Q When is BAe going to join one of the US Joint Strike Fighter teams?
A Soon. It is a complex decision. We've got to see what is on offer in terms of the quality and quantity of the work.
Q How does the JSF fit in with current and future European collaborative military aircraft projects?
A We are looking at two staff targets in the UK: The Sea Harrier replacement, where the STOVL JSF seems the obvious answer, and the Tornado GR4 replacement.
The requirements are different. Then you've got Dassault and the Italians and Germans, who need to replace their Tornados.
It is important to maintain the ability to carry out systems engineering on combat aircraft and the ability to export them.
A share of JSF will not provide the same business opportunities as participation in a large European project. It is not an 'either/or' question.
Q How is your work with Dassault on future combat aircraft progressing?
A It's going well. Our people are working on the technology of the next generation of aircraft beyond the Eurofighter. We hope it will carry through in the medium to long term, so we do not have three new combat aircraft appearing in Europe at the same time.
Q How do you see the current situation regarding the proposed re-organisation of the French defence industry?
A We are watching the new French Government with great interest. Their policy is of great importance. What Mr Jospin says in his final address at the end of the week will be an issue of intense anticipation during the week.
Q Do you have any news on the progress of German Eurofighter funding?
A It would be nice to announce we had signed the production investment agreement.
We have been encouraged by the recent discussion between UK and German ministers and hopefully by the autumn it will be cleared through the German parliament.
Q What is the export potential of the Eurofighter?
A We've had phenomenal interest for an aircraft that is in this stage of production.
We have active marketing campaigns in the UAE, Norway and Australia. Australia is showing interest in it as a F-111 and F/A-18 replacement.
Q How are the Airbus company formation talks progressing?
A The Airbus ministers have signed a memorandum of understanding on turning Airbus into a single entity.
We are very comfortable with the way the process is laid out in the MoU. It is important we see through that process.
For Airbus to compete with Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, it will have to be extremely lean and efficient.
Q In the light of BAe's experience of privatisation 13 years ago, do you have any advice for your European colleagues who could soon be going through the same process?
A It is not for me to tell them how to run their businesses, but we are able to offer our experience of the shift in culture to being a privatised entity that has to survive in the marketplace.
We can also learn a lot of lessons others teach us and we will benefit from cross-fertilisation in European collaboration.
Source: Flight Daily News
