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The recent symposium of Aerospace Finance Executives, held in New York, shows continuing consolidation of the industry worldwide. Some merger deals have been completed and others are being considered.

The article presents author's views on nationalist economic agenda of Trump administration on dumping Bombardier aircraft in the U.S. Topics discussed include political opportunism in commercial aerospace industry and airframe manufacturing, response of World Trade Organization (WTO), and government support.

The article offers an analysis of the 2014 Top-Performing Companies (TPC) of the aerospace/defense industry. The results suggest that the industry is prospering and that the outlook is good especially for U.S. companies. Surging commercial aircraft demand reportedly offset a declining defense market. It cites challenges ahead including research and development (R&D) spending and declining defense-related revenues. Tables on the TPC are presented, led by Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Communications and aerospace giant Rockwell International Corp., has announced plans to exit aerospace business by selling its aerospace electronics unit Rockwell Collins. Rockwell International expect the new Rockwell Collins to be competitive in the communications and avionics market.

The article focuses on the limited number of U.S. Medal of Honor (MoH) among aviators. It talks about the mission where Air Force pilot Joe Jackson rescued three Air Force special operations personnel from North Vietnamese troops, resulting in his being bestowed the MoH by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It mentions Johnson's nomination came from Army General William C. Westmoreland instead of an Air Force commander. It comments on Captain Barry F. Crawford Jr. and why he earned an Air Force Cross.

The article focuses on the ability of new U.S. aerospace chief executive officers (CEO) to solve problems like their senior counterparts. Industry experts express doubts that the new breed of CEOs are up to challenges faced by senior ones such as setting research and development (R&D) budget. Some of the problems awaiting CEOs in 2010 cited by the authors are limited military budgets, new commercial policies, growth sustainability, aging workforce and new competition. Brief profiles of new CEOs are also provided.

The article reports that World War II has ended, the jet age is still in its infancy, and U.S. military aviation is maturing rapidly. To showcase their rapidly evolving aircraft fleets, the Air Force and Navy activate official aerial demonstration teams, the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels. In the following stories, Editor-in-Chief Anthony L. Velocci, Jr. and Rocky Mountain Bureau Chief William B. Scott report on the teams, including their personal experiences of flying with the "Birds" and the "Blues." Since Thunderbird pilots display the utmost humility, that leaves room for only one star: the F-16, with its distinctive hand-painted 'Thunderbird' motif.

This article presents information on several military aircrafts. Production and modification of military aircraft of every description sustain aerospace/defense companies worldwide, ranging from the single-engine Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainer to the four-engine Boeing C-17 long-range transport. While the number of new programs has greatly diminished in the last decade, new designs are in various stages of development. Aermacchi M-346 is a two-seat, advanced jet trainer under development by Aermacchi and derived from the Yakovlev Yak-130. The M-346 is powered by two 6,250-lb.-thrust Honeywell F124 turbofan engines. Alenia C-271 is a Short-/medium-range STOL transport developed as a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Alenia under Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems.

The article presents an updated profile of the overall competitiveness of the aerospace/defense and airline industries as prepared by the magazine 'Aviation Week & Space Technology.' The overall competitiveness for much of the industry has continued to improve in the last year, although there are still many deficiencies in essential areas. Internal collaboration among business units and the integration of information are just two examples. In those areas where the industry has made important progress, the improvement is the result of several key trends.

Focuses on the popularity of Six Sigma, a process-improvement methodology among aerospace manufacturers in the U.S. Approaches for reducing costs and improving customer satisfaction; Benefits of the Six Sigma approach; Quality-boosting efforts of the aerospace industry. INSET: The ABCs of Six Sigma..

Reports the performance of the aircraft company Raytheon Aircraft Co. in the U.S. Recovery of the manufacturing operations of the company; Financial issues; Management strategies.

Reports the business success of the aerospace/defense industry in the U.S. Expertise of initiating the business strategies; Amount of fixed investment returns; Ranking of the top-performing aerospace firms.

Reports the condition of aerospace defense industry in the U.S. Evolution of the market in well-defined stages; Increase in the total market for homeland defense products and services; Increment in the dollar value of projects.

Focuses on the excellence of General Dynamics Corp. on leveraging fixed assets in the United States. Ability of the company to maintain performance from 1999 through 2000; Use of return on net assets; Factors influencing company performance.

Reports the study of the Index of Competitiveness on aerospace and defense industries for the year 2001 in United States. Failure of the industry to generate sales from fixed assets; Factors contributing to the lack of progress on the industry; Pressures on contractors due to increased debt.

Focuses on the financial challenges faced by Raytheon Co. Debt of the company; Suggestion of divesting Raytheon Aircraft Co.; Liabilities from Engineers & Constructors business.

Focuses on the problems of the aerospace industry in Canada. Absence of integration capability among second-tier suppliers; Need of research and development investments; Decline in the overall work shares of lower-tier suppliers.

Presents several equipment and supplies for the aerospace industries available as of September 11, 2000. Cryocon Inc.'s deep cryogenic tempering system; Carbide drills from Guhring; Superseder III aircraft battery charger-analyzer from Aero Quality Sales; Features and functions; Contact information.

