Finmeccanica subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica has won a leading position in the fighter, transport and aerostructures markets by partnering some of the world's biggest aerospace primes, including Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Dassault, EADS and Lockheed Martin. The strategy has made the Naples-based company one of the most powerful "backroom brands" in the industry.
A decision taken in the late 1970s was the turning point in Alenia's fortunes and shaped its development - and to a large extent that of its parent. Alenia threw in its lot with the USA, working with Boeing on development of the 767. While the company remains closely linked to European industry through programmes ranging from the Eurofighter Typhoon to the Airbus A380 and regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, a 50:50 joint venture with EADS, Boeing remains arguably its most important partner.
The company, together with its US partner Vought Aircraft Industries, has a 26% share of 7E7 airframe work and has announced plans to take on 1,000 workers in southern Italy by 2007 for 7E7 work (Flight International, 26 October-1 November). The partners are also to build a pre-assembly factory in the USA - a site will be announced this month. In addition, Alenia works on Boeing's 717, 757, 767 and 777 programmes.
One of the other key projects for Alenia is the Eurofighter Typhoon. It is a 19% shareholder in the programme, responsible for the left wing and some systems, as well as final assembly of the 121 Eurofighter Typhoons ordered by the Italian air force. Like its Eurofighter partners BAE and EADS, Alenia has been hit by the delay in signing a Tranche 2 production contract. Once this is signed, Alenia and its partners will go all out to secure exports, particularly Greece's stalled order for 60 aircraft, plus 30 options, says Alenia chairman and chief executive Giorgio Zappa.
The C-27J Spartan tactical transport jointly developed with Lockheed Martin is another key programme for Alenia. Again, Greece is a crucial customer, with 12 aircraft ordered and a further three on option. Greece will be the first to operate the aircraft, with the first delivery earmarked for January and the rest of the aircraft arriving monthly. But the USA remains the big export hope - the US Army and National Guard are evaluating the C-27J for requirements totalling up to 125 aircraft.
Alenia is also partnered with Airbus's 80% owner EADS in the ATR regional turboprop joint venture. Although sales of passenger versions of the ATR 42 and 72 appear to be drying up, the family has secured 688 orders over its lifetime. Better prospects now appear to be offered with cargo and special-mission variants of the aircraft: the Italian financial police and the coastguard have ordered three and two examples of the maritime patrol versions of the ATR 42, respectively. Alenia is also developing an anti-submarine warfare variant of the larger ATR 72.
Alenia is also keen to push further into the regional airline sector by bidding for a substantial minority stake in Spanish aerostructures company Gamesa Aeronautica. "They are very strong with Bombardier and Embraer, where we are not," says Zappa, who adds: "We are ready to discuss a final offer." Alenia is also bidding, against EADS teamed with Embraer, for a majority stake in Portuguese maintenance specialist OGMA.
MURDO MORRISON / ROME
Source: Flight International
