Roadmap for Newly Merged Companies Debuting at Farnborough 2000

Even industry insiders may be hard-pressed to navigate through the host of newly merged companies and joint ventures in Europe, many of which will make their international debut at Farnborough 2000.

Foremost among these new entities will be the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS), formed by the merger of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Aerospatiale and Casa. The new company will exhibit under a single name with a single chalet and consolidated exhibit space.

Eurofighter, in which BAE Systems is partnered with EADS members Dasa and Casa and Italy's Alenia, will be present with development aircraft DA1 in the flying display, no fewer than two mockups, and the new widebody 20-seater Eurofighter simulator.

Finmeccanica/Alenia Aerospazio is expected to focus on its 5% stake in the Airbus Integrated Company and 10% share in the A3XX, as well as its newly concluded agreement with EADS on military aircraft. The Italian group is exhibiting the first C-27J Spartan medium airlifter developed by Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems, as well as the maritime patrol ATR 42MP, a derivative of the 44-seat ATR 42 regional twin turboprop.

Europe's many mergers haven't dented demand for Farnborough exhibition space. While the number of exhibitors is running slightly behind that of 1998, the amount of exhibit space has grown 13%, and the organizers have had to turn away exhibitors for lack of space.

"The new large companies want to occupy a lot of space in order to make major statements," said David Marshall, director general of the Society of British Aerospace Companies. "Consolidation hasn't worked against us."

Boeing is at Farnborough in force, showing the breadth of its capability from Joint Strike Fighter to Delta launch vehicles, satellites and space communications, attack helicopters, the latest Boeing 767-400 airliner with its new 777-style interior, and the Boeing Business Jet.

Boeing's also using the show to launch its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet on the export market with the first international appearance of the aircraft.

Mock-ups from the two contenders vying for the Joint Strike Fighter-Boeing and the team of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems-are on show for the first time too.

Dassault Aviation is focusing on business jets, with a Falcon 2000 twinjet and the long range 900EX. But its fighters-the Mirage 2000 and Rafale-are staying at home while a question mark hangs over the future of the company. EADS, which now owns 46% of Dassault through Aerospatiale Matra's stake, would like to have Dassault as a member of the military aircraft joint venture it is establishing with Finmecannica's Alenia, but Serge Dassault has been less than enthusiastic.

BAE Systems, both EADS biggest rival and most important partner, is exhibiting be exhibiting for the first time in the UK in its new incarnation after acquiring Marconi Electronic Systems. It is using the event to show off its extraordinary range of capabilities, from microchips to building aircraft carriers.

Saab, which is 35% owned by BAE Systems, will display two Gripen fighters.

Another new entity debuting at Farnborough will be Thomson Racal Defense, which combines the newly acquired Racal Electronics and Thomson-CSF's other defense businesses in the UK. That merger is expected to be signed before the show.

GKN Westland Helicopters and Finmeccanica's Agusta are expected to soon seal their deal to create a new helicopter joint venture to rival Eurocopter and U.S. manufacturers. They will exhibit jointly at Farnborough with the Mk3 Merlin, a derivative of the jointly developed EH101, as well as the WAH-64 Apache attack helicopter and the twin-engine A109. Their new company could be formed before the end of the year.

Regional aircraft manufacturers are expected to continue their battle for market share at Farnborough with Bombardier, Embraer and Fairchild Dornier on hand with a raft of products. Bombardier will bring its CRJ700 for the first time and have several aircraft available for customer demonstrations, including a Global Express and a Dash 8-Q400.

Embraer will have its ERJ-140 at Farnborough for the first time, as well as an ERJ-135 and an ERJ-145. Fairchild Dornier, meanwhile, is scheduled to bring two of its 328JETs. Gulfstream will bring a Gulfstream V and a Gulfstream IV-SP. The U.S. company will also be demonstrating its military EC-37SM multi-mission aircraft concept.