Aerospace Industries Association
Nation’s Employers Commit to Building a Stronger U.S. Workforce
Today a group of organizations representing business and industry, large and small, announced they will join forces to address the growing challenges for America’s future workforce. The Business and Industry STEM Coalition announced its commitment to doubling the number of graduates with a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) to 400,000 from 200,000 by 2020.
More than 40 business and industry organizations representing more than 20 million employees have joined together to address the challenges for America’s workforce through a number of actions. They include developing an inventory of employment skills needed by business over the next 10 years, engaging employers to promote game-changing STEM programs in all 50 states and improving attitudes of the general public toward STEM professionals.
The business community is joined by advisory members from the federal Defense, Education and Homeland Security departments, which also face shortages of highly-skilled tech workers.
“This is an unprecedented coalition of employers,” said Richard Stephens, a senior official at Boeing and a founding member of the group. “We strongly believe that we need to take aggressive and unified steps together in order to ensure that in 2020 our workforce is prepared to keep our nation strong and competitive.”
The U.S. workforce of 2020 is in trouble as current statistics show that students are falling behind. For example, the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress math tests found that fourth graders showed no signs of progress for the first time in many years, and eighth graders showed modest progress. Internationally, the 2006 Programme for International Student Assessment, which is the latest data available, found that American students ranked 21st out of 30 in science literacy and 25th out of 30 in math literacy.
Honored at today’s event were Representatives Bart Gordon, chair of the House Science & Technology Committee and Representative Vern Ehlers, ranking member of the Research & Science Education Committee, for their strong support of and commitment to science, engineering and math education.
For more information about the Coalition, contact Daphne Dador at daphne.dador@aia-aerospace.org or Britt Bommelje at bbommelje@ndia.org and learn more on the web.
Members
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Current Membership Advanced Medical Technology Association Aerospace Industries Association Aerospace States Association Air Force Association American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists American Chemical Society American Chemistry Council American Institute for Aeronautics & Astronautics Associated General Contractors of America Association for Enterprise Information Biotechnology Institute Business Roundtable Business-Higher Education Forum California Space Education Network Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors Center for Energy Workforce Development Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress Council on Competitiveness Entertainment Industries Council Information Technology Industry Council Institute for a Competitive Workforce Manufacturing Institute National Academy of Engineering |
National Association of Broadcasters National Association of Manufacturers National Cable & Telecommunications Association National Defense Industrial Association National Governors Association National Training & Simulation Association Northern Virginia Technology Council Precision Strike Association SAE International Society for Manufacturing Engineers Software Engineering Institute Software Entertainment Association Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM TechAmerica Triangle Coalition U.S. Chamber of Commerce Women in Aerospace Women in Defense Advisory Members: Corporation for National Community Service National Aeronautics & Space Administration National Science Foundation U.S. Department of Defense, DDR&E U.S. Department of Defense, NSSO U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Department of Labor |
Business and Industry STEM Education Coalition
Sypris Awarded $6 Million in F-16 Follow-On Orders
Sypris Electronics, a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions, Inc., announced today that it has been awarded an estimated $6 million in follow-on orders by Honeywell International, Inc., Defense and Space Electronic Systems located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to produce electronic assemblies for the F-16 Digital Flight Control Computer (DFLCC).
The flight-critical DFLCC is a quadruple redundant computer at the core of the fly-by-wire flight control system for the F-16. The DFLCC combines pilot inputs along with aircraft motion and flight conditions to command position of the flight control surfaces for increased aircraft performance and survivability. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, first introduced in 1978, is a lightweight, multi-role fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed Martin. This award will support the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force base located in northern Utah and their initiative of maintaining the F-16 fleet.
“We are pleased to continue to support Honeywell on the DFLCC program as well as other defense contracts,” said John Walsh, President of Sypris Electronics. “We are gaining traction as one of the premier end-to-end manufacturing services providers in the aerospace and defense communities. Sypris Electronics is uniquely qualified to perform full-spectrum manufacturing support from product concept and design through manufacturing and depot.”
Sypris Electronics is a world-class, integrated systems solutions provider. Our ruggedized electronic products, advanced engineering services and complete electronic manufacturing capabilities are aligned to provide our customers the best people, practices and technologies to continually exceed expectations. We consistently promote an agile, innovative culture by strategically partnering with leading-edge technology companies, agencies and universities. With over 40 years of experience, Sypris Electronics is proud to develop, manufacture and integrate leading technologies into mission critical electronics systems that secure America’s interest. Visit www.sypriselectronics.com for additional company information.
Statement on the Administration’s National Export Initiative
President Obama’s remarks today on the National Export Initiative and the agenda for export control modernization together signal his commitment to protect our national security while strengthening U.S. exports. In today’s intensely competitive global economy, American economic leadership is increasingly at risk.
AIA is pleased that Jim McNerney, President and CEO of The Boeing Company, has been selected to chair the President’s Export Council. The aerospace industry accounts for the largest trade surplus of any manufacturing sector in the United States and directly employs more than 600,000 workers. From small supplier companies to our large multinational corporations, our industry enhances American trade competiveness around the globe. Expansion of Export-Import Bank activity is particularly crucial to the entire U.S. civil aviation supply chain, as the vast majority of our products are sold into overseas markets
Meanwhile, the Administration’s priorities for export control modernization include a measure to reconcile different standards regarding classification of “dual national” importers by place of birth or current citizenship. Developing a new standard that maintains the highest focus on security while allowing for critical trade and technical cooperation with our closest allies is a long-standing priority for the aerospace industry.
The Administration’s National Export Initiative and commitment to modernize our export control system clearly demonstrate the President’s interest in supporting the U.S. aerospace and defense industry. AIA looks forward to working with the Administration to support these initiatives.
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Statement on the U.S.-Turkish Alliance
Critical national security, economic and diplomatic relations with our ally Turkey are threatened by yesterday’s House Foreign Relations Committee vote approving the resolution condemning Turkey for the Armenian genocide that took place 95 years ago.
Turkey and the United States have important and long-standing strategic and economic ties. Turkey is a strong democracy, a fellow member of NATO and a critical partner in the war against terrorists. Turkey plays an important role in America’s recovery as we anticipate more than $11 billion in potential defense and aerospace sales to Turkey this year providing nearly 70,000 American jobs.
While no one supports the events that led to this resolution, we believe it is not the best use of congressional energy when our nation’s economy is suffering, and Turkey is supporting our efforts in Afghanistan. We’re urging President Obama and the Speaker of the House to ensure that the resolution doesn’t go to the House floor for a vote. There is simply too much at stake.
Sypris Wins Orders for Joint Strike Fighter Program
Sypris Electronics, LLC, a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions, Inc., announced today that it has been awarded follow-on orders from Northrop Grumman Information Systems to provide electronic assemblies for the communications, navigation and identification (CNI) avionics system on Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program. These additional orders bring the program total to approximately $10 million since the Company’s initial award in 2005.
Sypris Electronics is providing assemblies for the CNI Avionics Interface Controller (two per aircraft) and CNI Processor (five per aircraft), each of which serve as critical communications modules in the avionics suite. The Northrop Grumman avionics system is built on software-defined radio technology that provides F-35 pilots with the consolidated capabilities of more than 40 avionics subsystems.
The F-35 is a supersonic, multirole, 5th generation stealth fighter. Three F-35 variants derived from a common design, developed together and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide, will replace at least 13 types of aircraft for nine nations initially, making the Lightning II the most cost-effective fighter program in history.
“Sypris Electronics is proud to be a key supplier to and partner of Northrop Grumman on the CNI next-generation avionics system supporting the multi-billion dollar, multi-national Joint Strike Fighter program,” John Walsh, President of Sypris Electronics. “Our proven expertise in designing, developing and manufacturing secure communications and situational awareness technologies for the Department of Defense and Prime communities continues to play an important role in our Nation’s security.”
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Sypris Electronics is a world-class, integrated systems solutions provider. Our ruggedized electronic products, advanced engineering services and complete electronic manufacturing capabilities are aligned to provide our customers the best people, practices and technologies to continually exceed expectations. We consistently promote an agile, innovative culture by strategically partnering with leading-edge technology companies, agencies and universities. With over 40 years of experience, Sypris Electronics is proud to develop, manufacture and integrate leading technologies into mission critical electronics systems that secure America’s interest. Visit www.sypriselectronics.com for additional company information.
Facts in Focus
- For the first time since 2003, aerospace employment is forecast to fall in 2009, to 641,100 from 657,100 workers. Despite the setback, aerospace employment is faring better than most other industries.
- 39 percent of the aerospace workforce is between the ages of 35 and 49 and 38 percent of the workforce is over the age of 50. A recent Aviation Week survey reported that 13 percent of the aerospace workforce in 2008 was eligible for retirement, representing more than 82,000 people.
- A number of AIA member companies report that within 10 years half of their workforce will be eligible for retirement, underscoring the need for action and for industry collaboration.
- The latest national test scores show that in math fourth graders are 62 percent below proficient and eight graders are 69 percent below proficient. In science, fourth graders are 68 below proficient and eight graders are 73 percent below proficient. (Source: National Assessment of Education Progress, U.S. Dept. of Ed. 2007)
- The latest international PISA test shows that our 15-year olds rank 21 out of 30 in science and 25 out of 30 in math. (Source: Program for International Student Assessment, 2006).
- Another international test, the TMSS, found that in math our fourth graders rank 11th and in science rank 8th. Our eighth graders rank 9th in math and 11th in science. (Source: Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, 2007.) While this is an improvement over our 15 year-olds, we all agree that we don’t want our young people to be in the middle of the pack.
- Aerospace had shed some 704,700 jobs – more than 52 percent -- since its 1989 peak of 1.3 million.
- A total of 86,100 workers, or 13 percent of the aerospace workforce lost their jobs between the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and February 2004. (AIA/BLS)
- The aerospace workforce is aging and 26 to 27 percent of aerospace workers are eligible to retire by 2008. (Aerospace Commission)
- The average age of the aerospace worker was 45 in 2006. (AWST)
- Only 15.7% of the aerospace workforce is composed of 25-34 year olds. Nearly 60% of the workforce is 45 years and older (AIA).
- In a survey of 500 U.S. aerospace workers, 80 percent said they would not recommend their children pursue aerospace careers due to workplace instability. (Aerospace Commission)
- Aerospace engineers are expected to have 10 percent growth in employment through 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations (BLS, 2008) Aerospace engineering and operations technicians are expected to have 10 percent employment growth between 2006 and 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations (BLS, 2008)
- By 12th grade, U.S. high school students' math and science performance ranks near the bottom internationally. A shortage of math and science teachers compounds the problem as do fewer engineering and science students earning degrees – from undergraduate to doctorate – at U.S. colleges and universities. (Aerospace Commission)
- A total of 50 percent of students now earning engineering and science doctorates are foreign and often return to their native countries or cannot work on sensitive defense programs. (Aerospace Commission, NSF)
- Approximately 68.5 percent of US middle school students were taught by math educators who had no major or certification in mathematics. For science, the proportion was 57.2 percent. (DoED)
- In a recent survey of more than 270,000 college freshmen, only 7.5% said they intended to major in engineering -- the lowest level since the 1970s. (UCLA)
Revitalization of the Aerospace Workforce
A highly skilled and robust aerospace workforce is essential to our national security and economic prosperity. Yet today the industry faces impending retirements and a shortage of trained technical graduates, which is a situation that is forecasted to worsen within the decade. Some companies address this issue by outsourcing work around the globe. In aerospace and defense, however, security requirements dictate that most design work on military systems must be done by U.S. citizens. Thus the need for U.S. developed technical talent is particularly acute to ensure a world-class aerospace workforce ready to lead in a global economy.
The Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry recommended "that the nation immediately reverse the decline in and promote the growth of a scientifically and technologically trained U.S. aerospace workforce..." adding that "the breakdown of America's intellectual and industrial capacity is a threat to national security and our capability to continue as a world leader." The Commission also recommended that resolving the crisis will require government, industry, labor and academia to work together.
AIA is urging Congress, industry trade associations, education institutions, and other stakeholders to acknowledge the need to develop a highly-skilled and robust aerospace workforce and to demonstrate a willingness to address these issues through policy, programs and investment.
As an industry, AIA and its member companies are facing this issue through engaging education and workforce development programs, supporting initiatives that improve our nation’s education and innovation systems, and campaigning to raise awareness of our workforce needs and opportunities.
Workforce
Calendar
January 5-7, 2010
Knoxville, TN
PERM
January 26-28, 2010
Kauai, Hawaii
SMTA Pan Pacific Conference
February 8-11, 2010
Los Angeles, CA
CMSE (Components for Military and Space Electronics)
February 14-18, 2010
Seattle, WA
TMS Annual Meeting (lead-free section)
March 24 - 25, 2010
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Avionics Europe 2010
April 6-8, 2010
Las Vegas, NV
IPC Apex/Expo
May 10-13, 2010
Austin, TX
Aircraft Airworthiness and Sustainment 2010
May 26-27, 2010
Tsukuba City, Japan
PERM Consortium
June 3-4, 2010
San Diego, CA
Military & Aerospace Electronics Forum
June 1-4, 2010
Las Vegas, NV
ECTC
Members
To login to the Members Only section, click Login at the top of the screen. This will allow access to meeting agendas, presentations and PERM Consortium contact information.
Southeastern Regional Meeting
Manager, Research
Purpose:
To support the Director of Research with the design and execution of a wide variety of research projects, including detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis of the national and international aerospace industry. The position also provides statistical management services for the Association, which involves collecting, processing, and disseminating accurate, consistent, and timely data to Association members, the news media, and the general public.
AIA represents the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, space systems, helicopters, as well as other aerospace products and services. For additional information, please visit: http://www.aia-aerospace.org/.
Summary of Position:
The Research Manager contributes to all activities undertaken by the Research Department, under the guidance of the Research Director. Projects typically involve quantitative analysis related to the U.S. and foreign aerospace markets. Topics frequently examined include industry indicators such as international trade, aircraft production, financial considerations, employment, and policy and regulatory matters. While the majority of projects are quantitative in nature, many involve preparing written reports, briefs, and position papers. Consequently, strong writing skills are also required.
This position is ideally suited for the candidate seeking to gain a few years of industry experience before pursuing an advanced degree. AIA’s workday schedule is fairly consistent and predictable, but high-priority requests occasionally require some flexibility in availability. AIA is committed to providing employees with professional experience, and significant responsibility that expands with experience.
Nature and Scope of Work:
Primary Activities:
- Responds to queries from AIA staff, member companies, government staff, journalists, financial analysts, consultants, academics, and other research organizations. These range from quick turn-around questions, to highly specific requests that require extensive research.
- Provides factual material to support congressional testimony, speeches, or other presentations delivered by the president or other AIA staff. Reviews presentations, issue statements, and press releases for statistical accuracy and clarity.
- Compiles and maintains an authoritative library of current and historical aerospace statistics and other reference information; and cultivates a network of industry and government contacts.
- Contributes to the preparation of Aerospace Facts and Figures, a statistical handbook used worldwide as the authoritative compendium of U.S. aerospace industry data. Reviews content for relevance, and may add or delete material in response to shifting interests and data availability.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Designs and maintains AIA databases; this frequently involves use of Microsoft Excel and Access. Extracts and compiles a broad range of data from a variety of written sources, personal contacts, and/or electronic databases;
- Produces visual materials for research reports, presentations, and publication (Excel charts and graphs, and PowerPoint slide shows);
- Summarizes, revises, or interprets complex or specialized literature for general audiences ; proofreads material for publication;
- Conducts surveys as directed and requested by AIA staff: develops and distributes questionnaires, follows -up to enhance data sample, clarifies and tabulates responses, and, when necessary, prepares accompanying written summary.
