The decision by Northrop Grumman not to participate in the Airbus A3XX project has sparked accusations by Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) that Boeing and McDonnell Douglas (MDC)have put pressure on their US suppliers not to participate in the proposed European large aircraft programme.
DASA chairman Manfred Bischoff says that one potential US partner, thought to be Northrop Grumman, had been persuaded to break off discussions over participation in the A3XX. Bischoff says that the incident illustrates the huge influence that Boeing and MDC will have over aerospace suppliers if their merger proceeds.
Northrop Grumman confirms that it discontinued negotiations with Airbus on possible involvement in the A3XX project in 1996. The original discussions focused on nacelle design and development, but the group says that in late-1996 it took a strategic business decision not to be a prime integrator in the nacelle market.
Jean Pierson, Airbus' managing director, has claimed that Boeing has briefed two airlines on what he says are plans by the US company to launch its own new large airliner just before Airbus gives the go-ahead for the A3XX.
Source: Flight International
