BAE SYSTEMS
BAE SYSTEMS is a multinational defense products manufacturer.
It was formed on November 30, 1999 with the merger of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems, which was made up of several divisions of GEC-Marconi in the UK and overseas.
It was widely anticipated the British Aerospace would merge with GermanyÃÂÃÂs DASA to form a pan-European aerospace giant, however BAe chose instead to merge with MarconiÃÂÃÂs defense electronics business.
Following that decision DASA instead merged with Aerospatiale to create the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS. This group was joined by SpainÃÂÃÂs CASA following an agreement in December 1999.
With almost total consolidation on the European continent BAe turned its attention to America, for example acquiring Lockheed Martin Control Systems, (LCMS) which produces controls for the B-2 bomber, the C-17 Globemaster strategic transport, the F/A-18, the Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 commercial jets.
Of all the company's activites the most profitable is the Al Yamamah contracts to supply and support the Royal Saudi Air Force. This deal produces nearly half of the company's profits, ÃÂã411m ($700m) out of ÃÂã980m in 2003.
In June 2003, rumors started to circulate about a possible merger with either Boeing (who acquired BAE SYSTEMS's partner McDonnell Douglas in 1997) or Lockheed Martin. Later that year the company's Chief Executive denied any possibility of a North American merger on the grounds of "conflict of interest" pertaining to the affiliation with the Airbus consortium.
It remains to be seen how the arrival of a new Chairman will affect this position. The appeal of a link with an American company is irresistible as the U.S. defense market is by far the largest in the world. The company already has $9Bn worth of sales to the Pentagon and any further move into the American market would yield yet more. This is particularly the case if BAE can win prime-contractor status on a major project.
In late March 2004, after more than 30 years with the company, BAEÃÂÃÂs longstanding Chairman Sir Richard Evans announced his successor. Dick Olver, Deputy Chief-Executive BP will succeed Sir Richard in July.
This appointment comes at a significant time, stock market confidence is still recovering from a shock profit warning in December 2002. This was due to cost overruns of the Nimrod MR4 maritime reconnaissance/attack aircraft and the Astute SSN projects. BAE took a hit of $1.369Bn on these projects.
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BAE Systems is in an enviable position. They either lead or have a major stake in some of the most high profile, high technology civil and military aerospace and maritime projects in the world. Some examples are;
Products
This stealthy, supersonic multi-role fighter is to be designated the F-35. BAE brings experience in advanced manufacturing techniques and STOVL operations
Produced in collaboration with DASA and CASA (now part of the EADS Aerospace Group), and Alenia (formerly Aeritalia) The Typhoon is a highly agile air-superiority fighter with a secondary ground attack capability.
A Multi-Role Combat Aircraft the Tornado is another European collaboration and model for the Eurofighter project. The Tornado was initially developed for low level penetration of the Warsaw Pact countries delivering both conventional (e.g. runway denial munitions) and nuclear weapons. (e.g. RAF WE177.) The Tornado was later developed by British Aerospace as a long-range air defence interceptor. In this mission the Tornado F3 was to attack Soviet strategic bombers in the UK Air Defence Region (UKADR) before they could launch their stand-off missiles at targets within the UK.
These vessels will replace the UK's existing Invincible class aircraft carriers. Estimates put the displacement of these ships at 60,000 tonnes - three times the displacement of the carriers they will replace and the largest aircraft carriers after the US Navy's Nimitz class carriers.
Holding a 20% stake in Airbus, BAE produces all the wings of the Airbus family. Airbus accounts for more than 20% of BAE's profits. BAE's Airbus UK is at present working on the wings for the massive A380, the consortium's double-decked jumbo.
Developed into Avro RJ Series. A commercial feederliner. BAE ceased production of this jet as a result of the downturn in commercial aviation following the September 11, 2001 attacks on Washington and New York. It was the last jet aircraft to be wholly designed and built in the UK.
Aircraft carrier-ready Hawk variant for the US Navy
The Hawk and its variants is one of the most successful advanced trainer and lightweight ground attack aircraft.
BAE's Harrier has been produced in many variants. The current types in operation are the Sea Harrier FA2 (soon to be retired) and the Harrier II/GR7. The Harrier II is produced jointly by BAE and Boeing. This latest aircraft takes advantage of a more powerful Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine and advanced composites to offer twice the payload/range capability of the original Harrier.
New generation of nuclear attack submarine (SSN) for the Royal Navy. The order for the initial batch of three ships was place in 1997, with Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering, since absorbed into BAE.
Designed to replace the Royal Navy's Type 42 destroyer, these new ships will carry out the roles of fleet protection and protection of friendly forces in hostile territory using the PAAMS missile system.Affiliations
See also
| List of Aircraft - Aircraft Manufacturers - Aircraft Engines - Aircraft Engine Manufacturers |
| Airlines - Air Forces - Aircraft Weapons - Missiles - Years in Aviation |
External links