Future arriving at PHL: Air traffic control technology could mark a revolution in travel efficiency
In the next few days, something will happen at Philadelphia International Airport that will go largely unnoticed. Yet it will ultimately spark a revolution in air traffic management, leading to safer, more efficient air travel in Philadelphia and the rest of the nation.
It starts with a revolutionary technology, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, or ADS-B, which is a cornerstone of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, known as NextGen. Once ADS-B becomes operational in the coming days, ground controllers will be able to use the satellite-based GPS system to monitor and separate aircraft in Philadelphia's airspace.
Read more at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Air Shows Launch 2010
AIA had an active two months on the international air show circuit, with AIA supporting U.S. companies, government officials, military personnel and more than 20 different aircraft participating in the Bahrain, Morocco and Singapore air shows.
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Carl Burleson, FAA; Richard Altman, CAAFI; Marion C. Blakey, AIA; John Heimlich, ATA at ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards |
AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey led the AIA team in Singapore, beginning with her participation in the International Air Transport Association Aviation Leadership Summit Jan. 31-Feb. 1. In front of an audience of chief executives of the world’s major airlines, Blakey outlined the contribution of aviation manufacturers to environmental stewardship and highlighted AIA’s advocacy for NextGen funding as a means of achieving significant reductions in CO2 emissions. Blakey also took the stage with other supporters of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative, which was honored at the Air Transport World Awards Dinner.
The Singapore Air Show itself was no less active, with AIA staff supporting the opening of the U.S. pavilion, co-hosting the U.S. exhibitors reception, participating in a seminar on the status of and prospects for ADS-B technology roll-out in the Asia-Pacific region and organizing luncheon dialogues with senior DOD and Commerce officials for AIA members.
Summing up, Blakey commented, “The IATA conference and Singapore Air Show provided a good opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from around the world and was a perfect venue to address many of the common challenges our industry faces. I was delighted to see such a strong turnout of AIA members, and I look forward to the same at the Farnborough Air Show in July.”
AIA Source: remy.nathan[at]aia-aerospace.org
Operationally Responsive Space: An AIA Priority
AIA has released a new white paper in support of Operationally Responsive Space small launch vehicle acquisition and space industrial base health.
In the brief, AIA argues for ORS strategies that ensure support for the U.S. warfighter, promote competition and help strengthen the U.S. space industrial base. For years, AIA has led advocacy efforts to support the ORS effort to develop rapid and responsive space support for military operations. ORS is an important new initiative that aims to rapidly deploy spacecraft designed to assist urgent warfighter needs.
AIA also has been an outspoken advocate for maintaining U.S. defense industrial base health. AIA’s June 2009 report, The Unseen Cost: Industrial Base Consequences of Defense Strategy Choices, cited the critical role space systems play in U.S. national security. The report stressed that maintaining technological dominance requires a strong partnership between industry and government.
In order to support industrial base health and a space industry that is able to continue to supply new and innovative space transportation assets, both the 2005 U.S. Space Transportation Policy and 1998 Commercial Space Act contain language to limit U.S. overreliance on excess ballistic missiles for space transportation. Yet, since the late 1990s, the U.S. industrial base for solid rocket motor propulsion has shrunk from five manufacturers to just two and only one new U.S. entrant has emerged as a provider of space launch services.
This unique situation makes it all the more imperative that overreliance on excess missile assets be limited, and healthy competition and involvement by industry be allowed in critical ORS launch initiatives. While excess intercontinental ballistic missile assets have been used to launch ORS satellites in recent years, the U.S. should not restrict launch options for the ORS effort – especially if development of new small launch assets could provide needed support to the warfighter and the space industrial base.
ORS seeks to provide troops in isolated regions such as Afghanistan with space-based assets for intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance. In order to refine the innovative capabilities called for by the ORS initiative, it will be important to maintain healthy competition in the satellite and launch sectors.
Issue Paper: Operationally Responsive Space: Industry Imperatives for Small Launch Vehicle Acquisition
AIA Source: mike.conschafter[at]aia-aerospace.org
AIA Comments on TSA’s Repair Station Security Plans
AIA submitted industry comments to the Transportation Security Administration on the proposed rulemaking for repair station security published in November.
As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act enacted in 2003, TSA has been under a congressional mandate to issue rules for the security of aircraft repair stations. In addition, passage of the 9/11 Commission Act in 2007 established a moratorium on the certification of new foreign repair facilities if TSA failed to pass a final rule by Aug. 3, 2008. Consequently, the aerospace industry faces unknown delays in opening new foreign repair facilities due to the moratorium.
In the comments, AIA stresses the need to promulgate a rule in a timely manner while continuing to coordinate with FAA and industry to produce a final rule consistent with the realities of operating repair stations.
AIA would also like to see TSA work with Congress and the FAA to recognize Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements. The agreements allow each country’s approved maintenance organization to perform work without having additional certification from the other country.
AIA’s comments to the TSA are available on the AIA web site at http://www.aia-aerospace.org/assets/aia_tsa_2004_17131.pdf.
AIA Source: ranee.carr[at]aia-aerospace.org
Acquisition Reform: The Never-Ending Story
When President Obama and his team came in to office, one of the first areas of emphasis by the new Administration was acquisition reform. The President issued a “Memorandum on Government Contracting,” calling on federal agencies to improve the effectiveness of their acquisition practices and the results achieved from their contracts.
In the first months of 2009, Congress passed the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act that primarily focused on upfront planning so that programs would be based on a better understanding of cost, schedule and performance. Many of the ideas in WSARA were proposed by AIA in its report U.S. Defense Acquisition: An Agenda for Positive Reform. That report described, for example, the need for better cost estimating and stability in requirements.
The release of the Quadrennial Defense Review at the end of January demonstrated that we are not done yet with acquisition reform. The QDR includes a section that discusses reforming how DOD buys. That section indicates that DOD will turn its focus from the front end of the acquisition process addressed in WSARA to improving program execution and performance.
The acquisition report includes several recommendations for improving program execution. Among these are broader use of multi-year procurements, stable government funding for programs and use of contract types based on program risk.
The House Armed Services Committee Panel on Acquisition Reform held a series of hearings in 2009 to gain a better understanding of the root causes of DOD’s acquisition challenges in order to generate suggestions to effect real reform. We are expecting additional legislation to emerge from the House panel as a complement to WSARA. AIA joined with associations who participate in the Acquisition Reform Working Group to propose actions that the panel could take on issues such as maintaining a healthy industrial base, government access to commercial technologies, products and practices, and fixed-price development contracting. AIA is actively reaching out to government officials to advocate for sensible acquisition reform by arranging meetings for our members with DOD officials at all levels.
AIA has set for itself a target in 2010 to achieve a streamlined and efficient acquisition process that does not impose unnecessary administrative burdens on contractors or government contracting officers. Working through the Procurement and Finance Council and its committees, we will aggressively pursue not just acquisition reform, but the kind of reforms that promote competitiveness and efficiency in the aerospace and defense industry while providing reasonable returns for good performance.
AIA Source: richard.sylvester[at]aia-aersopace.org
STEMming An Adverse Tide
Rick Stephens, chair of AIA’s Workforce Steering Committee, testified before Congress on ways to improve the higher education system to increase the number of STEM graduates.
The early February hearing by the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education focused on examining the current state of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in U.S. colleges and universities.
Testifying on behalf of AIA, Stephens outlined proposals for strengthening undergraduate and graduate education in the STEM fields to help students stay in these fields and gain work-ready skills. Among the proposals are encouraging and expanding retention programs for undergraduates, increasing the pool of well-qualified primary and secondary teachers in STEM disciplines and motivating pursuit of STEM careers through enhanced support of programs that provide hands-on experience.
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Rick Stephens, The Boeing Company |
In his testimony, Stephens also highlighted the challenges facing the U.S. defense industrial base as it seeks to replenish the workforce in the near future with thousands of engineers.
“These are becoming difficult jobs to fill, not because there is a labor shortage but because there is a skills shortage,” Stephens said. “Our industry needs more innovative young scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians to replace baby boomers as they retire.”
Stephens, Boeing’s senior vice president for human resources and administration, chairs the AIA Workforce Steering Committee, which is actively examining ways that the aerospace industry can strategically address STEM education, including coordination of STEM efforts within the industry and with other industries such as information technology and health.
AIA interview with Rick Stephens (mp3 format)
Written Testimony (pdf format)
AIA Source: daphne.dador[at]aia-aerospace.org
The Fiscal 2011 Budget Process Begins
On Feb. 1, the President sent his fiscal 2011 budget request to Congress. Here are some of the highlights:
Defense Budget Request
AIA has been very aggressive in advocating for a real increase in the defense budget and in the critical procurement account. The fiscal 2011 budget request for the Defense Department is a reasonable target that takes into account the very real demands that two ongoing wars make on our troops and the equipment that supports them. Even in today’s budget-reduction climate, it is extremely important that our nation stands firm behind those obligations. We are very pleased that the President and his defense advisors agree and have requested in a time of fiscal challenge a budget increase. If this budget is appropriated, the Pentagon will get a total of $708 billion for fiscal 2011. That includes a war supplemental of $159 billion. The requested base budget amount of $549 billion for fiscal 2011 is an increase of 3.4 percent over the fiscal 2010 enacted level. The request places the budget in excess of the four percent baseline of GDP that we have established as the minimum to maintain our national security.
Over the long term, we need to be especially mindful about maintaining and modernizing the equipment that gives our men and women in uniform the technological dominance they require on the battlefield of tomorrow as well as today. Recognizing that fact, the President's budget requests $112.9 billion for procurement of equipment, including aerospace weapons. That is an increase of 7.7 percent over the procurement funds appropriated for fiscal 2010.
Both the budget request and the Quadrennial Defense Review continue efforts to reform how DOD buys goods and services, with an emphasis on creating stability in requirements and cost. We’re looking forward to working with the Department to create a more effective and efficient delivery of logistical support to our troops. This will continue our joint efforts for positive reform.
AIA Source: fred.downey[at]aia-aerospace.org
FAA Budget Request
The FAA budget included an impressive 30 percent increase in NextGen funding over 2010 levels. The $1.14 billion for NextGen programs is enough to keep FAA on its current 2025 implementation schedule, but it is not enough to accomplish the Administration’s goal of accelerating the program. A critical step in accelerating implementation is equipping aircraft to take full advantage of the benefits of the NextGen system. Under the current FAA schedule, if additional funding is not made available to encourage the equipage of aircraft, the federal government will have completed and spent almost $2 billion by 2013 on the ground infrastructure for the ADS-B program, but neither the traveling public nor air carriers will realize the benefits of this investment before 2020.
AIA Source: brian.elson[at]aia-aerospace.org
Space Budget Request
The NASA budget saw an increase of 1.5 percent rising to $19 billion with increases to Science, Aeronautics and Exploration. The Space Operations budget, which includes the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, declined, reflecting the upcoming retirement of the Space Shuttle. The budget request for NASA increases to a total of $100 billion between 2011 and 2015.
NASA has made a major shift in strategy and goals, with the Administration canceling the Constellation program designed to return Americans to the moon, including the Orion spacecraft and Ares 1 rocket under development. Funding will be focused on a variety of R&D and technology development projects and modernizing the Kennedy Space Center. NASA also followed an option put forth by last year’s Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans that recommends helping to foster development of commercial launch and spacecraft systems. Such systems can provide crew and cargo transportation to the International Space Station, which the United States has committed to extending until at least 2020.
NOAA’s budget saw a 12 percent increase to $5.5 billion with an increase of more than $800 million towards the National Environmental Satellite, Data, & Information Service; procurement for satellite systems, including the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System; and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites programs.
The Air Force announced a more than $200 million increase in funding for space situational awareness. The increase is strongly supported by AIA as it seeks to augment efforts to track objects in space. As the space environment becomes increasingly crowded, it is necessary for the U.S. to improve its ability to monitor events in space and reduce the vulnerability of space systems and supporting infrastructure.
In addition, the Missile Defense Agency received a $600 million boost over its fiscal 2010 request as the Administration seeks to develop new architecture for ballistic missile defense.
AIA Source: andrew.barber[at]aia-aerospace.org
The Globe As Crystal Ball
Around the globe, aircraft manufacturers share a similar trajectory. Demand for aircraft is driven by the number of airline tickets sold and the amount of air cargo shipped, which in turn are driven by the health of the overall economy. Lately, the global economy has been a bit under the weather. However, the consensus is that it’s on the mend. Coming into 2010, signs of stabilization were readily apparent. For example, the International Air Transport Association reported improvements in the air freight business. This bodes well for the overall aircraft industry as air cargo growth typically leads economic and passenger traffic growth by three to six months. Looking forward, 2010 may well be a year of global economic recovery and 2011 a year when airlines move to profitability. Demand for aircraft is expected to improve in 2012.
Despite early signs of a recovery in the global aerospace industry, the economic environment remains difficult. In the United States, Boeing reports that civilian aircraft deliveries are likely to fall to between 460 and 465 airplanes in 2010. This is down from 481 in 2009, which itself was a weak year for Boeing with 270 orders deferred and 120 cancelled. Even so, the firm reports the number of delivery deferrals for its airliners has slowed recently, another indication that the market may be stabilizing.
Airbus, like its U.S. rival Boeing, had a difficult 2009 as carriers and air cargo operators saw a decline in business due to the global recession. Unlike its U.S. rival, the European manufacturer has also had to contend with less than favorable currency exchange rates. Worldwide aircraft sales are priced in U.S. dollars, so when the local currency strengthens relative to the dollar – as the euro has – real revenue decreases. The bottom line has also been hit because, with the drop in demand due to the economic downturn, airlines are able to negotiate better deals, compelling Airbus to lower prices for its jets. The good news is that the company is reporting signs of recovery in air freight demand and expects a recovery in total passenger traffic volume by 2010.
Bombardier, based in Canada and the world’s third-largest civil aircraft maker, reports similar market conditions and market experiences as those encountered by manufacturers in the EU and United States. The market for Bombardier aircraft was extremely challenging in 2009 and the firm expects that this scenario will likely continue into the near term as economic uncertainty continues. Deliveries and orders fell over the most recent fiscal year, reflecting the significantly reduced demand for commercial aircraft. Consistent with the conditions encountered by its competitors around the world, Bombardier reports that the business aircraft market is still experiencing difficulties due to a lack of customer financing. But there are signs of stabilization. Net orders for business aircraft, the company’s most profitable segment, recently returned to a positive position for the first time in a year.
AIA Source: william.chadwick[at]aia-aerospace.org
March 2010 Viewpoint
QDR 2010: A Roadmap for National Defense
By Marion C. Blakey
In February, the Obama Administration released its 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, the fourth such review since its inception in 1996. The goal of the QDR is to provide a comprehensive examination of the defense strategy, force structure, force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan and other elements of the defense program and policies with a view toward determining the defense strategy of the United States for the next 20 years.
The 2010 QDR described in this way the complex environment in which the U.S. Armed Forces find themselves today: “The rise of new powers, the growing influence of non-state actors, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and other destructive enabling technologies and a series of enduring and emerging trends pose profound challenges to the international order.” Heavily focused on existing operations and the threat of non-state actors such as the Taliban, the QDR also examined changing geopolitical realities.
The QDR achieved its goal on a number of fronts. Most notable was inclusion of the defense industrial base considerations for the first time. The nation requires a consistent, realistic and long-term strategy for shaping the structure and the capabilities of the defense industrial base. As we noted in AIA's study last year, the Pentagon has followed a largely hands-off approach for decades. The QDR agreed with the conclusion in our study that changing that approach will require a policy and a long-term partnership to ensure that industry, and its highly skilled workforce, can meet the materiel needs of the armed forces in the years to come.
