What emerges is a picture of an industry on divergent trajectories. For the large commercial aircraft sector, 2013 will see order-taking moderate, but production rates increase to record levels. The year will also see the first flights of key new aircraft: the Airbus A350, Bombardier CSeries and Mitsubishi MRJ. Business aviation remains flat, but the rotorcraft sector is rebounding.
For the defense and security sector, 2013 will see lower spending globally and a focus on squeezing more out of existing platforms. Progress on developing the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be crucial, with the international partners increasingly concerned about escalating costs. For the space sector, the hope is 2013 will see solid backing for the fledgling transition to commercial from government launch services. Commercial suborbital passenger flights are also expected to begin by year-end.
Aerospace 2013 has been prepared with analysis and data from Forecast International Inc. in Newtown, Conn. For more comprehensive market information, visit www.forecastinternational.com Contact Ray Peterson, vice president for research and editorial services, at +1 (203) 426-0800, or e-mail him at ray.peterson@forecastinternational1.com
Key Intel
DEFENSE: Global hotspots and country-by-country analyses of national priorities and programs. See pp. 52-69.
MILITARY AIRCRAFT: F-35 delays and costs keep market hopes alive for other combat-aircraft makers. Market for military transports looks increasingly crowded. See pp. 70 and 75.
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT: Military demand cooling off, but still growing as civil market begins a slow takeoff. See p. 80.
AIR TRANSPORT: Region-by-region analyses of commercial aviation developments. Carriers adjust to depressed demand for air cargo. Crucial year ahead for airspace modernization. See pp. 105-114, 115, 117.
COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT: As order-taking slows, but production ramps up, manufacturers and suppliers are challenged by simultaneous development of new, derivative and re-engined aircraft. See p. 100.
MRO: Detailed forecasts for narrowbody, widebody, engine, landing gear, avionics and components maintenance, repair and overhaul. See pp. 120-136.