampering efforts by European countries to devise a cohesive missile defense system. Most Europeans believe such a system should be established under a cooperative framework with the participation of the US.

The Joint Strike Fighter competition has been reduced to Lockheed Martin and Boeing, after McDonnell Douglas was eliminated. Lockheed Martin has a more conservative, low risk design and Boeing has a more innovative design. McDonnell Douglas' innovative design was complex and could result in problems.

The midair collision between a Kazakh IL-76 and a Saudia Boeing 747 could have been prevented if new air traffic control equipment that had been installed at the New Delhi airport were operational. About 349 people died in the accident.

The United Kingdom announced at the 1996 Farnborough International Air Show that it would commit $2.3 billion to production of the Eurofighter 2000 jet fighter. The DA2, a Eurofighter prototype, was flown at the show. A Swedish JAS-39 fighter and a US C-17 cargo transport were among planes exhibited.

The central elements of a new integrated air traffic management (ATM) system have been developed and tested by research and air traffic organizations in Europe. The new system, designed to cater to the air control needs of the 21st century, is part of a new group of computer-assisted tools and technologies that have been accepted by aircrews and air traffic controllers. The European tests demonstrated how all these technologies have been integrated into a total air and ground system.

The UK is mulling replacements for the BL775 cluster bomb system and is considering three alternatives: a missile, a submunition dispensing system and a hybrid of both. High priority is being placed on the number of weapons necessary to achieve a minimum kill probability. The air-launched antiarmor weapon must be able to destroy multiple targets per pass and be lethal from a number of directions. It will see service on Harrier, Tornado and Eurofighter jets.

Seven of the West's leading missile makers are vying to build the UK's Conventionally Armed Stand-Off Missile (CASOM). The contract award will have a significant impact on the industry. Losing it could reduce European missile makers to niche players in the business because Britain might subsequently work more closely with the US for its weapons needs. CASOM is to be an air-launched missile that can strike hardened, point targets from a distance of 350 km.

The Dubai '95 International Aerospace Exhibition is expected to be attended by many commercial transport manufacturers attracted by the sustained growth of the civil aviation industry of the Middle East. With the region the fifth busiest air transport market in the world, forecasts of steady growth in civil aviation in the Middle East has been made. In 1994 airlines based in the Middle East carried 27.3 million passengers, a gain of 8.3% over 1993.

A group of influential House Republicans hopes to increase defense outlays by nearly $10 billion, with much of the money earmarked for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. However, the Republican-controlled Senate appears to prefer deficit reduction over increased military expenditures.

A study by the Institute for Defense Analysis, recommending procurement precise munitions and the upgrading of existing bombers instead of buying more Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bombers, has received endorsement from the Pentagon. The report's analysis of procurement scenarios is described.

NATO's Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) notion, which envisions cooperative missions with NATO nonmembers, remains a visionary idea without a sound command and logistics structure. Senior NATO officials are trying to develop command and control procedures for CJTF.