Julian Moxon/PARIS
The European Commission (EC) has proposed a near doubling of the money available for aerospace research and technology in the four-year period starting next year.
The ECU900 million ($1.08 billion) spending plan, contained in its Fifth Framework programme for Europe-wide research and technology, represents a long-awaited increase in funding. It is also the first time the EC has drawn up its aerospace research budget as a separate item, or "key action", a move which the European Association of Aerospace Industries (Aecma) describes as a "very significant change in EC policy".
The change in attitude follows criticism that the EC had failed to understand the importance of aerospace in its spending plans. The Commission now admits that "-Europe cannot compete in world markets without the leading-edge technology of the aerospace sector". It also sees such support acting as a catalyst, helping to ensure Europe's research and technologyeffort is directed along common lines while the aerospace and defence industries restructure.
While the money cannot be aimed at the development of specific aircraft, the EC wants it to be used where ever possible for projects that are seen as applications oriented and "close to the market" - and particularly for programmes that bring together a mix of companies from several European Union (EU) countries.
Aecma says one area seen as vital for growth is simultaneous engineering between aerospace companies throughout the EU area. The planned 550-seat Airbus Industrie A3XX and other future Airbus programmes are likely to benefit, as well as research directed towards general aviation powerplants, advanced helicopter technology and new materials that might have applications elsewhere.
Alenia president Giorgio Zappa has been elected president of Aecma, replacing Aerospatiale's Yves Michot. He will hold the post for a year in which the organisation promises to "-encourage co-operation in space and defence, promote the introduction of the Euro within aerospace industry transactions and expedite the creation of a European company statute".
Source: Flight International
