The Madrid terrorist attacks on 11 March and the subsequent election of a new government in Spain have indirectly affected the French-led unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator project.
Spain was on the point of signing up "but now we've got to start again from zero", says French procurement agency DGA, adding that the final list of participants must be drawn up by the end of April.
The DGA says EADS Casa has a "recognised competence in composite materials" needed for structural elements of the UCAV. The company had planned to invest €40 million ($49 million). Greece is investing about €20 million in the effort, while Sweden is thought to have signed up to provide about €75 million.
Dassault Aviation, prime contractor on the €300 million programme, has been approaching European companies with special areas of competence since project launch at the 2003 Paris air show.
Rolls-Royce was approached "because it has an engine we are very interested in", says the DGA, while Switzerland's Ruag is a specialist in aerodynamics. The DGA says initial contact has been made with Dutch industry, while Germany could participate in electronics. Some workshare may also go to Dassault's Belgian subsidiary Sabca, while Finmeccanica should provide 70% of Italy's €40 million investment (Flight International, 17-23 February).
The DGA says once agreement has been reached between a company and Dassault, that company then seeks funding from its national government. When agreement is reached a letter of intent is signed between the French government and its counterpart and a memorandum of understanding is signed between the foreign company and Dassault.
"In a number of cases the governments have been the first to make contact," the DGA says, citing the Finnish government, which asked to participate in radio software.
France wishes to retain 50% of the workshare in the project, but the DGA hints this may change.
CHRISTINA MACKENZIE / PARIS
Source: Flight International
