Business jet deliveries in 2000 have hit an astonishing all-time high of more than 700 jets worth more than $10 billion. For the first time, the business jet market is larger than the global market for combat aircraft. The market has been transformed, and fears of a market bubble have been assuaged. The only question concerns whether the market has hit a new plateau, or if it will grow further still. A SUDDEN GROWTH SPURT

The future of the world fighter market has long been linked to the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter program. However, the prospects for JSF have grown cloudy, affecting the future of the other players.

The U.S bomber force remains one of the greatest legacies of the Cold War era. While this fleet looks set to receive extensive upgrade funding in the coming years, the prospect of it being reinforced by new aircraft is increasingly unlikely. After the Kosovo experience, the U.S. military again began to question the possibility of a new bomber procurement effort. Options discussed include renewed procurement of Northrop Grumman's B-2, or a lighter, less expensive B-2 variant, or an all-new bomber using new technologies.