Aerospatiale is warning that a continuing delay by France and Germany over the proposed Future Large Aircraft (FLA) military transport increasingly jeopardises the project's future.

A senior Aerospatiale source complains that the failure of participating governments to commit to spending up to Fr600 million ($110 million) for the pre- definition phase of the FLA military transport could eventually see Europe purchase a US alternative.

"I do not understand why they are hesitating," says one source. "We need initiatives from France and Germany on this programme if we are to avoid being forced to buy from the USA."

The comments reflect continuing uncertainty over the seven-nation programme (consisting of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey, with the UK present as an observer), which has been in difficulty since first France, then Germany, declared an unwillingness to fund the development programme in 1996.

Aerospatiale has since proposed a novel industry funding solution for full-scale development, but this would still be conditional on government commitments to buy the FLA after the pre-definition phase.

The money is needed for the FLA programme office in Toulouse to be able to define the aircraft and prepare operating costs in time to present final specifications to the governments in 18 months' time.

The source says that it is "unreasonable" to expect industry to "freelance" the pre- definition phase. "They must show that they are positive."

In a speech to the Royal Aeronautical Society in Toulouse in March, David Jennings, head of FLA marketing, said that the issue of a request for proposals from the participating governments was expected "within a couple of months". This would confirm the approval for the planned single-phase approach for development of the aircraft, he says, "-and will trigger the formation of Airbus Military Company and the start of pre-launch activities". In a clear difference with Aerospatiale's view, however, he adds that the pre-launch phase "-would be entirely funded by industry".

Official launch is planned for late 1998, with the first flight due in mid-2002 and delivery to the first customer in mid-2004.

 

 

Source: Flight International