Another important area of consideration in the QDR is the essential role that space systems play in national security. While more insight into DOD’s space policies is expected in the upcoming “Space Posture Review,” the QDR did cite the need to “assure access to space and the use of space assets.” Of particular note, the QDR mentions that increased investments in space situational awareness are needed. AIA has been a strong supporter of increasing our nation’s space situational awareness capability – the ability to track orbiting objects so as to keep our satellites safe from collision. As the space environment becomes increasingly crowded and congested, it is absolutely necessary for the U.S. to enhance its ability to gain greater understanding of events in space and reduce the vulnerability of space systems and their supporting infrastructure.
In the area of acquisition, the QDR broadly defines acquisition reform to include requirements, workforce and support, as well as the traditional discussion of development and manufacturing. Maintaining process integrity, improving cost estimation and program execution are all reforms that industry supports as DOD moves forward. We agree with the QDR that stable requirements and the use of mature technologies are critical to reducing cost growth. We also agree with the emphasis on improving the acquisition workforce and are pleased to see that the Pentagon is increasing its attention to these matters.
While the QDR was on target when it comes to industrial base, space and acquisition, we are concerned about three areas. First, many of the aerospace capabilities needed to overmatch potential adversaries and to execute long-duration campaigns will be increasingly complex and expensive. It is not clear that the QDR gives this sufficient emphasis and anticipates resource requirements.
This ties in with another critical area: the creation of a more robust research and development program that could maintain scarce aerospace skills while driving advanced technologies to maturity. This would help funnel mature technologies into system integration manufacturing.
Finally, another area which we believe merits attention is the budget process. The QDR would be more useful if it had provided investment guidance. That kind of guidance would promote budget stability for programs and decrease cost growth that occurs with fluctuating funding profiles.
The challenges as well as the opportunities facing the United States are immense, the QDR concludes. As a nation, we must carefully navigate the challenges of today while anticipating those facing future generations. Preparing our armed forces for that future is one of the most important responsibilities placed upon us. Congress mandated the QDR process with this responsibility in mind and we believe this, the fourth QDR, provides the long-term roadmap for the Congress to make the funding and policy decisions that will ensure our nation’s security.
Wireless Version
QDR 2010: A Roadmap for National Defense
By Marion C. Blakey - In February, the Obama Administration released its 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, the fourth such review since its inception in 1996. The goal of the QDR is to provide a comprehensive examination of the defense strategy, force structure, force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan and other elements of the defense program and policies with a view toward determining the defense strategy of the United States for the next 20 years.
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The Fiscal 2011 Budget Process Begins
On Feb. 1, the President sent his fiscal 2011 budget request to Congress. Here are some of the highlights.
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STEMming An Adverse Tide
Rick Stephens, chair of AIA’s Workforce Steering Committee, testified before Congress on ways to improve the higher education system to increase the number of STEM graduates.
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The Globe as Crystal Ball
Around the globe, aircraft manufacturers share a similar trajectory. Demand for aircraft is driven by the number of airline tickets sold and the amount of air cargo shipped, which in turn are driven by the health of the overall economy.
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Acquisition Reform: The Never-Ending Story
When President Obama and his team came into office, one of the first areas of emphasis by the new Administration was acquisition reform. The President issued a “Memorandum on Government Contracting,” calling on federal agencies to improve the effectiveness of their acquisition practices and the results achieved from their contracts.
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AIA Comments on TSA’s Repair Station Security Plans
AIA submitted industry comments to the Transportation Security Administration on the proposed rulemaking for repair station security, published in November.
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Operationally Responsive Space: An AIA Priority
AIA has released a new white paper in support of Operationally Responsive Space small launch vehicle acquisition and space industrial base health.
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Air Shows Launch 2010
AIA had an active two months on the international air show circuit, with AIA supporting U.S. companies, government officials, military personnel and more than 20 different aircraft participating in the Bahrain, Morocco and Singapore air shows.
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AVIATION WEEK's
A&D Cybersecurity Forum
March 31 - April 1, 2010
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill- Washington DC AIA members save 20% when you register using promotion code AIA2010
http://www.aviationweek.com/events/current/adcyber/index.htm
An Evening with Ron Bloom, President Obama’s Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy
AIA hosted a member dinner and discussion with Ron Bloom, President Obama’s Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy on February 23, 2010, at our offices in Virginia. The discussion is part of our ongoing outreach with the Administration on the most pressing manufacturing issues for our aerospace and defense manufacturers. The Administration is committed to working with AIA and its member companies to meet its goal of doubling exports by 2015 and to keep an open line of communication with the aerospace and defense industry, which directly employs almost one million Americans. Bloom’s engagement come on the heels of AIA’s recent meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, as well as Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, & Logistics Ashton Carter, who have also committed to a regular dialog with us.
Aerospace Supplier Meeting to be Hosted by Honeywell and Raytheon
This year's Spring SMC meeting has a special focus on developing global trends. Representatives from Boeing, GE, Honeywell and Raytheon will talk about global business opportunities. Honeywell, Raytheon and Rockwell Collins will give "How To Do Business With Us" seminars. Other noteworthy presentations include an industry forecast, Quadrennial Defense Review analysis, and several segments on business operations.
»More details
AIA’s Southeastern Regional Meeting
This year’s Southeastern Regional Meeting will take place in Orlando, Florida, from April 21-23. Registrants will have the opportunity to visit Lockheed Martin’s Missiles & Fire Control facility and meet with company representatives to discuss working within their supply chain. AIA will host discussions on the state of the aerospace and defense industry, issues in cyber security challenges in the supply chain and hear the latest from our National Security and Supplier Management Councils.
AIA Member Benefit: Cybersecurity Alerts
AIA is partnering with the Internet Security Alliance to provide members with daily alerts and access to information and tools to help identify threats to your company's IT infrastructure. ISA is a nonprofit forum for information sharing and thought leadership on information security issues. This service will provide a built-in early warning system regarding significant and potentially damaging threats to IT systems, one of the most critical operational elements of any company.
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March 2010 eUpdate
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QDR 2010: A Roadmap for National Defense
This year's Spring SMC meeting has a special focus on developing global trends. Representatives from Boeing, GE, Honeywell and Raytheon will talk about global business opportunities. Honeywell, Raytheon and Rockwell Collins will give "How To Do Business With Us" seminars. Other noteworthy presentations include an industry forecast, Quadrennial Defense Review analysis, and several segments on business operations.Statement on the Appointment of Dr. Karlin Toner to the JPDO
Dr. Karlin Toner is an excellent choice to serve as the director of the Joint Planning and Development Office. Her aviation and aeronautics expertise combined with her policy and technical background will ensure the Next Generation Air Transportation System stays ahead of the technology curve by integrating industry expertise and government policy direction. The JPDO brings together the stakeholder agencies involved in NextGen; a leader like Dr. Toner will ensure that the necessary coordination is focused, efficient and effective. At the same time, we’d like to thank Charles Leader, the previous director, who served the JPDO since August 2006 with dedication.
AIA Members Support Haiti Relief Efforts
AIA Members Support Haiti Relief Efforts
AIA eUpdate 2009
 AIA eUpdate Year-End 2009 |
 AIA eUpdate December 2009 |
 AIA eUpdate November 2009 |
 AIA eUpdate October 2009 |
 AIA eUpdate September 2009 |
 AIA eUpdate July/August 2009 |
 AIA eUpdate May 2009 |
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Hobart Machined Products Deploys Omnitrol Real-Time Supplier Collaboration Solution
Hobart Machined Products has implemented a real-time operational visibility and supplier collaboration solution from Omnitrol Networks at Hobart's Ellensburg, WA plant. The OMNITROL Supplier Visibility (OSV) solution automates tracking, production status and delivery projections of work orders for such key customers as Boeing and NASA, through a secure collaborative web portal. As a completely automated real-time information exchange platform, OSV removes the overheads and inaccuracies found in tracking orders for on-time delivery.
OSV automates order and part tracking through wireless sensor technologies, and captures key performance metrics for further production analysis. One such analytics capability includes real-time order forecasting with which Hobart can proactively manage and prioritize order commitments to reduce delays and keep a 100% on-time delivery. Hobart's customers can now keep informed, anywhere, anytime, through an intuitive and secure web portal without requiring any manual data capture or reporting.
"We have taken the initiative to push our lean manufacturing operations into the new age of collaborative manufacturing," said Rosemary Brester, President & CEO of Hobart Machined Products. "With the growing challenges of managing outsourced partners, our customers require real-time visibility into order status to proactively and consistently track on-time delivery." Hobart designs and manufactures precision parts and hardware for the military and aerospace industry, as well as the automotive, medical device, and electronics industries.
Hobart selected Omnitrol Networks' real-time business intelligence solution because it automates shop-floor visibility while implementing collaborative processes with Hobart's customers allowing them to manage outside manufacturing operations as if they were a "virtual" extension of their own operations. Omnitrol Networks' unique model for automated tracking of work orders, quality metrics and delivery status removes manual logging which inevitably becomes error-prone and difficult to synchronize with supply-chain back-end systems. The OSV solution automates this processing and continuously tracks orders, staff and workflows to pinpoint bottlenecks and production challenges before they happen. Through powerful predictive analytics, OSV projects delivery times and completion times at each stage of the manufacturing process. Additionally, by allowing access to that information through secure web services, supplier management is transformed into exception-based collaborative partnerships.
"The advantages go both ways," says Hobart President Rosemary Brester. "The OMNITROL solution provides Hobart's manufacturing team with real-time visibility on all our customer orders without any impact on our operations. The solution eliminates the tasks of order tracking and manual entry. More importantly, the solution makes us a better partner to our customers by automatically sharing critical order information with them 24x7."
"Collaboration benefits both parties," says Omnitrol Networks President Raj Saksena. "The Hobart installation is another example of real-time visibility providing performance optimization not only for the manufacturer but also for the manufacturer's OEMs and supply-chain partners."
About Hobart Machined Products
Hobart Machined Products is a solution-oriented, customer-focused manufacturer of precision parts and hardware. Excelling in complex machining tasks, Hobart partners with customers to meet project specifications. Long-term customers worldwide rely on Hobart for exacting quality and project confidentiality in precision machining, high-end assemblies; design and engineering; prototype production; and tooling fabrication and weldments. For 32 years, Hobart has earned a global reputation for consistent performance ratings and customer service excellence for customers in the aerospace, medical, automotive and electronics industries.
About Omnitrol Networks, Inc.
Omnitrol Networks is the industry's first end-to-end solution delivering real-time collaborative supply-chain. Using predictive analytics directly from shop-floor operations, the OMNITROL solution enables real-time operational and supply intelligence in the aerospace & defense, food, retail and logistics markets. The OMNITROL solution automates real-time visibility into operations through digital sensors, RF and Wi-Fi technologies. Omnitrol Networks Inc. is a privately held company with corporate headquarters in Santa Clara, California, USA. Additional information about Omnitrol Networks' products and services are available at www.omnitrol.com.
Statement on the Death of Representative John Murtha
Representative John Murtha was a longtime leader in the House of Representatives with more than 35 years of service to his country. As a former Marine, he brought a strength and conviction to his position along with an abiding dedication to the men and women in uniform. Our condolences go to his family at this difficult time.
America Falling Further Behind in STEM Education
America is no longer a nation at risk, rather it is a “nation falling further behind,” in science and engineering education said Rick Stephens, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration at The Boeing Company.
In testimony today before the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, Stephens highlighted the challenges facing the U.S. defense industrial base as it seeks to replenish the workforce with tens of thousands of engineers in the very near future.
“These are becoming difficult jobs to fill, not because there is a labor shortage but because there is a skills shortage,” Stephens said. “Our industry needs more innovative young scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians to replace baby boomers as they retire.”
Testifying on behalf of the Aerospace Industries Association, Stephens outlined proposals for Congress to strengthen undergraduate and graduate education in the STEM fields. Among these are encouraging and expanding retention programs for undergrads, addressing the critical shortage of well-qualified primary and secondary teachers in STEM disciplines and motivating pursuit of STEM careers through enhanced support of programs that provide hands-on experience that is directly transferable to the workplace.
Stephens chairs the AIA Workforce Steering Committee which is actively examining ways that the aerospace industry can strategically address STEM education, including coordination of STEM efforts within the industry, as well as coordinating with other industries such as information technology and health.
“If we in the United States hope to retain our nation’s leadership in science, technology and innovation, we must immediately address the looming STEM skills gap,” Stephens concluded.
Stephens’ full testimony can be viewed at www.aia-aerospace.org/newsroom/speeches_testimony/.
AIA interview with Richard Stephens (mp3 format)
Shots from the Air Show
Boeing proudly displays the Little Bird helicopter in the U.S. DoD static display of aircraft.
Statement on NASA Fiscal 2011 Budget Request
In this fiscal environment, the increase in the NASA budget reflects the Administration’s commitment to the value of space.
We are encouraged that the budget extends the International Space Station, funds valuable earth science missions, increases aeronautics funding, renews interest in technology development and innovation, and promotes commercial spaceflight alternatives.
Although investment in commercial space will create new opportunities, we are concerned that the cancellation of the Constellation program may have a lasting impact on our workforce and the unique skills they bring to our industrial base.
Terminated programs and shifting plans for U.S. human space exploration further demonstrate the need for a national space strategy, and the need to coordinate space efforts across all agencies at the highest level.
AIA Members Support Haiti Relief Efforts
Natural disasters are the measure of mankind’s willingness and ability to assist their fellow man. Often such events bring out the best in individuals, governments and businesses.
The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the island nation of Haiti on Jan. 12 leveled much of the capital of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, and destroyed critical parts of the country’s infrastructure. An already poor country was presented with daunting challenges of finding survivors and treating them, providing shelter and food and attempting to restore viable avenues of communication and transportation to facilitate relief efforts.
General aviation aircraft played a large humanitarian role during the first days after the earthquake. Hundreds of civilian aircraft flew to the island, most ferrying equipment, medical personnel or Haitian expatriates responding to the disaster. One account of such a flight was provided by a reporter for Aviation International News aboard a Honeywell Gulfstream G450, which was loaded with medical supplies and aid workers. Larger transport planes began arriving after the FAA was able to route more flights into Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport.
AIA’s members were in the forefront of efforts to help Haiti recover. Here’s a snapshot of their contributions:
- BAE Systems, Inc.: The company is matching all contributions by U.S. employees to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. As of early February, employees have contributed $350,000.
- Boeing: More than $2 million has been committed to relief and rebuilding in Haiti, which includes up to $1 million in company matching funds. The U.S. Air Force has used Boeing C-17s to deliver more than 340 passengers and 323 tons of emergency cargo since relief operations began on Jan 14.
- Bombardier: The J. Armand Bombardier Foundation and the Bombardier family donated $1.5 million to support relief efforts. A Bombardier Global aircraft was used in an emergency airlift with the Canadian Medical Assistance Teams.
- Cobham: SATCOM set up communications systems on the ground to assist air, land and sea transport facilities, hospitals and electrical networks. In a group-wide fund-raising effort, the business unit with raises the most money per head will be matched by Cobham PLC.
- Eaton Corp.: Donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross International Disaster Relief Fund and will match employees’ donations to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Relief Fund.
- Embraer: The company matched employee contributions to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund.
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.: The Air Force deployed several of General Atomics’ MQ-1 Predator drones to provide overhead video imagery to support relief efforts.
- Gencorp (Aerojet): The GenCorp Foundation is matching employees’ donations to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund to a maximum of $20,000.
- Goodrich: The Goodrich Foundation and employees donated more than $185,000 to Haiti relief efforts.
