It was the only one of Europe’s top five aerospace states which stayed outside its big consolidation projects, Airbus and EADS. But Italy has survived and thrived as a global player by focusing on niches and partnerships. Through military helicopters in the UK, aerostructures with Boeing and the Russians, and teaming with primes in the US defence and homeland security market, national champion Finmeccanica has kept its independence – despite pressure on budgets at home.
In this special report, we assess the group’s progress in these areas and discover how it plans to retain the technology edge that makes its companies such valued partners in a host of programmes and ventures around the world. We also find out how one Italian region wants to put its smaller suppliers on an international stage.
NH90 finally goes into action
Finmeccanica’s UK success
Can Italy make it in the USA?
Turin’s aerospace cluster
Designing in cyberspace
Evolving the UAV
Venice prepares for Superjet
Italy relaunches space strategy
Source: Flight International
