U.S. and European Union officials again will try to craft a much needed open skies agreement between the world's two largest aviation markets, but talks promise to be difficult and time is not on the negotiators' side. To a large extent, the U.S. and Europe are back to square one, after the Transportation Dept. ceased efforts to ease restrictions on foreign involvement in U.S. airlines. These efforts were among the main U.S. concessions the Europeans were looking for as part of a proposed open skies agreement presented in late 2005.
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Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. plans to acquire 100% of PZL Mielec from the Polish government. Sikorsky officials say PZL will form the foundation of the company's European operations, and plans call for a major upgrade of PZL's facilities in Mielec to support international production of Black Hawk helicopters. PZL is Poland's largest fixed-wing airframer.
Vic Verma has been named CEO of the Savi Group, Sunnyvale, Calif. He was chief executive officer of Savi Technology before it was acquired by the Lockheed Martin Corp. Ron Nakamoto has been appointed chief operating officer and Jerry Lindstrom vice president-business development. Nakamoto was vice president-intelligence systems and Lindstrom vice president-strategic development for Lockheed Martin's Integrated Systems Solutions.
Air Force Aero Vodochody L-39 (4) Mikoyan MiG-25 (1) Mil Mi-2 (9) Mil Mi-24K (2) Mil Mi-24P (8) Mil Mi-24R (2) Mil Mi-8 (11) Mil Mi-9 (2) Sukhoi Su-25 (5) Sukhoi Su-25K (9) Sukhoi Su-25UBK (1) Yakovlev Yak-52 (16)
With prices high, capacity tight and a new production/launch setup firmly in place, Arianespace is girding for faster growth, provided external factors do not conspire to perturb the market. The Paris-based launch service company landed contracts for 12 spacecraft in 2006, up from nine the year before. And with demand for communications satellites likely to remain healthy, Arianespace hopes to do as well again this year. Last week, the company announced the first order for 2007, from the U.S.-based broadcasting ProtoStar (see p. 422).
DEPARTMENTS Letters 398-399 Who's Where 400-401 Industry Outlook 403 Airline Outlook 404 In Orbit 405 News Breaks 406-409 Washington Outlook 411 A European Perspective 430 Contrails 437 Classified 439-440 Contact Us 442 Aerospace Calendar 443 MARKET FOCUS Unlike U.S. issues, European A&D stocks underperformed market in '06 402 NEWS BREAKS
Anyone doubting the importance of the tactical missile market on corporate bottom lines need only look at Forecast International's latest estimate of the market's production value over the next five years: $30 billion. Dominating this arena will be American and European companies caught up in a tight race for market share. Indeed, over the next five years these companies will account for 54% of the worldwide market, or a total value of $16.2 billion. Russian missile production will add another $2.95 billion.
Thales's homeland security activity stands to grow nearly 50% following the acquisition of critical information and transportation system business lines from Alcatel-Lucent. Thales shareholders approved the €1-billion ($1.3-billion) purchase, along with the issuance of €25 million in new shares to pay for it, on Jan. 5. The €40 per-share issue will more than double Alcatel-Lucent's holding in Thales, to 21%, while diminishing the French government's ownership four points, to 27.3%. The free float will also fall 6%.
Rep. Thomas Petri (R-Wis.) has been selected as ranking Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure aviation subcommittee. Petri's district includes Oshkosh, home of the Experimental Aircraft Assn. Washington insiders expect he will be sympathetic to general aviation's needs.
Compiled in cooperation with Forecast International Inc. For more information, contact Forecast International, 22 Commerce Road, Newtown, CT 06470 USA. www.forecastinternational.com; phone +1 (203) 426-0800; e-mail [email protected]
Compiled in cooperation with Robert V. Dahl, Air Cargo Management Group/CARGO FACTS. For more information, the Air Cargo Management Group can be contacted at 520 Pike St., Suite 1010, Seattle, Wash. 98101. Phone: +1 (206) 587-6537, fax +1 (206) 587-6540. Website: www.cargofacts.com; e-mail: [email protected]