- Harris: Provided medical supplies, communications equipment, meal rations and technical teams to help restore telecommunications connectivity for the military, relief agencies and others involved in recovery and rebuilding.
- Honeywell: Gulfstream V business jets delivered emergency medical supplies. The company has pledged $1 million to fund rebuilding projects, while employees have donated nearly $225,000, which the company will match.
- ITT: Shipped five water treatment units and Reverse Osmosis units to treat contaminated water and remove salt. Raised more than $400,000, including the company’s double match, toward the relief effort.
- Jeppesen: Provided trip kits, flight and trip planning services and NavData navigational databases for aircraft operators delivering food, medicine and other supplies to Haiti.
- L-3 Communications: Donated aircraft and pilot time to deliver medical supplies in six to eight relief flights, carrying about 1,300 lbs. of medical supplies per trip.
- Lockheed Martin: The corporation donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross’s International Response Fund.
- Northrop Grumman: Contributed $500,000 through five agencies supporting the recovery effort and another $1 million through a company-employee matching gift program. The U.S. Air Force has used the RQ-4 Global hawk to provide reconnaissance in support of the humanitarian relief effort.
- Parker Aerospace: Contributed equipment and supplies to the relief effort, including medical supplies and water desalinization systems. Also made substantial cash donations to Hands Together and Doctors Without Borders.
- Raytheon: Promoted charitable donations on its internal website and matched the first $100,000 of employees’ donations to relief efforts.
- Rockwell Collins: Flew a team of doctors to Miami to assist in relief efforts. Contributed $10,000 and encouraged employees to give through non-profits.
- Rolls-Royce: Donated medical supplies and encouraged individual contributions to specific partner charities in the U.S. and around the world. Also held local collection drives.
- Textron: Donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund.
- United Technologies Corp.: The corporation made a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross, in addition to $260,000 in UTC employee contributions to Red Cross relief efforts.
- Vought Aircraft: Introduced an employee matching gift program in conjunction with Save The Children's Haiti relief efforts.
Creole interpreters assist Haiti earthquake victims in a U.S. Navy MH60S Seahawk
Statement on the Fiscal 2011 Defense Department Budget Request and Quadrennial Defense Review
The fiscal 2011 budget request for the Defense Department is a reasonable target that takes into account the very real demands that two ongoing wars make on our troops and the equipment that supports them. Even in today’s budget-reduction climate, it is extremely important that our nation stands firm behind those obligations.
Over the long term, we need to be especially mindful about maintaining and modernizing the equipment that gives our men and women in uniform the technological dominance they require on the battlefield of tomorrow as well as today.
Both the budget request and the Quadrennial Defense Review continue efforts to reform how DOD buys goods and services, with an emphasis on creating stability in requirements and cost. We’re looking forward to working with the department to create a more effective and efficient delivery of logistical support to our troops. This will continue our joint efforts for positive reform.
We’re also extremely heartened by the inclusion of a discussion of the industrial base in the QDR released today. For the first time since Congress mandated this report in 1996, the industrial base is cited as an important factor that must be considered in the department’s strategic planning.
The health of the industrial base is at the heart of our ability to supply our nation with the weapons systems it requires. We’re hopeful that DOD will take into account the need for greater investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education as industry recruits the future workforce. We’re also optimistic that the next step inclusion of industrial base considerations in program plans and policy will be executed as directed by the QDR.
Moreover, the QDR acknowledges the urgent need to reform the export control system, concluding that the proper remedy is fundamental and thorough restructuring. The issue is one of AIA’s long time priorities and we look forward to working on this important issue with DOD.
Director, Life Cycle Management
Purpose: This position is responsible for monitoring and addressing issues that relate to and impact on industry members in the two primary areas of product support and Engineering Management, and Quality Assurance. The product support area includes all phases of equipment and product life cycle support, including Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) policy, maintenance/depot maintenance, flexible sustainment, supply, spare parts, field support, technical publications, training, and so on. The engineering management focuses on design, manufacturing, reliability of products, and data interoperability and long-term storage. The quality assurance area includes all government relationships that affect product integrity and contribute to increased customer satisfaction. This position serves as the staff liaison to member bodies addressing these issues and to outside agencies.
Nature and Scope of Work: This position reports directly to the Assistant Vice President, Technical Operations.
This position is responsible for monitoring issues, regulations and developments as they relate to and impact on industry members in the areas of product support engineering management, and quality assurance in coordinating the activities of the committees, subcommittees, task groups and panels established to address these issues. These bodies may take the initiative to formulate positions to be presented to such federal agencies as DoD, NASA, EPA, DoL and GSA, as well as their various bureaus and commissions; or respond to government inquiries dealing with special areas of concern that require industry input. Some of these groups may have government, civilian, both domestic and international and/or military officials participating in or observing deliberations.
Serves as principal liaison to one or more member committees, subcommittees, panels and task forces. Works closely with the chairmen of executive and steering committees and key industry officials of these groups to identify and clarify issues. Provides assistance as well as technical advice. Participates in seeking industry consensus; drafting and refining AIA's positions on the various issues and topics under consideration; and in making these viewpoints known to appropriate agency officials.
Confers with various civilian and military officials within the administration and agencies to gain attention and favorable consideration of AIA's viewpoint on subjects of current interest. Arranges and coordinates joint government-industry working groups and project teams within assigned area of responsibility in order to gain consensus on major issues affecting the aerospace industry.
Occasionally attends congressional hearings to become aware of the legislative considerations impacting on the incumbent's areas specialization. Can assist the Office of Legislative Affairs in drafting testimony to be presented at such hearings.
Serves as a central resource person, and as such responds to inquiries from member companies, government officials and the public seeking information and background data on incumbent's areas of expertise. These inquiries can range from general questions to highly specific requests that may take days to assemble the required data and background information.
Makes all meeting arrangements for committees in areas of responsibility. This includes assisting in topic selection, development of background information and materials, selection of site and hotel/company facility, arranging for meeting and sleeping rooms and menus, taking minutes and finalizing these after comment, and approving expenses associated with each meeting.
Contributes articles and news items to the AIA newsletter highlighting issues and developments within own areas of expertise and responsibility. May also contribute to various government publications as requested.
As directed by the president, may serve as principal staff liaison to several Board of Governors ad hoc groups dealing with current industry issues.
Conducts several committee-generated surveys a year on topics of immediate interest. Gathers data compiled by the committees; formats, reproduces and distributes it to committees and other interested parties.
Develops and populates web sites within the AIA home page for product support and quality assurance.
Opening Ceremony at Singpore Airshow
To the far right, President and CEO of AIA, Marion Blakey, participates in the ribbon cutting ceremony to commence the Singapore air show.
Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address
We’re very pleased that President Obama is making it a priority this year to double exports, enforce trade agreements and reform export controls consistent with national security. Trade expansion and export control modernization are longtime priorities of AIA and recognition of their importance by the President sets a positive tone for action this year.
In particular, we’re looking forward to seeing the recommendations from the interagency working group that he established in August to undertake a comprehensive review of the U.S. export control system. Reforms of the system will grow high-skill, high-wage jobs, keep America's defense industrial base competitive and sustain its ability to provide America's military and our close allies with the best technology at the best price.
Among the notable omissions in the speech was any mention of aviation. In particular, the Next Generation Air Transportation System that will transform the way Americans travel as we replace the 1950s era radar-based system with a precision satellite-based system. It is infrastructure that is a major catalyst for jobs and should be included in any jobs bill.
AIA is squarely on the record with the facts: The total number of direct and indirect jobs generated by an approximate $6 billion investment in NextGen equipment is more than 150,000 through 2012, with 30,000 jobs generated the first year. According to our research, there are already 2,436 manufacturing, maintenance and installation facilities operating in every state of the union. Investment in NextGen will add more jobs to these already established and productive facilities.
Another notable omission was NASA and the future of our manned space program. While President Obama stressed the importance of technology and education to our competitiveness and economy, NASA is a key contributor to those fundamentals for our nation. A robust and well-funded space effort that includes a program of manned exploration beyond Low Earth Orbit is a wonderful source of inspiration for America’s youth to pursue high level science and technical education and careers. We must reach for the stars to provide that inspiration.
Finally, the President’s recognition of the need for small businesses to obtain credit is welcomed by all AIA members, but particularly by our smaller suppliers who have been stymied in their efforts to invest and innovate by a weak credit market. This, along with the tax proposals, will help small businesses boost our economy to health.
REACH Supplier Training Materials
Below are the draft updated materials used during the 2008 AIA REACH Supplier Training sessions. The intent of the presentations is to provide a general and simplified explanation of REACH as it pertains to the US aerospace industry. AIA members may use these documents within your companies. Use of these materials outside of AIA member companies should be done with prior approval from AIA.
- Section 1 - Introduction and What is REACH (PDF) (1,483k)
- Section 2 - REACH At a Glance (PDF) (1,169k)
- Section 3 - Digging Deeper into Registration (PDF) (519k)
- Section 4 - Digging Deeper into Authorization and Restriction (PDF) (249k)
- Section 5 - Digging Deeper into Communication and Notification (PDF) (179k)
- Section 6 - Management of REACH in the Aerospace Sector (PDF) (272k)
- Section 7 - What's New From 2008 (PDF) (323k)
- Section 8 - What Actions Should I Take (PDF) (284k)
- Section 9 - Further Information (PDF) (1,292k)
These presentations should not to be considered legal advice or guidance. Users are encouraged to visit the European Chemicals Agency Navigator website. This website was developed by ECHA to assist industry and authorities to understand and meet REACH obligations. The website is: http://guidance.echa.europa.eu/
Statement on Jobs for America
The economy in general and job creation in particular are expected to be front and center in President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight, highlighting the timeliness of a new report by the Milken Institute. Jobs for America says that more than 182,000 jobs could result from a $10.4 billion government investment in the Next Generation Air Transportation System.
NextGen is a solution at hand for our nation. The program is shovel ready and in addition to generating jobs will enhance the safety, security and environmental stewardship of our transportation system.
Jobs for America also calls out the value of aerospace manufacturing, which employs high-skilled labor and pays above average wages with an extensive value chain that stimulates many other manufacturing industries. According to our research, there are already 2,436 manufacturing, maintenance and installation facilities operating in every state of the union. Investment in NextGen will add more jobs to these already established and productive facilities.
Whether traveling to the corner store to pick up groceries or depending on a just-in-time shipment for a business project or manufacturing plant, aviation benefits all Americans, not just business and recreational travelers. As Congress and the administration develop a jobs bill, the data clearly shows that making NextGen a priority will help everyone.
Note: Jobs for America: Investments and Policies for Economic Growth and Competitiveness is available on the Milken website. The report was sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers. The discussion on NextGen is on page 52 of the report.
Aerospace Facts & Figures
669 Teams of Student Rocketeers Launching for Team America Rocketry Challenge Finals
Students on 669 teams from 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands are preparing to launch their hand-designed rockets in the world’s largest rocket contest― the eighth annual Team America Rocketry Challenge (www.rocketcontest.org).
Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association, the National Association of Rocketry and more than 30 industry partners, with participation by NASA, the Defense Department and the American Association of Physics Teachers, the contest is designed to boost the industry workforce by sparking interest in science, math and engineering education among middle and high school students.
The aerospace industry faces a workforce challenge as more than 20 percent of the industry becomes eligible to retire by 2013. Not enough students are entering aerospace engineering programs, potentially leaving thousands of critical defense and other sector positions unfilled as professionals retire.
This year’s challenge is for each 3- to 10-member team to design and build a model rocket that carries a single raw egg payload to a precise altitude of 825 feet with a flight duration of between 40 and 45 seconds, returning the egg to the ground unbroken. The 100 teams with the best qualifying scores submitted by April 5 compete at the finals at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va., (near Washington, D.C.) on May 15.
In a 2009 survey among team members, 70 percent said they became more interested in a STEM career as a result of TARC. For example, contest alumnus Lieutenant (j.g.) Jerry Maniscalco graduated from the Naval Academy with an aerospace engineering degree in 2007, and is now piloting Seahawk helicopters in Jacksonville, Fla.
“Each student has a critical role in designing their team’s rocket and they learn to appreciate how engineering is both exciting and mentally challenging,” said Maniscalco. “TARC is exactly what set me on the educational path to become an aerospace engineer.”
The total purse for the contest is $60,000 in scholarships and prizes. Raytheon Company pays for the winning team to attend a “fly-off” at the Farnborough International Air Show near London in July against teams from the UK and France.
Archive 2009
December 17, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, 45th Annual Year-End Review and Forecast (PDF format)
December 10, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared testimony for the House Committee on Science and Technology entitled Decisions on the Future Direction and Funding for NASA: What Will They Mean for the U.S. Aerospace Workforce and Industrial Base? (PDF format)
December 9, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared testimony for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade entitled A Strategic and Economic Review of Aerospace Exports (PDF format)
December 8, 2009 - Cord Sterling, Vice President, Legislative Affairs, Aerospace Industries Association, verbal testimony for DoD Hearing on the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 - Organization Conflict of Interest (PDF format)
December 2, 2009 - J.P. Stevens, Vice President, Space Systems, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared testimony for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation (PDF format)
November 19, 2009 - J.P. Stevens, Vice President, Space Systems, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared testimony for the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics (PDF format)
November 11, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks at the BDLI Annual General Meeting (PDF format)
October 28, 2009 - Neil Planzer, Vice President - Strategy, Boeing Air Traffic Management, testimony on NextGen: A Review of the RTCA Mid-Term Implementation Task Force Report (PDF Format)
October 14, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks on the future of aerospace at the AIAC conference (PDF format)
October 13, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, speech to Wichita Aero Club (PDF format)
October 2, 2009 - Dan Elwell, Vice President of Civial Aviation, remarks at the Naverus PBN Summit 2009
October 2, 2009 - Robert J. Stevens, Chair of AIA, Chairman, President & CEO of Lockheed Martin, remarks at the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe Convention
September 29, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, speech on air traffic modernization at NTSB Training Center (PDF format)
September 17, 2009 - Richard Sylvester, Vice President of Acquisition Policy, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared statement to the Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform (PDF format)
August 21, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared remarks for Rockwell Collins' Engineering Experiences (PDF format)
June 30, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared remarks for the Lockheed Martin Supplier Conference (PDF format)
June 18, 2009 - J.P. Stevens, Vice President, Space Systems, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared testimony for the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics (PDF format)
June 14, 2009 - Robert J. Stevens, Chair of AIA, Chairman, President & CEO of Lockheed Martin, remarks at Paris Air Show media dinner. (External link)
May 21, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks as prepared for the ASAS Global Network Forum (PDF format)
May 13, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks as prepared before the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation (PDF format) and written testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation (PDF format)
April 30, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks as prepared before the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee (PDF format) and written testimony before the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee (PDF format)
April 28, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks as prepared for the Lindbergh Lecture, "The Spirit of Innovation" (PDF format)
April 28, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared testimony before the House Space and Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee (PDF format)
April 2, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks as prepared before the House Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee (PDF format) and written testimony before the House Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee (PDF format)
April 2, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, prepared testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade (PDF format)
March 18, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks as prepared before the House Subcommittee on Aviation (PDF format) and written testimony before the House Subcommittee on Aviation (PDF format)
» Watch the video of the hearing.
March 9, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, testimony before the Aerospace States Association (PDF format)
February 20, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks as prepared for the AIA Southwestern Regional Meeting, hosted by Northrop Grumman (PDF format)
February 11, 2009 - Clayton M. Jones, Chairman, President and CEO of Rockwell Collins, testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee (PDF format)
January 15, 2009 - Marion C. Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association, remarks as prepared for the National Aeronautic Association January Luncheon (PDF format)
AIA Hosting Joint Association Meeting to Address Aviation Security
AIA’s Civil Aviation Security Committee has invited the Transportation Security Administration, Airports Council International and the International Air Transport Association to a joint meeting in February to discuss the recent Christmas day attack on Delta/NW flight 253. The intent of the meeting is to understand what the various sectors (airlines, airports, manufacturers) are doing in response to the recent attack and identify common areas of concern.
