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Aviation History
1981
1981 - 0140.PDF
130 FLIGHT International, 17 January 1981 US aerospace industries chief calls for changes IF THE USA wants an adequate de fence industrial base over the next decade and beyond there must be major changes in the defence pro curement system, says American Aero space Industries Association (AIA) president Karl Harr. He calls for multi-year funding, more realistic in flation-rate projections in programme cost estimations and reduced control in the procurement process. Multi-year funding would reduce equipment costs as a result of more efficient production and more econ omical materials and component pur chasing by contractors, according to Harr. Industry and Government have to stop kidding themselves about infla tion, he says. "If the true rate is 12-13 per cent, we'll have to stop projecting weapon programme costs on an assumption of 8 per cent." That re sults in reduced orders and higher unit costs, Harr argues. He urges the incoming Reagan Administration to set goals which will maintain America's commercial-air craft manufacturing leadership and to strengthen the US space programme by supporting new space applications. American aerospace industry sales of $50,000 million for 1980 constitute an 11 per cent increase over those for the previous year, according to AIA. The growth represents a small gain in real terms over 1979's $45,000 million sales. Year-end order backlog is put at just under $100,000 million, an increase of almost 30' per cent com pared to twelve months ago. Exports grew substantially in 1980, from $11,700 million to more than $14,500 million. Net export balance is estimated at $11,300 million. The industry remains the country's lead ing exporter. After-tax profits (as a proportion of sales) are estimated to be an eighth down at 4-4 per cent. Forecast sales for 1981 are some 13 per cent up at $57,000 million. Total US aerospace employment shows a 4 per cent growth over 1979 at an estimated year-end figure of 1,200,000—the high est since 1969. Employment in aircraft manufac ture represents more than 55 per cent of total aerospace workforce at just under 670,000. The fall from the level prevailing in June 1980 is expected to continue as airliner delivery rates are reduced. AIA predicts that the figure will have fallen to 664,000 before 1981 is out. Numbers of production workers in aircraft manufacture grew by less than 1 per cent in each of the first two 1980 quarters and are ex pected to decline this year. The scientist / engineer / technician population, which grew more signifi cantly last year, is not seen as likely to fall during 1981. Employment by prime helicopter manufacturers reached 28,000 in March 1980, the highest figure for ten years; it is ex pected to remain stable during 1981. Lack of growth is attributed to in creased competition, especially from France. The moderate growth reported for employment in the space and missiles industries since 1979 is expected to continue at least until the end of this year. By far the major growth area in aerospace industry employment is in the manufacture of "products other than aircraft, missiles and space vehicles." This sector includes avionics I* \1| \l *•> j* - mm P and other aerospace and non-aero space output and achieved a 7 per cent increase during the first half of 1980; figures for the second half are expected to show a further climb in this sector. P&W restructure PRATT & WHITNEY'S government products division has been re structured. The engineering depart ment will include four technical branches: design, programmes, materials technology, technology and research and operations. New engin eering senior vice-president is Bernard Koff. A new customer-requirements and support department combines the pre vious marketing, product support and management functions under Joe Phillips. The realignment will be com pleted by March 1. Salvatore Curvino succeeds Phillips as mature-engine programmes v-p. Named operations v-p is Robert Guthrie, who follows Peter Manz, the new special projects v-p. Leonard DeSantis is promoted to F100 senior v-p, in charge of an enlarged F100 office which will include branches at USAF Air Logistics Centre, San Antonio, and P&W manufacturing at East Hartford. Lawrence Clarkson be comes group contract negotiation v-p. The first example of the new Rosenbauer Simba fire/crash tender (seen at last year's Hanover Show) has been sold to Kuwait. See news item Company news AIR SUPPORT International (6753 East 47th Avenue Drive, Denver, Colorado 80216; telephone [303] 333- 5441) has been established at Staple- ton International Airport, Denver. The company aims to provide aircraft- accessory repairs and overhaul to air line and large-aircraft operators. Additional factory-authorised service centre approvals are sought by Air Support, which is an FAA-approved repair station. SAAB is to build a $30 million, 270,000ft2 factory for production of the Saab-Fairchild 340 commuter air liner. Work begins immediately under a contract awarded to BPA Construc tion. The facility, at Linkoeping Air port, will also feature a three-storey 65,000ft2 office building. The project is scheduled for com pletion by July 1, 1982, although some capacity will be available by the end of next year. First-flight date for the new aircraft is given as late 1982, with deliveries set for early 1984.
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