Presents the top-managed companies in the aerospace industries, based on performance gathered in `Aviation Week & Space Technology' periodical's Index of Competitiveness study. Focus of business operations; Components of the index; Performances in the area of asset management; Operating cash flow return on investment.

Focuses on the effects of rising fuel costs on the earnings of airlines in the United States. Airlines affected by the rising fuel costs; Includes US Airways; Delta Air Lines; Net income of AMR Corp.

Reports on the financial and operational problems of Lockheed Martin Corp., the largest defense contractor in the United States. Low employee morale; Loss of market capitalization; Decline in share prices on October 29, 1999; Efforts of chairman and chief executive officer Vance Coffman to bolster employee morale; Deferment of capital spending; Failure to efficiently integrate acquisitions.

Reports on the `Aviation Week & Space Technology' periodical's 1999 Index of Competitiveness in the airline industry. Large airlines' avoidance of the merger trend; Asset utilization of small airlines; Rankings of the airlines.

Reports that a growing number of aerospace/defense companies are pursuing six sigma quality initiatives in a drive to increase productivity and sustain long-term profitability. Significance of other companies which have launched such efforts; Comments of Scott Robertson, a principal of The Spectrum Management Group in Guilford, Connecticut; Aerospace and defense companies which lag other industries in terms of quality; Contractors who believe six sigma is too narrowly focused.

Continues a series of articles on `Aviation Week & Space Technology's' 1998 Index of Competitiveness. Whether the United States aerospace/defense mega-mergers have resulted in more competitive enterprises; What the data revealed; Major aerospace performance rankings; Economic initiatives to consolidate; Validation; Post-merger integration as crucial to the industry.

Reports on the probable merger between US defense contractors Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrup Grumman Co. Competition projected with Boeing Corp.; The need for regulatory approval; Debate about consolidation within the industry; Possible effects on the aircraft and defense industries.

Presents the results of the `Aviation Week'/Spectrum Index of Competitiveness in the aeronautics industry for 1997. Inadequate levels of corporate throughput, or the conversion of inventory to finished goods shipped to customers; Working capital productivity, which gauges the effectiveness of all the actions associated with moving material from receiving through production and off the shipping dock; The difficulty in satisfying customers; Conclusion of the index report.

Explores various aspects of the competition in the aviation industry in the United States based on the findings of the Index of Competitiveness. Comparison of performance of small and large firms; Measurement of working capital productivity (WCP); Efforts to improve cost and delivery performance by aviation contractors; Implications on aviation industry.

Reports on the financial gains made by aerospace and defense industries in Great Britain in 1994. Losses incurred by French and German companies during the same year; Losses blamed on weak American dollar; Privatization plan for companies in France; Improvement in regional aircraft losses by British Aerospace; Rise in military engine deliveries until 1996.

Features AlliedSignal Aerospace. Success in aeronautics vending; Company as the largest supplier in the aerospace industry in the United States; Achievements of chief executive officer Robert Crandall; Percentage of contracts in 1994; Focus on addressing customers' requirements; Lean product environment; Cut of own preferred supplier base; Low number of defective parts.

Reports on Martin Marietta and Northrop's bidding for the American independent aerospace company, Grumman Corp. Values of respective bids; Northrop's disruption of an agreement between Martin Marietta and Grumman for a friendly consolidation; Goals of a Northrop-Grumman combination; Obstacles of transactions between the three companies.

Forecasts the rapid reduction in the number of United States aerospace suppliers by 1997. Shift to industries requiring less demanding quality, scheduling and manufacturing processes; Change in the motive for downsizing since 1992; Competition as the motivating factor for companies to be more responsive to customers; Potential problems from the shakeout.

Presents an interview with US Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Perry on the global aerospace and air transport industries. Downsizing; Defense spending; Consolidation of US military aircraft manufacturers; Defense-unique programs; Acquisition reforms.

Interviews Alfred E. Kahn on the issue of airline deregulation. Status of the deregulation program; Impact to employment; Customer savings from the program; Status of airline fares; Vision of deregulation.

Features an interview with Frank Turner, managing director of Lucas Aerospace, Inc. on the company's outlook in the expected shakeout of the United Kingdom aerospace industry. Company's plans for long-range growth; Lucas' standing in the industry; New product development, business strategy and operations.

Profiles a number of US and European aerospace firms and airlines that took part in the recent conference co-sponsored by `Aviation Week' and Lionheart Research Inc. Commercial airline sector disastrous in 1992; Financial figures for General Dynamics Corp., ranked No. 1 in total return to shareholders; Comments from company officials; Among other companies profiled: Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas Corp., Martin Marietta Corp., GM Hughes Electronics, Raytheon, Airbus Industrie.

Interviews C. Michael Armstrong, chairman and chief executive officer of GM Hughes Electronics, concerning his drive to commercialize more of Hughes' technology and sharpen the company's competitive edge. Armstrong's thoughts on Hughes' approaching 20 percent cost-reduction but not performing well against peers; Whether or not Hughes is being groomed for sale; Changes in the missile business since the acquisition of General Dynamics' missile business; His forecasts.