Since the attack, the United States has urged the implementation of full body scanners and other detection devices at national airports and has strongly urged international partners to do the same. Additional measures call for increased gate screening and physical searches of passengers and cabin baggage. AIA is working to identify and ease the challenges associated with the deployment of body scanners.
AIA members support ICAO’s central role to enhance security worldwide and establish standards for aviation security systems and technologies. AIA also supports a risk-based assessment approach to enhance aviation security while keeping communication lines with and among stakeholders clear so as to avoid unintended consequences.
AIA Source: Ranee.Carr@aia-aerospace.org
669 Teams of Student Rocketeers Launching for Team America Rocketry Challenge Finals
Students on 669 teams from 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands are preparing to launch their hand-designed rockets in the world’s largest rocket contest― the eighth annual Team America Rocketry Challenge (www.rocketcontest.org).
Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association, the National Association of Rocketry and more than 30 industry partners, with participation by NASA, the Defense Department and the American Association of Physics Teachers, the contest is designed to boost the industry workforce by sparking interest in science, math and engineering education among middle and high school students.
The aerospace industry faces a workforce challenge as more than 20 percent of the industry becomes eligible to retire by 2013. Not enough students are entering aerospace engineering programs, potentially leaving thousands of critical defense and other sector positions unfilled as professionals retire.
This year’s challenge is for each 3- to 10-member team to design and build a model rocket that carries a single raw egg payload to a precise altitude of 825 feet with a flight duration of between 40 and 45 seconds, returning the egg to the ground unbroken. The 100 teams with the best qualifying scores submitted by April 5 compete at the finals at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va., (near Washington, D.C.) on May 15.
In a 2009 survey among team members, 70 percent said they became more interested in a STEM career as a result of TARC. For example, contest alumnus Lieutenant (j.g.) Jerry Maniscalco graduated from the Naval Academy with an aerospace engineering degree in 2007, and is now piloting Seahawk helicopters in Jacksonville, Fla.
“Each student has a critical role in designing their team’s rocket and they learn to appreciate how engineering is both exciting and mentally challenging,” said Maniscalco. “TARC is exactly what set me on the educational path to become an aerospace engineer.”
The total purse for the contest is $60,000 in scholarships and prizes. Raytheon Company pays for the winning team to attend a “fly-off” at the Farnborough International Air Show near London in July against teams from the UK and France.
AIA Source: Audrey.Koehler[at]aia-aerospace.org
AIA Prepares for Singapore Air Show
AIA looks forward to supporting the U.S. military and our member companies at the upcoming Feb. 2 – 7 Singapore Air Show, the largest aerospace and defense exhibition in Asia. With billion dollar contracts signed and more than 130,000 visitors at the 2008 show, the organizers predict an even more successful event.
A special thanks to AIA Regular Members: Bell Helicopter Textron, The Boeing Company, L-3 Communications Corporation and Sikorsky (UTC) for hosting lunches for AIA Associate Members during the air show. The lunches provide AIA suppliers with an excellent opportunity to strengthen their business relationships while highlighting their company’s capabilities.
AIA has a unique role at the air show, supporting the air operations, aircrew, security and corral for the military aircraft on display and in flight demonstrations. The KC-135 Stratotanker, B-52 Stratofortress, P-3 Orion, C-130J Hercules, F-15 Eagle, and Shadow and Scan Eagle unmanned aerial systems will be on display in the DOD corral of static aircraft. The B-1 and the much-anticipated A-10 Thunderbolt II, will be making their Asian flying debut at the show.
AIA, in coordination with Kallman Worldwide, the American Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy, is hosting a reception for U.S. exhibitors and VIP attendees at The Equinox, Swissotel, on Wednesday February 3. We extend our thanks to The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Company and United Technologies Corporation for sponsoring this event. The guest of honor will be the U.S Chargé d’ Affaires Daniel L. Shields III. Many other high-ranking international officials have been invited and are expected to attend, including Singapore Air Chief Brigadier General Ng Chee Meng and U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander General Gary North.
Check in with AIA at singapore on Twitter: @AIA_News
AIA Source: Trish.Ward[at]aia-aerospace.org Located at chalet CD-71
Boeing Income Tops Airbus
As measured by the value of deliveries, Boeing topped Airbus in the most recent renewal of their annual competition. Although Airbus delivered a greater number of aircraft to customers in 2009 than did Boeing (498 versus 481), Boeing’s revenue from its deliveries surpassed Airbus by an estimated $4 billion. The likely value of Boeing’s deliveries after standard discounts was about $33 billion, compared with about $28 billion for Airbus. By the numbers, the simple conclusion is that Boeing sold a more valuable mix of aircraft. While Boeing rolled out a record number of its profitable wide-body 777s in 2009, Airbus only delivered 20 of its larger-sized wide-body aircraft. Generally, bigger planes mean bigger profits, so the larger offerings of the manufacturers are more profitable than the workhorse single-aisle aircraft such as the A320 and the Boeing 737.
The results fit the pattern of recent years, though the 2008 Boeing strike allowed Airbus to post annual sales results that topped Boeing’s. Looking forward, despite challenging market conditions, neither Boeing nor Airbus have plans to slow the production schedules of the airplanes that contribute most to their bottom line. In particular, Boeing is scheduled to deliver its first Dreamliner at the end of 2010, which will put Boeing in a very solid market position for new aircraft that are fuel efficient and serve the long-haul marketplace.
AIA Source: William.Chadwick@aia-aerospace.org
AIA Introduces Aerospace Jobs Board
AIA is helping our members connect with top talent in aerospace with a new service: an Aerospace Jobs section on the AIA website. Post jobs with AIA and put your open positions in front of thousands of experienced professionals in the industry.
Your jobs will appear:
- On the Aerospace Jobs page on the AIA website.
- In every issue of the AIA dailyLead, which reaches 27,500 subscribers five days a week.
- On AIA’s social media channels.
Many AIA members are already taking advantage of this recruiting resource, including Aerojet, Aurora Flight Sciences, BAE Systems, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Goodrich Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Collins and Rolls-Royce North America.
Interested in posting jobs? Visit http://www.aia-aerospace.org/resource_center/aerospace_jobs/. AIA members receive a 20 percent discount through February 2010 with the code AEROJOBS. Questions? Contact patrick.carlson[at]aia-aerospace.org.
Check the Aerospace Jobs page often to find the latest career news and job openings.
AIA Source: Patrick.Carlson[at]aia-aerospace.org
Coalition Convened to Address Science and Math Education
More than 60 representatives from 40 organizations met Jan. 7 at The Boeing Company to plan strategies for advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. In 2008, AIA proposed forming a coalition to work on building the pipeline for highly-trained STEM professionals.
Among those attending were industry associations such as the National Association of Manufacturers, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Entertainment Industries Council and government agencies such as DOD, the Depts. of Education and Labor and NASA. Targeted participants either employ or represent the employers of STEM professionals. Partners from non-profit thought-leaders such as the Council on Competitiveness, the Business-Higher Education Forum and the Institute for a Competitive Workforce also participated.
The goal of the session was to find ways that organizations can collaborate on their STEM education efforts. Aerospace companies alone each support an average of 23 separate STEM programs annually, according to a survey by Aviation Week.
“The purpose of today’s meeting is to join forces,” AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey told attendees. “While the aerospace industry is looking to align our own companies, we know that it’s not just our industry that has a stake in this issue and that real change is going to happen when we strategically align with other industries, such as health, IT, construction and manufacturing.”
 Rick Stephens of Boeing |
The meeting was led by Rick Stephens, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration at The Boeing Company and chair of AIA’s Workforce Steering Committee, which has been directed by AIA’s Executive Committee to devise an industry strategy to address STEM education.
During a daylong interactive session, participants agreed they wanted the coalition to be “action-oriented” and use all forms of media to approach the issue.
The group is considering coordinating a national STEM public relations campaign to better communicate to students and parents the importance of STEM disciplines. “Not for geeks only” was one message. Another is to pursue action at the state and local levels.
Next steps for the coalition involve a February follow-up meeting and plans for a formal launch later in the quarter.
AIA and its member companies have actively been involved in developing the future aerospace workforce. To learn more visit our Workforce Portal at: http://www.aia-aerospace.org/issues_policies/workforce/.
AIA Source: daphne.dador[at]aia-aerospace.org
International Forum on Business Ethical Conduct Holds Precedent-Setting First Meeting
AIA member companies joined their private sector European counterparts, non-governmental organizations and NATO representatives to discuss global industry ethics standards at the first International Forum on Business Ethical Conduct (IFBEC) on Jan. 13 in Berlin, Germany.
 Allan Cook and Robert Stevens endorse the Global Principles |
A series of joint presentations by U.S. and European signatories to the Global Principles of Business Ethics for the Aerospace and Defense Industry explored the origins of the principles and their content. The attendees then considered similar European and U.S. initiatives that informed the negotiation of the principles (the EU’s Common Industry Standards and the U.S. Defense Industry Initiative on Ethics and Business Conduct). Representatives from NATO, DOD and Transparency International also spoke.
IFBEC expanded the formal dialogue started by the October 2009 endorsement of the Global Principals by Robert Stevens of Lockheed Martin on behalf of AIA, and Allan Cook of Cobham on behalf of the Aerospace and Defense Industries Association of Europe (ASD). All of the member companies of the Executive Committee of AIA’s Board of Governors have since signed on to the Global Principles of Business Ethics, setting the stage for other U.S. companies to follow suit.
AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey endorsed the important work the attendees were engaged in at IFBEC: demonstrating the industry’s commitment to ethical business conduct, fostering a level playing field among all exporting companies and engaging in a fruitful exchange among stakeholders from international and non-governmental organizations.
IFBEC participants agreed the conference should be continued on a periodic basis and will alternate locations between the United States and Europe. AIA and ASD will serve as co-chairs in organizing the conference. Both organizations agreed to prioritize expanding participation in this dialogue to include colleagues in the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations such as Brazil, Canada, Japan (which sent a representative to IFBEC) and eventually beyond.
AIA Source: PJ.Hart[at]aia-aerospace.org
Have you been REAChed?
It’s been called the world’s toughest law on toxic chemicals. We know it as REACh. It’s the acronym for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances, a European Community law that entered into force in June 2007 to regulate chemical usage throughout the EU. REACh is so complex and its potential impact so broad regarding the aerospace industry that AIA must be fully engaged during the regulation’s 11-year phase-in period.
The EU intended REACh “to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances.” By design, the REACh Regulation puts the onus on industry to manage chemical risks and to provide safety information on the substances it uses and produces. REACh requires manufacturers and importers of products to the EU countries to report detailed chemical substance information on their products.
The reported data is then registered into a central database run by the European Chemicals Agency (EChA) in Helsinki. The EChA is the focus of the Reach framework. EChA:
- determines which chemicals are subject to the law;
- coordinates the in-depth evaluation of chemicals;
- collects the registered data, and
- hosts the public database containing registered information.
Many aspects of REACh concern the aerospace industry. There are logistical and cost concerns with simply collecting the level of chemical detail that the rule requires. There are proprietary concerns associated with the public availability of product chemistry. Perhaps most troubling is the regulation’s stated objective to progressively substitute substances that EChA identifies as “the most dangerous chemicals” when EChA determines that “suitable alternatives have been identified.”
The potential for chemical substitution in the manufacture of strategic products also concerns the Defense Department. DOD recognizes that expected outcomes for products associated with REACh may include:
- limited availability of key chemical ingredients,
- increased costs,
- undisclosed substitution of key chemicals,
- disruptions to the supply chain and
- decreased product performance or performance failures.
AIA is not alone, nor is AIA passively monitoring REACh as the EChA progresses through its 11-year plan to implement the REACh program. The AIA REACh Working Group, co-chaired by Dennis Hussey of Goodrich and Sally Gestautas of Raytheon, begins its fourth year with an ambitious agenda. Projects this year will build upon current and past activity to prepare the aerospace industry for the full impact of REACh.
Materials used in past AIA training sessions were recently updated and are now posted on the AIA web site. A key AIA goal is to inform the complete aerospace supply chain of REACh requirements in order to facilitate accurate exchange of chemical product data. AIA members recognize that many suppliers do not have the resources to address REACh on their own.
AIA is working to standardize information collection among aerospace companies world-wide. An international standard was developed and is managed through AIA member direction with our SAE-aerospace panel.
Key partners in these tasks include AIA’s sister organizations, AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and A|D|S. Our international partnerships will continue as our organizations review the lists of chemicals announced by EChA and identify substances key to the industry. DOD is also working with AIA to identify a multitude of issues that will need to be addressed as REACh is implemented. These issues include research and development needs and the defense acquisition process, to name just two.
AIA and our colleagues plan to address these challenges jointly to ensure continuity of operations in the aerospace industry.
AIA Source: Lisa.Goldberg[at]aia-aerospace.org
Spring SMC Meeting
AIA Expands Discussion of Space Issues on Capitol Hill in 2009
The last two months of 2009 provided several opportunities for testimony, rounding out a banner year for AIA’s discussions of space issues on Capitol Hill.
In November, AIA Vice President for Space JP Stevens presented testimony to the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics on the growth of global space capabilities. He addressed concerns about the U.S. industrial base in the face of global competition, noting that interruptions or cancellations of programs that impact large companies can be catastrophic to smaller firms – often the only entities with the unique abilities to produce small but critical components on which huge portions of our economy, infrastructure and security depend. Stevens also raised concerns about U.S. export control policies that are counterproductive for the space industry, negatively impacting America’s security interests.
In December, Stevens testified on commercial space issues before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. Stevens stressed that our nation’s share of commercial space launches is decreasing. In 2008, only six of the 28 worldwide commercial launches were conducted by U.S. companies. Stevens also noted the importance of extending the U.S. commercial space launch indemnification regime, which was set to expire at the end of December. Even more commercial launch business could be driven overseas in the absence of government indemnification against third-party loss, he said.
Finally, in December, AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey spoke before the full House Committee on Science and Technology regarding NASA’s industrial base and workforce. Blakey stressed that while the Administration and Congress consider the future of NASA, we must ensure our continuing leadership in space exploration by investing in education and funding cutting-edge programs to attract young people to careers in NASA and industry. She went on to say that maintaining the aerospace workforce depends on continuing stable and robust funding for the nation’s space program, stressing that fluctuating budgets and delayed programs adversely affect a skilled workforce.
Last year was remarkable for AIA’s space efforts on Capitol Hill. Blakey and Stevens provided testimony on space issues six times and submitted additional testimony twice. AIA also hosted three congressional briefings on space protection, utilizing the International Space Station and missile defense.
AIA Source: andrew.barber[at]aia-aerospace.org
Efforts to Extend Commercial Space Launch Indemnification Successful
One of the final actions of Congress in 2009 was extension of government indemnification of U.S. commercial space launches for another three years. Since 2007, AIA has made numerous visits to Capitol Hill on this issue and worked closely with the FAA, NASA and other space associations.
In 2008, only six of the 28 worldwide commercial launches were conducted by U.S. companies. Elimination of government indemnification would have driven even more launch business overseas.
Indemnification, which was due to expire on Dec. 31, 2009, helps protect U.S. commercial launch services providers against catastrophic third-party liability claims resulting from FAA-licensed launch activities.
Because launch indemnification is a complex issue burdened with numerous misconceptions, AIA's main effort was educating stakeholders. No funds are committed in advance and congressional approval is required for any payment.
