Tag Archives: outlook

Trump Calls for Space Force

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by Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International.

Official portrait of President Donald J. Trump, Friday, October 6, 2017. (Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead)

In a move designed to disrupt the military space establishment, President Donald Trump called for the creation of the Space Force as a “separate but equal” branch of the U.S. military. While Trump has mentioned the creation of a Space Force previously, the June 18, 2018, announcement came as a surprise. The Department of Defense and the White House both opposed earlier congressional plans to separate space operations from the rest of the Air Force. Continue reading →

Airbus and Boeing Report May 2018 Commercial Aircraft Orders and Deliveries

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Boeing deliveries on track to meet full-year target as Airbus’ struggles continue

by J. Kasper Oestergaard, European Correspondent.

On May 17 it was reported that Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), one of the world’s largest aircraft lessors, is in talks to buy a total of 400 jets from Airbus and Boeing. The government-controlled firm is interested in buying narrowbody Airbus A320neos and Boeing 737 MAXs. Photo: The Boeing Co

Boeing and Airbus delivered 68 and 51 commercial jets in May 2018, respectively, compared to 56 and 60 deliveries during the same month last year. May is traditionally an average month for deliveries. For Airbus, it was another disappointing month dogged by insufficient engine deliveries as suppliers Pratt & Whitney and General Electric struggle to keep up with demand. In 2017, Boeing delivered 763 jets (748 in 2016), in line with company expectations, while Airbus surpassed its delivery target of 700 jets by handing over 718 aircraft during 2017 (688 in 2016).

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Historic Summit Has Major Implications for U.S. Military

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by Shaun McDougall, Military Markets Analyst, Forecast International.

Source: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

The historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim
Jong-un in Singapore resulted in the signing of a joint statement that carries significant implications for relations between the two countries, and for U.S. military relations in the region.  The statement is big on ambition but short on details.  Most significantly, Kim “reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” the statement reads.  The two leaders also committed to establishing new diplomatic relations, while Trump committed to providing security guarantees to North Korea.        Continue reading →

Hanwha Restructures Aerospace and Defense Ops to Improve Its Prospects

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by Richard Pettibone, Aerospace & Defense Companies Analyst, Forecast International. 

K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. Source: Hanwha Land Systems

With a number of aerospace- and defense-related acquisitions now in its portfolio, Hanwha has begun restructuring itself to better serve these markets.  This latest effort marks the company’s return to its defense-related roots, echoing its formation during the Korean War as a gunpowder producer. Continue reading →

Venezuela’s Maduro Wins Second Term in Disputed Election

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by Bill Ostrove, International Military Markets Analyst, Forecast International.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro . Source: Wikipedia/Valter Campanato/ABr.

Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro will serve a second term in office after winning the presidential election on May 20.  With 92 percent of voting centers reporting, Maduro has won 68 percent of the vote. His closest competitor, Henri Falcón, won only 21 percent. Continue reading →

World General Aviation Aircraft Shipments Up 3% in First Quarter 2018

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U.S. Manufacturers Deliver 315 Aircraft in First Quarter – Up Four Units from Q1 2017

by J. Kasper Oestergaard, European Correspondent.

Minnesota-based Cirrus Aircraft had a strong first quarter and delivered 74 of its smaller but very popular piston-engine aircraft, up 29 percent from 57 in Q1 2017. Shipments of the SR20 boasted the largest increase and more than doubled in Q1 2018. Photo Courtesy of Cirrus Design Corporation

According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), in the first quarter of 2018, manufacturers reported both higher deliveries and higher revenues than in the same quarter in 2017. Fixed-wing general aviation aircraft manufacturers delivered 447 aircraft worldwide in Q1 2018, up 2.8 percent from 435 in Q1 2017. Revenues increased 3.3 percent to $3.8 billion, mainly due to higher revenues reported by Bombardier, Textron, and several smaller manufacturers. Continue reading →

Merkel’s Comments Bring Germany’s Defense Budget Clash Under the Microscope

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by Dan Darling, International Military Markets Analyst, Forecast International.

Following the move by U.S. President Donald Trump on May 8 to declare that the United States would withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran nuclear deal, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated – for the second time in a year – that Europe can no longer count on the United States for its protection.  Continue reading →

Airbus and Boeing Report April 2018 Commercial Aircraft Orders and Deliveries

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Deliveries slow as Boeing secures major American Airlines Dreamliner order

by J. Kasper Oestergaard, European Correspondent.

On April 10, 2018, American Airlines placed an order for 47 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including options for 28 additional aircraft. At the same time, American Airlines canceled an old US Airways order for 22 Airbus A350-900s. (Boeing illustration) (PRNewsfoto/Boeing)

Boeing and Airbus delivered 44 and 51 commercial jets in April 2018, respectively, compared to 52 and 46 deliveries during the same month last year. April is traditionally a slow month for deliveries. In 2017, Boeing delivered 763 jets (748 in 2016), in line with company expectations, while Airbus surpassed its delivery target of 700 jets by handing over 718 aircraft during 2017 (688 in 2016). Continue reading →

Funding Stream Doubles for U.S. Navy Tactical Data Links Program

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by Greg Giaquinto, Electronic Systems Analyst, Forecast International.

BAE Systems will provide new technology called the Network Tactical Common Data Link System, which will allow the U.S. Navy to share large quantities of critical ISR data across platforms and networks. (Photo: BAE Systems)

The U.S. Navy’s need to exchange information rapidly is fueling an $800 million funding stream for tactical datalinks over the next 10 years (2018-2027).  This projection from Forecast International is nearly double the amount it forecast for the decade 2017-2026, in part the result of the Tactical Data Link program’s new Network Tactical Common Data Link project. Continue reading →

Yahsat to Acquire Thuraya, Making Satellite Investment More Likely

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by Bill Ostrove, Space Systems Analyst, Forecast International.

Yahsat Ground Station or Teleport. Source – Yahsat

 

Yahsat has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Thuraya. Both companies are based in the United Arab Emirates. Yahsat primarily provides fixed satellite services (FSS), while Thuraya chiefly provides mobile satellite services (MSS). Continue reading →