Andrezj Jeziorski/MUNICH
Boeing has added momentum to its F-18 marketing campaign in Central Europe, signing industrial agreements in the Czech Republic and Poland covering future co-operation.
The US company has struck an agreement with the Polish Aviation Institute (IL), outlining co-operation in 20 advanced-technology fields related to the US company's F-18 Hornet programme.
It has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Skoda in the Czech Republic to investigate and pursue "viable business opportunities in the Czech Republic and international markets", which will open the door for Skoda subsidiaries to become F-18 subcontractors.
The Polish agreement covers the testing and development of structures, as well as direct technology transfer from Boeing and its F-18 partners: principal subcontractor Northrop Grumman, engine manufacturer General Electric and radar supplier Hughes.
Boeing says that the deal will include materials testing, composites technology, windtunnel testing and numerical-analysis work. The partners will also work towards identifying new possibilities for joint projects, direct orders and technical co-operation with IL.
Boeing is pushing its F-18 as a candidate to meet fighter requirements in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. It is competing with Lockheed Martin, which is offering its F-16, Saab, offering its JAS39 Gripen, and Dassault, with its Mirage 2000-5.
Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin signed an agreement with Polish manufacturer PZL-Mielec, offering the company an F-16 assembly line. The Polish group has a similar assembly-line agreement for the F-18. Saab is also offering Poland manufacture of the Gripen, while Dassault has made lower-key statements about the possibility of allowing Central European customers to manufacture Mirage subassemblies.
In the Czech Republic, Boeing has a further edge in having been selected, together with its partner Czech Airlines (CSA) - a Boeing customer - to become an investment partner in Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody.
Boeing says that it is hoping for confirmation in the fourth quarter that it and CSA are to take over 34-40% of Aero. The US company confirms that it has presented an offer of joint F-18 production with Aero, but declines to comment on suggestions that Aero will be given work hitherto carried out by Northrop Grumman starting in 1998, before any fighter-purchase decision by the Czechs.
According to Boeing, Northrop Grumman remains a "strong member of the Hornet industrial team", manufacturing centre and rear fuselage elements.
Source: Flight International