Since launch manifests can extend out for several years, indemnification maintains continuity in the business environment and strengthens U.S. international competitiveness. The indemnification regime provides a level playing field in a global space launch market where all other space-faring nations provide some form of government indemnification for their commercial launches.
AIA Source: andrew.barber[at]aia-aerospace.org
Mandell Named Head of Membership and Business Development
David Mandell, a former executive at the FAA and founder of a successful private company, has joined AIA as Vice President of Membership and Business Development
Mandell was chief of staff to FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey from 2002 to 2006. He was responsible for assisting in the day-to-day management of the agency, which has 50,000 employees and a $14 billion dollar budget. A key advisor to the administrator on all policy, press, legal and management issues, Mandell helped lead the development and execution of its first five-year strategic business plan tying employees’ pay to organizational goals.
In May 2006, Mandell founded The p.i.n.k. Spirits Company and was its president and CEO. He developed, created and launched the first line of ultra-premium spirits infused with caffeine and guarana. The company was an award-winning enterprise that generated approximately $9 million in sales and was successfully sold in May 2009.
“David has a great wealth of experience in both government and business,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “With changes in the industry and the difficult economy, an entrepreneurial approach to business development and membership will greatly benefit AIA.”
David was counsel to the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board from 2001 to 2002. He also was an attorney at the law firm of Blank Rome in Philadelphia, Pa. from 1999-2001, where he specialized in complex environmental, securities and election law litigation.
AIA on the Hill
AIA finished the calendar year in a flurry of activity on Capitol Hill with testimony on space launch issues, the value of aerospace exports and workforce in December alone. During the course of the year, AIA testified nearly 20 times either in person or in writing on an array of important industry issues, and made more than 250 visits to lawmakers’ offices.
As lawmakers return to Capitol Hill for the second session of the 111th Congress, AIA will need to keep pace with 2009’s accomplishments, given the number of issues that face industry. One of the top priorities still remaining from last year is passage of the defense trade cooperation treaties between the United States and the United Kingdom and between the United States and Australia. Extension of the R&D tax credit is also a priority, although there is widespread support for the extension given the proven value of the credit to our national competitiveness.
As health care was a focus in 2009, jobs and deficit reduction promise to be administration and congressional priorities this year. AIA has been actively making the case for promoting aircraft equipage for NextGen as a jobs creator. Estimates place the total number of direct and indirect jobs generated by a $6 billion investment in NextGen equipment at more than 150,000 through 2012, with 30,000 jobs generated the first year.
The 2011 budget is due from President Obama on February 1, and questions on NASA’s future direction, as well as investment in defense procurement, acquisition reform and the industrial base, will be addressed in the coming months as AIA puts on its running shoes for another busy legislative session.
February 2010 Viewpoint
By Marion C. Blakey
Aviation security once again became Topic A on Christmas Day 2009. Disaster was narrowly averted by a chance misfire when a passenger tried to detonate an explosive device in his clothing aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253.
In considering this I'd like to suggest three ways in which the aviation community should vigorously advocate enhanced security for every passenger – before a terrorist reaches the aircraft.
First, there needs to be increased international leadership on common security standards. Second, we must use existing U.S. legislation to protect the developers of new technology. Finally, let’s revise the export control regime to enable greater sharing of useful security measures.
We already have an excellent source for leadership on global security; the International Civil Aviation Organization, or ICAO, the U.N. agency charged with the safe, secure and sustainable development of civil aviation around the world. We all think of its mission first in terms of safety and then the environment – but in these times there needs to be much greater emphasis on global aviation security.
I’d like to see ICAO take the lead in setting standards for international screening measures and guidelines for airlines and airports. And there are encouraging signs. Following a meeting earlier this month with officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the Transport Security Administration, ICAO agreed to consider proposals for a comprehensive aviation security strategy.
There is much precedent for ICAO’s setting standards for aviation. Very recently, ICAO developed uniform machine readable passport standards and, as of last August, more than 170 of the 190 member States issued passports that comply with its standards.
Secondly, we must facilitate international cooperation on liability concerns regarding the introduction of new security technologies. In the United States, we have the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002, known as the SAFETY Act. The SAFETY Act limits liability for manufacturers of technology intended to protect the nation against terror attacks. We need to encourage more companies to invest in new anti-terrorism technology without fear of lawsuits after an attack occurs.
Moreover, we need to extend this protection internationally by encouraging the State Department and DHS to work closely with foreign governments to develop liability protection similar to the SAFETY Act. We must create an environment in which companies are free to develop and deploy new security technologies without fear that liability issues could emerge after the fact of a successful attack and threaten the enterprise.
U.S. industry has made some progress on improving awareness of this problem among other governments, but few have made a commitment to address this issue. Taking this step could significantly advance the efforts being made to improve the environment for developing and deploying homeland security technologies.
Export controls are a key third step. The need to protect access to critical U.S. technology can occasionally run counter to the drive to install U.S. homeland security technology overseas to detect and deter attacks on the United States before they reach our borders.
But more precision is needed in export control mechanisms governing the composition of the U.S. Munitions List. And, more rigorous risk analysis for export decisions that recognizes the security benefits of technology exchange can help reconcile these potentially contradictory priorities.
It’s an interesting challenge. The whole point of the export control system is to prevent the proliferation of sensitive technologies. Yet to secure our homeland we must share beneficial technologies with other nations.
We have many tools. We need to use them.
Commercial aviation is a vital transportation link that provides pleasure and efficient travel to millions of passengers each year. Security is what we owe these passengers. We should not have to rely on misfires and near misses.
Terror should never leave the gate.
Wireless Version
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Students on 669 teams from 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands are preparing to launch their hand-designed rockets in the world's largest rocket contest - the eighth annual Team America Rocketry Challenge.
February 2010 eUpdate
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AIA’s Team is on the Way
Downtown Singapore
AIA's team is headed to Singapore later this week to support its members and the U.S. military corral. This Singapore Air Show runs February 2-7. Be sure to check back here for updates as the show progresses.
AIA in Singapore
Speakers
Senior Industry Executives
- Richard Douglas, Vice President, International Programs, GE Aviation
- Alan Fisher, UK Membership, International Sales & Networking Support, A|D|S
- Dana Hullinger, Director, Supply Chain Strategy & Early Supplier Envolvement, The Boeing Company Integrated Defense Systems
- Kristin King, Material & Supply, Rockwell Collins
- Joe Klunk, President and CEO, Parkway Products, Inc.
- Howard Mason, Corporate IT Office, BAE Systems
- Jimmy McDonald, Vice President of Strategic Sourcing, Honeywell Aerospace
- J Gregory Moxness, Sr. Information Technology Fellow, Chief Technologiest, Raytheon Missile Systems Company
- Varun Nikore, Sr. Vice President, International, Tri Polus Ltd.
- Adrian Paull, Vice President, Customer & Product Support, Honeywell Aerospace
- Matthew J. Reagan, Vice President of Industrial Metals International
- William J. Sharman, Director, Offset, Industrial Cooperation and International Operations, Raytheon Missile Systems
- John Surmay, Vice President, Materials Management, Honeywell Aerospace
Global Aerospace Outlook
- Pierre Chao, Managing Partner, Renaissance Strategic Advisors
- Jon Etherton, President, Etherton and Associates
- Gary Stanley, President, Global Legal Services, PC
Agenda
Tentative Meeting Agenda (PDF Format)
Spring SMC Meeting
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Year-End Review and Forecast
Statement on ADS-B Rollout in Gulf of Mexico
The successful rollout of the ADS-B air traffic control system in the Gulf of Mexico this week is a major step forward for the modernization of America’s outdated aerospace infrastructure. The rollout in Philadelphia next month will be another milestone event as the benefits of NextGen technology become immediately apparent in one of the nation’s busiest airspace corridors. FAA and AIA member companies have stepped up to the plate in managing such a complex program on time and under budget.
While we are greatly encouraged by the progress demonstrated so far, there is still much to be done. Congress has opportunities in the jobs bill and the FAA reauthorization to promote accelerated implementation of NextGen and incentivize further investment in our aerospace infrastructure. We estimate the total number of direct and indirect jobs generated by an approximate $6 billion investment in NextGen equipment at more than 150,000 through 2012, with 30,000 jobs generated the first year.
Mandell Named Head of Membership and Business Development
David Mandell, a former executive at the FAA and founder of a successful private company, has joined AIA as the Vice President of Membership and Business Development
Mandell was chief of staff to FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey from 2002 to 2006. He was responsible for assisting in the day-to-day management of the agency, which has 50,000 employees and a $14 billion dollar budget. A key advisor to the administrator on all policy, press, legal and management issues, Mandell helped lead the development and execution of its first five-year strategic business plan tying employees’ pay to organizational goals.
In May 2006, Mandell founded The p.i.n.k. Spirits Company and was its president and CEO. He developed, created and launched the first line of ultra-premium spirits infused with caffeine and guarana. The company was an award-winning enterprise that generated approximately $9 million in sales and was successfully sold in May 2009.
“David has a great wealth of experience in both government and business,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “With changes in the industry and the difficult economy, an entrepreneurial approach to business development and membership will greatly benefit AIA.”
David was counsel to the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board from 2001 to 2002. He also was an attorney at the law firm of Blank Rome in Philadelphia, Pa. from 1999-2001, where he specialized in complex environmental, securities and election law litigation.
Archive 2009
Archive 2009
A Landmark Approach in Addressing Business Ethics
The first International Forum on Business Ethical Conduct for the Aerospace and Defence Industry (IFBEC) took place today in Berlin.
The Forum, which was opened by Åke Svensson, Saab CEO and past President of the AeroSpace and Defense Industries Association of Europe, brought together major American and European companies from the aerospace and defence sectors, as well as industry representatives from other parts of the world. Representatives from major institutions such as the European Defence Agency, NATO, the OECD, and Ministries of Defence of EU Member States, as well as NGOs such as Transparency International also participated.
The forum strengthened exchange between industrial, institutional and state players within these key sectors, encouraging them to participate in the development of fair competition rules. It demonstrated the commitment of the aerospace and defence industry to business ethics. This forum, now entering its outreach phase will be a landmark approach for all sectors on how global companies that are competitors can create and share best practices in addressing ethical issues.
‘European aerospace and defence companies are committed to fostering ethical business conduct in their corporate business practices’, said François Gayet, Secretary General of the AeroSpace and Defense Industries Association of Europe (ASD). ‘Today’s meeting was the perfect setting for a constructive dialogue between our industry and major stakeholders.’
“The members of AIA are absolutely committed to the highest ethical business standards in the aerospace and defense industry,” said Marion C. Blakey, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. “The Forum is fostering a productive dialogue among all stakeholders, as well as an ethics commitment that will span the globe in a few short years.”
The International Forum on Business Ethical Conduct for the Aerospace and Defence Industry followed the signing of the Global Principles on Business Ethics by the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and the Aerospace Industries Association of America (AIA) on October 2 in Helsinki. The Global Principles focused on four main points: zero tolerance on corruption, management of consultants, management of conflicts of interest, respect for confidential information, and will eventually be extended to other areas.
Broad-Based Business Coalition Proposes a Modernized Export Control Regime
The Coalition for Security and Competitiveness (CSC) today released detailed policy recommendations for a 21st Century Technology Control Regime that will enhance both national security and U.S. competitiveness. The Coalition of leading industry and trade associations recommended a series of steps the Administration should take to modernize the export control system.
Specifically, the group proposes reform achieving the following objectives:
- Establish clear lines of responsibility in the commodity jurisdiction process;
- Promote effective compliance and enforcement;
- Improve outreach to and resources for U.S. industry, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises;
- Promote greater multilateral cooperation with allies and partners; and
- Improve the licensing system and increase transparency.
The recommendations each include a thorough, practical explanation of how they can be achieved.
“We believe changes must be made to the current system to make sure it is aligned with our current security needs and the realities of the global technological environment, and – as a practical matter – operates in a more predictable, transparent and efficient manner,” the Coalition stated in the letter, which was also sent to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, National Security Advisor General James Jones and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers.
The CSC sent a letter to President Obama and key administration officials yesterday outlining the recommendations and pushing for immediate action. The coalition has been actively engaged with the Obama Administration since its August 2009 announcement that an interagency taskforce would conduct a comprehensive review of U.S. export controls, which is currently under way. In October 2009, the Coalition submitted to the Administration a set of principles and implementation objectives to guide the reform effort.
“Taken together, our principles and recommendations would create a 21st century export control regime that protects critical technologies, safeguards our national security, spurs innovation and promotes economic growth,” the Coalition stated in yesterday’s letter to the President and key Administration officials.
The letter was sent on behalf of the Coalition’s member associations, which include the Aerospace Industries Association, the Association of American Exporters and Importers, the AMT - Association for Manufacturing Technology, The Business Roundtable, the Coalition for Employment Through Exports, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Industrial Fastener Institute, the Information Technology Industry Council, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Defense Industrial Association, the National Foreign Trade Council, the Satellite Industry Association, the Space Enterprise Council, The Space Foundation, TechAmerica and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
For a copy of the letter and recommendations, please visit www.securityandcompetitiveness.org.
About the Coalition:
The Coalition for Security and Competitiveness was launched on March 6, 2007, when it provided President Bush with initial recommendations for enhancing U.S. security and competitiveness through modernization of the export control system. Formed by eight leading associations, the Coalition seeks to modernize the export control system so that America is prepared to meet the security and economic challenges of the 21st century. More information about the coalition can be found online at www.securityandcompetitiveness.org.
Archive 2009
Lockheed Martin Awards HITCO to Produce Composite Components for F-35 Lightning II Program
HITCO Carbon Composites, Inc., Gardena, California, U.S.A., a subsidiary of SGL Group – The Carbon Company – announced today that Lockheed Martin has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to award HITCO a contract to produce wing skins and nacelle skins for the F-35 Lightning II Program.
“HITCO will utilize its state-of-the-art production and testing equipment, particularly the Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machine and the new large autoclave, to manufacture these components. We will also build on the processing expertise we have developed with BMI composite materials during our track record of performance with Lockheed Martin on the F-22 program. HITCO and its parent company, SGL Group, continue to invest in automated manufacturing capability at the Gardena site, enabling HITCO to achieve its goal of becoming a world-class Tier II supplier to the aerospace industry. We look forward to a long business relationship with Lockheed Martin on the F-35 program well beyond the initial five year contract term,” said Peter M. Hoffman, HITCO President.
HITCO will serve as a Strategic Competitive Supplier to Lockheed Martin and will support F-35 program requirements with Bismaleimide (BMI) composite materials for the upper and lower wing skins as well as nacelle skins using its Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) capabilities. This contract extends from Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) lots 4 through 8 for the aircraft carrier-based (CV) model of F-35, with deliveries of production hardware to Lockheed Martin spanning the period of 4th Quarter 2010 through 2016. The contract will also include LRIP lots 5 through 8 for the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, which encompasses the delivery period of 2011 to 2016.
The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, is a new single-seat, single- engine, supersonic stealth strike fighter capable of performing close air support, tactical bombing and air superiority missions. The aircraft is built in three different versions: a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft, a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant and an aircraft carrier-based (CV) model. The F-35 Lightning aircraft is designed and built by an industry team led by Lockheed Martin. Nine major partner nations including the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Norway and Denmark plan to acquire over 3,100 F-35 Lightning aircraft through 2035, making the F-35 one of the largest jet fighter programs in history.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
About HITCO Carbon Composites, Inc.
HITCO Carbon Composites, Inc. was founded in 1922 and manufactures advanced composite materials primarily for aerospace and defense applications. HITCO continues to be an innovative leader in the advancement of carbon composite technologies, and continues to strategically focus within SGL Group on new projects for aerospace/aircraft and defense applications.
