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Aviation History
1997
1997 - 1216.PDF
NEWS ANALYSIS Commercial moves Lockheed Martin is ready to move back into commercial aerospace and a tie-up with Europe's Airbus Industrie is on the cards GRAHAM WARWICK/LAS VEGAS L OCKHEED MARTIN IS poised to return to commer cial aerospace, through a pos sible alliance with Airbus In dustrie and by expanding its exist ing aircraft-maintenance capabi lity. Micky Blackwell, president of Lockheed Martin's Aeronautics sector, says that the US company must increase its international business and boost its share of the maintenance market if it is to grow. Talks now under way could result in Lockheed Martin adapt ing an Airbus design into a tanker/transport, while taking a stake in future Airbus programmes. The discussions underline the US company's desire to involve European companies in the com mercial development of a strategic airlifter to complement its private- venture C-130J tactical transport. Lockheed Martin has "turned the corner" on the C-130J pro gramme, Blackwell says, after experiencing substantial delays in development of the improved Hercules. US certification and first deliveries are now planned for Sep tember, although the programme is "... not without its schedule chal lenges," he acknowledges. Blackwell says that Lockheed Martin was "badly bitten" by some subcontractors on component de livery for the C-130J, but admits that additional flight-testing has been needed because of undesir able stall characteristics caused by the new six-blade propellers. Italy is expected to commit to buying C-130Js before the Paris air show in June, allowing Alenia and Lockheed Martin to give the go- ahead for joint development of an improved version of the Italian company's G.222 transport, dub bed the C-27J. "There is far more interest in the C-27J than we expected," admits Blackwell. "There are countries that want the lift, but not die cost. The C-27J has half the price, half the range Blackwell: seeking growth through international business and maintenance ing from and half the payload [of the C- 130J]." There will be substantial commonality between the two air craft, although Blackwell indicates that the C-27J powerplant choice is still open, with the C-130J's Allison AE2100 fac- competition the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150. Australia and Bra zil are among poten tial customers for the C-27J, development of which will form a "major part" of Lockheed Martin's offset commitment for an Italian purchase of C-130Js, he says. The US company is discussing joint development of its proposed New Strategic Aircraft (NSA) with Airbus partners Aerospatiale and Daimler-Benz Aerospace (Dasa). The three companies have com pleted a study of the market for a commercially developed tanker/ "We are always open to a good deal. Weave looking at the return [on the A340and A3XX]." transport aircraft and will decide by Paris whether to proceed jointly into concept development (Flight International, 30 April-6May). Blackwell says that Lockheed Martin is stressing to its potential partners that the NSA is not a com petitor for the Airbus-led Fu ture Large Air craft (FLA). "I do not want to engender an NSA versus FLA com petition," he says, arguing that the turboprop-pow ered FLA is a tac- aircraft, and therefore not competitive with the turbofan- powered NSA. "The FLA as envis aged is a competitor for the C-130J,"hesays. "Competition today is not com pany versus company, but pro gramme versus programme," Blackwell maintains, noting that Lockheed Martin and Boeing co- tical operate on the F-22 but compete on the Joint Strike Fighter QSF). "Europe can do what it likes with the FLA, but if Europe needs strategic lift then the [NSA] 'world airlifter' is a good answer," he says. The NSA and FLA programmes may compete for resources avail able within the European com panies, Blackwell acknowledges, "...buttheyhavetodecide internal ly how to use their resources." A modified Airbus aircraft is one of the options being studied by Lockheed Martin, Aerospatiale and Dasa, and is a "very viable can didate" to replace the Boeing KC- 13 5 tanker, says Blackwell. The US company is having a "broad range of discussions" with Airbus, which include talks about co-operation on the NSA, a Lockheed Martin bid to supply engine nacelles for the planned A340-500/600 and an Airbus offer of work on the A340 and proposed A3XX. "We are always open to a good deal," says Blackwell. "We are looking at the investment and return [on the A340 and A3XX]," he says, adding: "We are willing to make the investment if the aircraft will sell and we make money." There are also other opportunities for co-operation, either with Airbus or with one or more of its partner companies, he says. "Lockheed Martin's goal is to expand as a global company," Blackwell says, noting that over 50% of its aeronautical sales are international. A key part of the company's drive to become the partner of choice in Europe is that ".. .Lockheed Martin is not a threat in the commercial market," he says. In addition to the C-27J joint- venture with Alenia, and a deal with Spain's CASA on upgrading C-130s, Lockheed Martin has agreements with Alenia and Dasa to pursue the opportunity to re place or upgrade German and Italian Dassault Atlantic maritime- patrol aircraft. Blackwell says that the US company is offering • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 7 - 13 May 1997
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