Examines McDonnell Douglas Corp. McDonnell Douglas has been slow to deliver on promises and many industry observers are questioning the company's ability to follow through. Major goals McDonnell Douglas is committed to achieving by year-end; Attempts to form alliance with non-US companies which will become equity partners; Measures of performance posted over past few years; McDonnell's position in the military and commercial space business; Productivity improvements; Details.

Presents an interview with Juergen Weber, chairman of Lufthansa German Airlines. Growth in passenger business and airline's operating results; Returning Lufthansa to profitability; Program 93, Lufthansa's three-year cost-cutting initiatives; Strategic accord with U.S. carrier; German Corporate Employees and Public Workers' unions; Criticism of British Air; More.

Recounts the Senior Aerospace Executive Roundtable in Paris, which explored a broad range of issues critical to the French aerospace industry. French aerospace companies that participated; French criticisms of US trade policy; Effects of weak export sales; Plans for layoffs; Suggestion that government intervention in the marketplace be restricted to regulating weapons sales; Four principal goals for French aerospace industry; Focus on new technology; Criticisms of industry.

Defense electronics and business aircraft maker Raytheon Aircraft Co., may sell its business aircraft operations to concentrate on defense electronics. Propspective buyers are General Dynamics Corp., and Dassault Aviation S.A.

The article focuses on the efforts of Greece to achieve greater openness in its defense procurement. One move towards such goal was Greece's adoption of a legislative framework that previously did not exist for buying armaments. There are a variety of reasons why Greece wants to maintain a robust program of defense modernization including its participation in the global war on terrorism and in the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

An interview with Scott Carson, president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, is presented. He mentions how much of the company's backlog has been financed. He says that 70-80% of their backlog is eligible for financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States. He also accounts whether there are any problems with GE Commercial Aviation Services (Gecas).

An interview with Michael T. Strianese, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of L-3 Communications, is presented. He describes the possible changes in the U.S. aerospace and defense landscape if the Democrats control the administration the Congress in 2009. He explains the possible impact of the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq on L-3 Communications. According to Strianese, he is satisfied with the changes he had made to the organizational structure and business portfolio of L-3 Communications.

The article assesses the inability of Boeing Co. to deliver its 787 aircraft and the delay of its first flight. Even as Boeing Co. CEO James McNerney and Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) President and CEO Scott Carson on October 10, 2007 were acknowledging late delays for 15 of the 50 customers who have placed a record 710 firm orders for the 787, the company's sales and management executives were calling customers to reassure them that the aircraft's design and development remain fundamentally sound.

This article focuses on efforts of Eclipse Aviation to mass produce very light jets (VLJs). Eclipse Aviation CEO Vern Raburn blames himself for overselling the idea that airplanes could be produced in big batches as efficiently as personal computers when asked why his company has been able to deliver only 50 small jets short of the hundreds he had forecast. To realize his idea of mass producing VLJs, Raburn is turning to the automobile industry to learn lessons on mass production and away from the computer industry.

The article focuses on the challenges faced by government service contractors as they help to build a more secure Afghanistan. Twenty DynCorp International employees were killed when the company's operational headquarters in Afghanistan was attacked by terrorists driving a car bomb. With the Taliban's resurgence, many parts of Afghanistan have become more dangerous. Missions contractors provide training, logistics and security-related services, among others.

Demand for business jets in the Asia-Pacific region, historically little more than wishful thinking on the part of original equipment manufacturers, at last may be coming to life. Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna Aircraft Co., Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Dassault Aviation's Falcon Jet and Raytheon Aircraft Co. are beginning to see growing interest in their bizjet offerings across all market segments. The number of business aircraft based throughout the region is relatively tiny, only 215, compared with about 1,300 in Europe and about 15,000 in North America.

When the magazine, Aviation Week & Space Technology last took the collective pulse of the U.S.' six legacy hub-and-spoke airlines in November 2002, their vital signs were weak. In the 15 months since the magazine published its special report on the U.S. airline industry's precarious financial state. The airline crisis of 2001-03 is over, and there is unlikely to be any more Chapter 11 filings anytime soon, declared Philip Roberts, vice president and managing partner of Unisys R2A, a transportation management consulting firm. In addition, low-cost competitors, such as AirTran, JetBlue Airways Corp. and Southwest Airlines Co. are continuing to take market share away. As a result, the immediate impact may not be as dramatic as many observers expect. But in the longer run, Southwest is expected to make mincemeat of US Airways Inc. because its operating costs are so much lower.

Boeing Co.'s recent decision to turn reins over to Harry Stonecipher following Phil Condit's resignation may end the management turmoil that has racked the corporation in the last month, but only time will tell whether this picture of stability is real or merely an illusion. Challenges faced by the company include inspiring the workforce to rally behind Stonecipher, a successful launch of the 7E7, putting problem programs in Integrated Defense Systems back on track, convincing major investors and emerging from a fresh round of investigations with a clean bill of health.