About SGL Group – The Carbon Company
SGL Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon-based products. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group’s core competencies are its expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group’s carbon-based materials combine several unique properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength combined with low weight. Due to the paradigm shift in the use of materials as a result of the worldwide shortage of energy and raw materials, there is a growing demand for SGL Group’s highperformance materials and products from an increasing number of industries. Carbon and graphite products are used whenever other materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, plastics, wood etc. fail due to their limited properties. Products from SGL Group are used predominantly in the steel, aluminum, automotive, chemical and glass/ceramics industries. However, manufacturers in the semiconductor, battery, solar/wind energy, environmental protection, aerospace and defense industries as well as in the nuclear energy industry also figure among the Company’s customers.
With 40 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as a service network covering more than 100 countries, SGL Group is a company with a global presence. In 2008, the Company’s workforce of around 6,500 generated sales of €1.6 billion. The Company’s head office is located in Wiesbaden/Germany and North American headquarters are located in Charlotte/North Carolina.
Airshows
Industry Job Links
Are you looking for a career in the aerospace industry? AIA is here to help! View a list of current industry openings in the AIA dailyLead, job search engines of several government agencies, or visit the job search pages of our participating member companies:
Level Playing Field
FOCUS 3: Level the Playing Field
In today’s global economy, it is more important than ever for AIA’s members to compete on a level playing field. However, protectionist impulses both at home and abroad pose significant threats to our ability to achieve this goal.
Domestically, AIA will work with the U.S. government to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. export control policies and practices, ratify agreements that reinforce positive relations with our traditional friends and allies, and ensure that domestic concerns impacting foreign market players do not adversely affect our ability to compete abroad.
Internationally, AIA will advocate that our trading partners maintain a fair regulatory framework for all market players. AIA will work with its counterparts in Europe to continue to develop joint positions for effective implementation of the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals regulation (REACh). We will also establish international standards that address REACh data collection, tracking and reporting requirements.
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| Goal 1: Remove U.S. impediments to industry competitiveness overseas |
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| Goal 2: Increase open and fair business activity in foreign markets |
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Infrastructure
FOCUS 4: Strengthen U.S. Aerospace Infrastructure
U.S. aerospace infrastructure keeps Americans safe and drives the U.S economy. It includes a vast array of facilities, people, equipment, technology, research programs and operational programs. AIA is focused on achieving the following four goals to improve U.S. aerospace infrastructure:
- Collaborating with the administration and industry to improve access to and quality of the aerospace work force;
- Facilitating aerospace growth through improved infrastructure and prioritization of technology development and application;
- Sustaining, enhancing, and protecting infrastructure modernization and the industrial base; and,
- Advancing acquisition system reform.
Over the next several years, AIA’s efforts to improve the aerospace infrastructure will include accelerating deployment of NextGen, promoting industry R&D priorities and government-industry cooperative research venues and establishing policies and procedures supporting UAS integration into the national aerospace system. Moreover, AIA’s efforts will help sustain our U.S. industrial base by prioritizing and developing the core competencies critical to our national security; and by fostering programs to ensure that the U.S. attracts the professional and technical workforce needed to staff a robust and healthy aerospace industry. Finally, AIA is working to prevent government from creating unnecessary barriers to commercial technology and services, particularly in defense contracts.
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| Goal 1: Collaborate with the administration and industry to improve access to and quality of the aerospace workforce |
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| Goal 2: Facilitate aerospace growth through improved infrastructure and prioritization of technology development and application |
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| Goal 3: Sustain, enhance, and protect infrastructure modernization and the industrial base |
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| Goal 4: Advance reform of major elements of the acquisition system |
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Stewardship
FOCUS 2: Stewardship
“Stewardship” defines AIA’s commitment to the promotion of three fundamental industry principles:
- Operating with the highest ethical standards;
- Protecting the environment, and
- Enhancing aviation safety and security.
We will accomplish these goals by taking the following actions:
Ethical Business Standards
The widespread adoption of ethical business standards is critical to maintaining a strong national and international aerospace industry. In 2010, we look to expand upon successes achieved in this area.
Environmental Protection
The aerospace industry is committed to environmental protection. AIA works both domestically and internationally to: (1) support standards, regulations and legislation designed to reduce or mitigate environmental impact; (2) share leading industry best practices, and (3) advance programs such as NextGen. We will continue to promote aviation’s outstanding environmental record.
Aviation Safety, Security, and Performance
AIA is dedicated to improving aviation safety, security, and performance. Our goal is to benchmark leading industry best safety practices and policies and work with the government to develop consistent and efficient safety management and aerospace security systems. We will also offer guidance to the industry’s Supply Chain to better safeguard their information technology and computer systems from internal and external threats.
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| Goal 1: Demonstrate industry commitment to global best practices for ethical conduct of aerospace and defense business |
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| Goal 2: Implement aviation environmental solutions that ensure continued aviation growth |
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| Goal 3: Continue to improve aerospace safety and security |
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Economic Policy
FOCUS 1: Support Strong U.S. Economic Aerospace Policy
The actions of Congress and the Administration have a dramatic impact on the U.S. aerospace industry. For this reason, AIA supports policies and legislation that grow the industry. Specifically, our goals are to:
- Support major reform of the government procurement system
- Achieve tax and financial reform; and
- Support federal budget priorities that advance defense, aviation, and space.
We will achieve these goals by taking the following actions:
Support Major Reform of the Government Procurement System
On March 4, 2009 President Obama issued a memorandum on Government Contracting, calling on federal agencies to improve the effectiveness of their acquisition practices and the results achieved from their contracts. The President’s goals were to guard against inefficiency and waste and improve the government’s ability to obtain quality supplies and services on time and within budget. AIA supports the President’s agenda because achieving the reforms the President seeks will be good for America’s warfighter and taxpayer and will provide a fair and reasonable return to defense contractors.
AIA will work with the Administration, particularly the Department of Defense, to develop reasonable rules and contract policies that permit the rapid acquisition of goods and services, appropriately mitigate conflicts of interest and allow for transparency, protect intellectual property and sensitive information, and provide for contract types and contract incentives that produce quality goods and services at best value to the government and industry.
Achieving Tax and Financial Reform
Given the current economic climate, tax reform is one of the most important goals for AIA. We will advocate for the reduction of corporate taxes, which will stimulate short-term growth and encourage investment in R&D to promote long-term innovation and global leadership.
Supporting Federal Budgets that Advance Defense, Aviation, and Space
AIA supports federal budget priorities that advance defense, space and aviation infrastructure programs. AIA is increasingly concerned that industry’s voice is not adequately included in policy decisions. For this reason, we are asking that government officials communicate on a regular basis with AIA and our membership to ensure a better understanding of our member companies’ capabilities and concerns. In addition, appropriate funding levels for critical programs across all government agencies are an ongoing priority for AIA.
In 2009, we achieved significant growth in the US defense budget and the procurement account. However, we anticipate that other national priorities, pressure from rapidly rising personnel and operations costs, and the demands of current wars will greatly reduce future budget growth. As a result, the Pentagon’s ability to sustain and modernize the aerospace systems will be threatened. AIA will continue to push for increased defense spending, adequate funding for NextGen, and for programs that expand space exploration.
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| Goal 1: Support major reform of the government procurement system that benefits government and industry |
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| Goal 2: Advance tax and financial reforms that strengthen America’s economy and global competitiveness |
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| Goal 3: Promote federal budget priorities that ensure a strong aerospace industry |
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Strategic Plan
Overview
Our 2010 Strategic Plan ensures that the Aerospace Industries Association provides the highest quality representation for our members. In these challenging economic times, our main objective is to help our member companies grow their businesses.
We will accomplish this objective by:
- Promoting Strong U.S. Economic Policy;
- Enhancing Safety and Security, Protecting the Environment and Operating with the Highest Ethical Standards;
- Achieving a Level Playing Field for the Aerospace Industry, and
- Improving U.S. Aerospace Infrastructure.
To keep us on track, our plan establishes a detailed set of goals, targets, and critical milestones that will measure our progress and guarantee that all of our members and business sectors (national security, civil aviation, and space) are represented equally and effectively.
National Security
A strong defense underpins America’s national security. Military preeminence requires that we have superior weapons systems now and in the future. The aerospace and defense industrial base produces the weapons that protect our country, bolster our economic strength, support our allies and promote U.S. interests around the world. The aerospace and defense industry faces challenges to its ability to perform this role effectively. A global economic recession, domestic issues and two wars are straining the defense procurement accounts necessary to replace degraded weapons systems and to modernize aerospace defense forces for the future. It is critical that we do not allow spending on research and development and procurement to erode to a point that it threatens our future aerospace dominance. AIA will strongly advocate for a real increase in defense procurement dedicated to aerospace within a defense budget that is at least four percent of GDP.
At the same time, the current defense acquisition system inhibits the efficient and cost effective production of weapons systems. Our export control system -- designed for the Cold War -- constricts sales to our allies. Reforming the acquisition process and the export control system is critical to keeping weapons systems affordable, sustaining the companies that produce the world class systems, preserving millions of middle class manufacturing jobs and generally supporting our national economy. We will work for extensive, targeted reform of the defense acquisition system and the export control process.
Further, since the attacks of September 11, 2001, our homeland security responsibilities have expanded considerably. Information systems for commerce, government and finance must be protected. Our companies increasingly provide support to the nation’s homeland security system, and our strategic plan reflects this throughout.
Ultimately, our industry’s success rests on the competence and dedication of our workforce. That workforce is aging and, if current trends continue, we will not have sufficient qualified workers to replace them. Our companies are working to attract young people qualified in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to enable the U.S. to continue to lead the world in providing aerospace systems to military and other national users. This year, our companies will work to coordinate the efforts of all organizations so that we may identify and support the programs most effective in improving STEM, and they will join with the administration in supporting a national STEM effort.
Civil Aviation
The civil aviation industry is struggling to get back on its feet. This year saw a small uptick in large commercial aircraft orders, but business and general aviation aircraft sales are still well below normal. The global economic crisis continues to threaten civil aerospace manufacturing. As a result, our plan focuses on those areas most important to the health, recovery and growth of civil aviation. Future growth in the civil sector will depend on our ability to meet growing concerns about climate change; accelerate the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen); develop a roadmap for the near-term integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system, and promote fair international agreements that allow our companies to compete globally.
Many experts predict commercial air travel demand will surge and more capacity will be needed in 2010. Growth in air travel, although welcome news to operators and manufacturers, will not be sustainable unless there is an air traffic system capable of handling additional aircraft. AIA will continue to push for the acceleration of NextGen as the clearest path to a more efficient and accommodating system. This effort will require continued close coordination between AIA, FAA, Congress and the civil aviation industry. Our goal will be not only to help accelerate a new air traffic control system that permits our members to deliver more aircraft, but to also facilitate the efficiencies that will allow our customers to operate in ever more environmentally friendly ways.
AIA’s efforts in these areas, and our work to integrate and accelerate UAS into our civil airspace system, must be conducted in close cooperation with regulators and air navigation service providers worldwide. By working across borders to secure global harmonization of standards and regulations we will ensure a truly international marketplace for our products. AIA will continue to fight for fair international business practices and open trade agreements – critically important ingredients to the industry’s economic recovery and growth.
Space
Space systems are a vital and growing part of our nation’s infrastructure. We depend on the space sector for seamless global communications, GPS, intelligence gathering, missile defense and warning, weather monitoring, and earth observation. Space systems provide datalink and communications capability to our rapidly expanding fleet of military unmanned aircraft systems and deliver worldwide capability for our operations in cyberspace. The challenge is a space environment that is increasingly crowded and contested. The U.S. Air Force currently tracks over 18,000 man-made objects orbiting the Earth, and that number is growing rapidly. As our dependence on space assets increases, protection of our critical space infrastructure must be a priority.
AIA will continue working to educate policymakers about the threats posed by a crowded and contested space environment. Our efforts to support greater space situational awareness, space system reconstitution and debris management are continuing. Moreover, because our space industrial base and workforce depend on robust and stable government budgets, AIA will steadfastly support reliable funding across the civil, defense and intelligence space sectors.
The space sector is also crucial for advancing technological development, expanding our knowledge of our Earth and the universe and maintaining the international leadership position of the United States. For these reasons, it is important that government decision-makers understand how important the space sector is to our country and our economy. AIA strongly supports efforts to maintain a robust U.S. commitment to space science and exploration. Additionally, we will continue efforts to create a level playing field for U.S. space manufacturers and to ensure its competitiveness worldwide.
The Unseen Cost: Industrial Base Consequences of Defense Strategy Choices
From America’s earliest days, the U.S. defense industrial base has been a critical part of the nation’s economic and military power grid. The government relied upon a combination of arsenals and private industry for much of our history. However, since World War II, virtually all of America’s modern military equipment has been manufactured by private industry.
Read more at the Armed Forces Journal.
A Strategic and Economic Review of Aerospace Exports
Decisions on the Future Direction and Funding for NASA
Congress Passes Commercial Space Launch Indemnification Extension
Congress has taken a major step for the U.S. commercial space launch industry by extending government indemnification of launches for another three years.
“Elimination of government indemnification would have driven launch business overseas,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “In 2008 only six of the 28 worldwide commercial launches were conducted by U.S. companies, and America can’t afford to lose more of that business.”
The indemnification regime, set to expire on December 31, helps protect U.S. commercial launch services providers against catastrophic third-party liability claims resulting from FAA-licensed launch activities. Payment of claims is not automatic and no funds are committed to this regime. Congressional approval is required for any payment.
“As space launch capabilities have been developed by other nations our share of commercial launches has decreased significantly, Blakey said. “Further loss of our commercial launch share could impact civil and national security payloads because the same U.S. companies also launch under government contracts.”
While today’s passage marks a very important step, AIA looks forward to working with Congress to make the indemnification regime permanent. Since launch manifests can extend out for several years, the regime maintains continuity in the business environment and strengthens U.S. international competitiveness.
“The indemnification regime provides a level playing field in a very competitive global space launch market, since every other space faring nation provides some form of government indemnification to commercial launchers,” said Blakey.
Year-End Review and Forecast
Year-End Review and Forecast
Supplier Toolkits
Sypris Receives Follow On Awards for Space Electronics Work
Sypris Electronics LLC, a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions, Inc., announced that it has been awarded approximately $5 million in follow-on orders to manufacture electronic components for multiple commercial and government satellite systems. These next generation systems provide global satellite communications (SATCOM) and connectivity for commercial and military platforms used by the United States and other countries.
“Since opening our dedicated space facility in 2005, we have aided in the successful launches of 11 national and international SATCOM systems,” stated John Walsh, President of Sypris Electronics. “Our demonstrated experience, dedication to quality and award winning-facility have positioned us as one of the go-to companies within the Aerospace and Defense market for high reliability electronic systems, from design through assembly and delivery."
Sypris Electronics is a world-class, integrated systems solutions provider. Our ruggedized electronic products, advanced engineering services and complete electronic manufacturing capabilities are aligned to provide our customers the best people, practices and technologies to continually exceed expectations. We consistently promote an agile, innovative culture by strategically partnering with leading-edge technology companies, agencies and universities. With over 40 years of experience, Sypris Electronics is proud to develop, manufacture and integrate leading technologies into mission critical electronics systems that secure America’s interest. Visit www.sypriselectronics.com for additional company information.
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Year-End 2009 eUpdate
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Speeches & Testimony
Aerospace Industry Remains Strong Through Downturn
Aerospace industry sales will increase in 2009 and 2010 demonstrating the strength of the U.S. aerospace industry in today’s weak economy, AIA announced Wednesday at its 45th Year-end Review and Forecast Luncheon.
