News on Aerospace and Defense Sector

Germany Airbus A400M

2010-03-19T05:01:25Z

The fourth A400M fuselage is being loaded on board an Airbus Beluga plane at the Airbus manufacturing site in Bremen, northern Germany, on Friday, March 12, 2010. The fuselage of the novel military airlifter will be delivered to the manufacturing site in Sevilla, Spain,...

US tanker bid war heats up with Airbus, Russia in wings

2010-03-19T20:15:51Z

<div><p>The US Air Force tanker bidding contest against Boeing heated up, with Airbus parent EADS mulling a proposal and Russia's state firm UAC gearing up for one next week.</p><p>EADS opened the door to a bid against Boeing for a lucrative US Air Force tanker contract after the Pentagon signaled a flexible deadline to accommodate the European aerospace giant.</p><p>The EADS NV says it will consider bidding for a big contract to build the U.S. Air Force's next generation of aerial tankers.</p><p>DROP...

EADS considers tender for US tanker deal

2010-03-19T09:16:10Z

<div><p>European aerospace giant EADS may submit a new offer to supply the US air force with tanker jets if revised Pentagon tender rules give it a fair chance of success, the firm said Friday.</p><p>Last week, EADS angrily pulled out of the race for the 35-billion-dollar (26-billion-euro) contract to supply 179 tanker planes, alleging the Pentagon had skewed its requirements to favour its US rival Germany's Daimler says it will continue current EADS investment arrangement</div><div><p>Germany's Daimler AG said Friday it doesn't plan to exercise an option to sell its sizable stake in aerospace and defense contractor EADS N.V....

Recession hurting cruise ship builders

2010-03-19T05:01:12Z

<div id="subtitle">Ship builders fear downsizing, or worse, if cruise companies don't order more vessels</div><div><p>The cruise industry is rebounding, but not for the companies who build the increasingly elaborate ships.</p><p>Executives from the major European shipyards say they're not getting enough orders to keep busy and profitable. Though cruise bookings and prices are up, a flood of new ships is crowding the market, and operators have shown little will...

US may extend tanker deadline to allow EADS bid

2010-03-18T16:16:23Z

<div><p>The Pentagon on Thursday said it might extend a deadline for bids for a new aerial refueling tanker after Airbus parent EADS signalled it could return to the competition.</p><p>After having been notified by EADS of its possible interest, the Defense Department "would consider...

EADS CEO looks to expand in US

2010-03-18T08:15:32Z

<div id="subtitle">EADS plans a 'medium-sized' acquisition in the US with view to more defense contracts</div><div><p>The CEO of European plane maker EADS said Thursday that his company is looking for a "medium-sized" acquisition in the U.S. following a failed bid for a $35 billion Pentagon contract.</p><p>EADS, the parent of Airbus, wants to grow its defense and security business, which it sees as less risky...

France, Germany unhappy over U.S. tanker deal

2010-03-16T11:00:47Z

<div><p>PARIS (Reuters) - The leaders of France and Germany said they would consult their EU partners over concerns that protectionism is at play in a big U.S. military tanker deal that looks set to go to <...

After tanker flop, Airbus pushes transporter in US

2010-03-15T07:30:15Z

<div id="subtitle">Airbus eyes US market for A400M after bid for Air Force refueling tanker turns up empty</div><div><p>Unbowed in its push into the lucrative U.S. defense market, Airbus said Monday it is aiming to sell about 210 of its much delayed A400M military airlifters to the United States.</p><p>The comments from Reuters) - Airbus parent EADS <EAD.PA> has received no word of any changes to a contest to supply aerial refueling tankers to the United States, the head of Airbus Military said on Monday. A source familiar with Pentagon thinking said on Friday the United States may extend a deadlin...

General Dynamics to win British army contract: FT

2010-03-13T10:15:26Z

<div><p>General Dynamics is the winner over BAE Systems in the race to build a new generation of armoured reconnaissance vehicles for the British army, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.</p><p>The contract for Scout vehicles is worth more than one...

General Dynamics 'to win army vehicle contract'

2010-03-13T10:15:20Z

U.S. setting bad example on protectionism: Sarkozy

2010-03-12T08:45:27Z

<div><p>LONDON (Reuters) - President Nicolas Sarkozy of France accused Washington on Friday of setting the wrong example on protectionism, suggesting there had not been a level playing field in the race for a $50 billion refueling plane contract.</p&g...

French president slams US decision on tanker jets

2010-03-12T08:15:48Z

<div><p>French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticised the United States on Friday over bidding rules for a tanker jet contract, saying it was not the way for Washington to treat its European allies.</p><p>British premier Gordon Brown added ...

US will drive tough bargain on tanker deal: Gates

2010-03-11T05:16:14Z

<div><p>US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday the Pentagon will drive a hard bargain with Boeing on a contract for a new aerial refuelling tanker after Airbus parent EADS dropped out of the competition.</p><p>"I wish that we had had a comp...

Gates regrets Northrop withdrawal from tanker bid

2010-03-11T03:00:10Z

<div id="subtitle">Defense secretary says he regrets Northrop withdrawal from bidding to build Air Force tanker</div><div><p>U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday he regrets that a major defense contractor has pulled out of the contest to build a badly needed new Air Force plane.</p><p>And he warned that the lone surviving bidder shouldn't expect to be able to pad the check.</p><p>...

EADS sees no financial hit from U.S. tanker loss

2010-03-11T00:16:23Z

<div><p>PARIS (Reuters) - The apparent loss this week of a U.S. in-flight refueling tanker contract worth up to $50 billion will not affect EADS's <EAD.PA> finances, the European aerospace group's chief executive said on Thursday.</p><p>On Monday EADS's U.S. partner Northrop Grumman <NOC.N> dr...

United makes firm order for 25 Airbus A350s

2010-03-10T13:16:04Z

<div id="subtitle">United Airlines signs firm order for 25 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft</div><div><p>United Airlines has made a firm order for 25 of Airbus' A350 extra-wide bodied jets, fulfilling a commitment signed in December, the European aircraft manufacturer said Wednesday.</p><p>Deliveries of...