“There are decreases in some aerospace categories,” said AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey, “however, our projection for continued overall sales growth is a solid barometer that the aerospace industry boosts trade and generates thousands of high-paying jobs across the country.”
AIA is reporting total aerospace sales in 2009 will be slightly more than $214 billion, a record for the sixth straight year. Military aircraft leads the growth curve while civil aircraft, missiles and the space sectors also posted increases.
While shipments continued to increase this year, orders and backlog are projected to drop, reflecting the continuing economic turmoil. AIA projects that sales growth will slow in 2011.
“It’s tough to see that sales line ease off, but we don’t think the dip will be too deep or last too long,” said Blakey. “A game changer such as the Boeing 787 airliner, as well as pent up demand for environmentally-friendly and fuel efficient aircraft will reinvigorate the aerospace industry and drive demand for years to come.”
“Bottom line,” said Blakey, “the aerospace industry is sound and able to absorb some punishment from the economy.
Exports dipped 17 percent in 2009 and imports decreased 34 percent. However, the trade surplus remains a solid $54 billion, the largest of any manufacturing sector. Employment is forecast to drop two percent in 2009 to 641,100, the first decline since 2003.
The employment decline is not nearly as severe as in other industries, Blakey noted. Aerospace employment fell by four percent from last year to the third quarter of 2009, while jobs in manufacturing overall dropped by 11.7 percent
Aerospace Industry: An Economic Stimulus
The Administration and Congress should look to the aerospace industry as it develops strategies to spur the economic recovery and create jobs, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said Wednesday.
“The aerospace industry is being overlooked as a job generator,” said Blakey. “Our benefits are global and don’t end at the water’s edge.”
In her remarks to nearly 400 members of the news media, government and industry at the Association’s 45th annual Year-end Review and Forecast Luncheon, Blakey said that investment in aerospace is a proven job and economic multiplier.
Estimates place the total number of direct and indirect jobs generated by an approximate $6 billion investment in NextGen equipment at more than 150,000 through 2012, with 30,000 jobs generated the first year.
“Government incentives for NextGen will allow the system to come online up to six years ahead of schedule,” continued Blakey. “Americans will start to enjoy travel again as the system becomes more efficient, and huge fuel savings will make us better stewards of the environment.”
In her remarks, Blakey also commended the new defense team for recognizing the importance of a DoD-industry partnership and for its commitment to minimize the adverse impacts of policy choices on the industrial base.
Expressing concern about the future of U.S. preeminence in space, she said that unless we increase NASA’s budget, we will be relying on the Russians for a ride to the International Space Station.
“That is not an exaggeration,” said Blakey, adding, “AIA is working on a proposal for a new strategy to shore up support for NASA and our long-term leadership in space.”
AIA launched the first-ever National Aerospace Day this year and is planning a week-long event in September 2010 that will broaden and amplify the message that aerospace directly benefits our economy, national security and workforce.
“Aerospace is very much about reaching for the stars,” said Blakey. “The innovation of aerospace pioneers runs like a strand of DNA down through history to our present-day pathfinders. I’m confident that our long-term outlook is bright.”
AIA Elects Officers, Board of Governors for 2010
The Aerospace Industries Association Board of Governors has elected Scott Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Textron Inc., as its Chairman for 2010. Donnelly will begin his term Jan. 1, succeeding Robert J. Stevens, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation. James F. Albaugh was elected AIA’s Vice Chairman. Albaugh is Executive Vice President of the The Boeing Company, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes
The Board re-elected Marion C. Blakey as AIA’s President and Chief Executive Officer as well as AIA’s Chief Financial Officer, Ginette C. Colot, as Secretary-Treasurer.
Additional members of the 2010 AIA Board of Governors Executive Committee are:
Wes Bush, Chief Executive Officer & President, Northrop Grumman Corporation
Charles A. Gray, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Frontier Electronic Systems Corporation (Board representative to the Supplier Management Council)
David P. Hess, President, Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies Corporation
Dawne S. Hickton, Vice Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, RTI International Metals, Inc.
Linda Hudson, President & Chief Executive Officer, BAE Systems, Inc.
David L. Joyce, President & Chief Executive Officer, GE Aviation, General Electric Company
Jay L. Johnson, President & Chief Executive Officer, General Dynamics Corporation
Howard L. Lance, Chairman of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer, Harris Corporation
Steven R. Loranger, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, ITT Corporation
Tim O. Mahoney, President & Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell Aerospace
Robert J. Stevens, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Michael T. Strianese, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, L-3 Communications Corporation
William H. Swanson, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Raytheon Company
Additional members of the 2010 AIA Board of Governors are:
David C. Adams, Chief Operating Officer, Curtiss-Wright Corporation
William Ballhaus, President & Chief Executive Officer, DynCorp International
Robert P. Barker, President, Parker Aerospace, and Executive Vice President & Operating Officer, Parker Hannifin Corporation
Derek Baggerly, President & Chief Executive Officer, ESIS, Inc.
David E. Berges, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Hexcel Corporation
Robert T. Brady, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, MOOG Inc.
James Callan, General Manager, Timken Aerospace Transmissions, LLC Purdy Systems
Joseph Carleone, President & Chief Executive Officer, American Pacific Corporation
Thomas J. Cassidy, President, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Joan M. Davies, Vice President, Aerospace & Defense, EDS
Elmer L. Doty, President & Chief Executive Officer, Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
Thomas A. Gendron, President & Chief Executive Officer, Woodward Governor Company
Paul L. Graziani, Chief Executive Officer, Analytical Graphics, Inc.
Richard Greaves, Managing Director, Meggitt
James M. Guyette, President & Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce North America Inc.
Walter P. Havenstein, Chief Executive Officer, Science Applications International Corporation
Joel Hinzman, Senior Director, Federal Affairs, Oracle USA, Inc.
Raanan Horowitz, Chief Executive Officer, Elbit Systems of America
Richard C. Ill, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Triumph Group, Inc.
Clayton M. Jones, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Neal J. Keating, Chairman of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer, Kaman Aerospace Corporation
Robert J. Khoury, Chairman & Retired Chief Executive Officer, B/E Aerospace
Marshall O. Larsen, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Goodrich Corporation
Steve Larson, Vice President of Strategy & Technology, Esterline Technologies
Armand F. Lauzon, President, Chromalloy
Terence W. Lyons, President & Chief Executive Officer, AmSafe Global Holdings, Inc.
Thomas S. Marotta, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Marotta Controls, Inc.
Michael J. McGuire, Vice President, Breconridge Manufacturing
Richard L. McNeel, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lord Corporation
Gregory Milzcik, President & Chief Executive Officer, Barnes Group, Inc.
Bradley J. Morton, President, Aerospace Group, Eaton Corporation
J. Scott Neish, President, Aerojet
Anthony C. Patti, Global Aerospace and Defense Executive, CSC
Anthony Reardon, Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board, Ducommun Incorporated
Raymond H. Siegfried, Vice Chairman, OEM Sales & Strategic Resources, The NORDAM Group
David P. Storch, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, AAR Corporation
Charlie Stuff, Executive Vice President, Cobham
Jeffrey L. Turner, Chief Executive Officer, Spirit AeroSystems
Bruce N. Whitman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Flight Safety International Inc.
Archive 2007
Overcoming Barriers to Public Service
 |
The current process of filling senior politically appointed leadership positions in government is not serving our best interests and is repelling the nation's best candidates from public service. Members of the AIA Legal Committee have put together this report – Overcoming Barriers to Public Service – which identifies specific problems keeping highly qualified people from working in important government posts and proposes specific fixes. Publication date: October 2007 |
Industry Input to the OSTP on U.S. Earth Observation Policy
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It is in the national and economic security interest of the United States to maintain an independent global Earth observation capacity (to provide measurements and monitoring determined to be critical to U.S. interests in global information and attendant infrastructure). Given the documented experience and well established utility of Earth observations from sensors deployed on, over, and under the Earth’s surface, the purpose of this policy is to optimize the U.S. benefits, and provision of, observations to support established and evolving research and operational science applications for society by minimizing systems effects on the data being collected. Additionally this policy is important so U.S. leadership can establish a global information infrastructure and be recognized as a major contributor to this infrastructure into the future. Publication date: September 2007 |
Materiel Readiness Modeling and Simulation Capability
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An AIA Product Support Committee working group published this report for the Defense Department examining the feasibility of establishing department-wide predictive modeling and analysis capability for weapon system life cycle outcome assessments. These modeling and simulation tools would predict resource-to-outcome sensitivities for such materiel readiness drivers as materiel reliability, materiel down time and total lifecycle costs. The working group determined that such a capability is not only viable but already being applied to some program development and sustainment phases. With this report, the working group details its recommended two-phase implementation plan to address this issue. Publication date: August 2007 |
Life Cycle Sustainment: Accomplishing Performance Driven Outcomes through Condition Based Maintenance and Continuous Process Improvement
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DoD logistics operations underpin the sustainment of military material readiness. These operations involve the efforts of over 1 million military service members and DoD civilians and are estimated to cost more than $114 billion in FY 2006. DoD material readiness sustainment value streams range from the procurement of consumable parts for minor repairs to the overhaul of entire weapon systems. These value streams involve many diverse organizations, from large industrial activities to forward-deployed units. Properly incentivized through performance based contracting vehicles, Industry can provide life cycle sustainment improvements that yield year-on-year DoD operational cost reductions while providing industry with time based ROI opportunities, through application of proven CPI capabilities at acceptable levels of risk. This paper explores this possibility. Publication Date: May 2007 |
Archive 2008
A Special Report: Launching the 21st Century American Aerospace Workforce
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The long-term vitality of the U.S. aerospace workforce is a priority issue for AIA. This report is a starting point for the aerospace industry to collectively recommend and develop solutions to overcome the problem. And it is an invitation for government and like-minded stakeholders to partner with us in designing those solutions. Publication Date: December 2008 |
U.S. Defense Acquisition: An Agenda for Positive Reform
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There has been substantial expansion of acquisition-related legislation in the national defense authorization acts passed during the past 10 years. Since the late 1990s, the number of acquisition provisions put in place by Congress has increased by three-to-four fold. In the past two years alone, the number has approached 100. At the same time, there is a trend towards budget growth and workforce reduction, which impacts the ability of acquisition officials to operate efficiently and in compliance with all rules and laws. AIA believes that now is the time to address those imbalances in the defense acquisition system and take action for positive reform. This report provides an overview of the acquisition system, and offers recommendations for improvement. Publication Date: November 2008 |
A Recommendation to the Department of Defense to Adopt the S1000D – the International Specification for Technical Documentation
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There is industry consensus that S1000D ought to be the preferred specification for all technical documentation procured by the Department of Defense. S1000D addresses and corrects many problems related to technical data management and concurrency. Included in those problems is the inability to keep training content current with authoritative technical sources. S1000D enables all technical documentation in support of a common system, including training, to be accurate and current throughout a system's life cycle process. This white paper outlay the benefits of S1000D. Publication Date: October 2008 |
Launch into Aerospace
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Alarmed over the critical need to develop the next generation of workers for America's aerospace industry, AIA's member companies have committed to an agenda to strengthen the workforce of the future in this report. "Launch into Aerospace" identifies the goals and actions the industry will take to address the workforce challenge. Publication Date: September 2008 |
U.S. Defense Modernization: Today's Choices for Tomorrow's Readiness
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With a new administration and Congress taking office soon, AIA is working to ensure that policymakers understand the major questions they will face next year. This report provides specific recommendations and cost of failure consequences for nine weapon system sectors in addition to logistics and science and technology activities. It details the policy choices outlined in the earlier AIA paper, "U.S. Defense Modernization: Readiness Now and for the Future". Publication Date: August 2008 |
Survey Documenting Stakeholder Expectation of the Transition to Lead-Free Electronics in Aerospace and High Performance Electronics
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There is an apparent lack of industry information or consensus as to when major lead-free events will occur in the global electronics industry, for example, when can we expect significant unavailability of lead-bearing components for use in aerospace systems, or, when will avionics assembly facilities face significant pressure to implement lead-free assembly alloys? Although there are certainly many qualifications and uncertainties regarding the available information, it may be worthwhile for the AIA-GEIA-AMC Lead-free Electronics in Aerospace Project Working Group (LEAP WG) to make an effort to develop a lead-free timeline. A “timeline team” was convened by the AIA LEAP Working Group and after several meetings established an approach which took the form of a survey. This survey addresses key issues and questions framed in a time period of the next one to two years, then out to five and finally ten years and beyond. Publication Date: August 2008 |
U.S. Defense Modernization: Readiness Now and for the Future
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U.S. military readiness is at risk due to rising defense operations and maintenance costs and ballooning personnel expenditures. This report examines dynamics within the defense budget that threaten future readiness, and outlines the consequences of using Defense Department investment accounts as a discretionary bill payer. Publication Date: April 2008 |
Engineering Data Interoperability - A Standards Based Approach
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Across the aerospace industry, the need for efficient data exchange has never been greater. Aerospace companies have increasingly focused on the role of systems integrator, relying on partners and suppliers to provide significant portions of their aircraft designs. Meeting the requirement for integration and collaboration, however, has been costly and time-consuming given the disparate set of applications and methods typically employed.presents. This White Paper summarizes the AIA Engineering Data Interoperability Group's activities, their related findings, and their recommendations. Publication date: March 2008 |
How the Aerospace Industry is Facing the Lead-free Challenge
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The Lead-free in Aerospace Project-Working Group has released a white paper on European Union directives that, in 2006, banned certain chemicals and compounds crucial to electronic equipment and aerospace production. The group; which includes AIA, the Avionics Maintenence Conference and the Government Electronics and Information Technology Association; summarizes guidelines and standards to meet the challenges of the EU rules. Publication date: February 2008 |
Economics
Keep abreast of the current industry picture with research and statistics from AIA's Research Center.
eBusiness
eBusiness transactional standards for data exchange between trading partners and related eBusiness material.
Aviation and the Environment
The international aviation industry is making an extraordinary investment in taking environmental performance to the next level. See what AIA and our member companies are doing to "go green."
Export Control Modernization
View the full background and updates on AIA's efforts towards this top priority for the association.
Space Industry
The U.S. economy is directly tied to space infrastructure. Uninterrupted commerce, communications, weather tracking, and entertainment requires sustaining investment for today and for the future.
International Supply Chain Security
AIA member companies have cooperated to develop a program that will assist your company, other international aerospace suppliers, and U.S. importers in complying with U.S. C-TPAT supply chain security goals - see how we've accomplished this.
Workforce
A shortage of trained technical graduates has reached a national crisis level affecting every sector of industry. Find out more about the issue, and what AIA is doing to help.
Resources
Links to other industry-related web sites.
Aerospace Jobs
Are you looking for a career in the aerospace industry? AIA is here to help!
Reports & White Papers
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Upcoming Events
March 16-18, 2010
Tucson, AZ
March 17-19, 2010
San Antonio, TX
March 23-28, 2010
Santiago, Chile
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March 16-18, 2010
Tucson, AZ
March 17-19, 2010
San Antonio, TX
March 23-28, 2010
Santiago, Chile
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Who to Contact
Media Contact:
Alexis Allen
(703)358-1075
alexis.allen[at]aia-aerospace.org
Related Links
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Upcoming Events
March 16-18, 2010
Tucson, AZ
March 17-19, 2010
San Antonio, TX
March 23-28, 2010
Santiago, Chile
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March 16-18, 2010
Tucson, AZ
March 17-19, 2010
San Antonio, TX
March 23-28, 2010
Santiago, Chile
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March 16-18, 2010
Tucson, AZ
March 17-19, 2010
San Antonio, TX
March 23-28, 2010
Santiago, Chile
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