. Military Space News .
MILPLEX
German official moots A400M cancellations

by Staff Writers
 Frankfurt (AFP) March 19, 2009
 German Deputy Defence Minister Ruediger Wolf said Thursday that cancelling orders for the problem-plagued Airbus A400M military transport plane was a serious option.

Wolf told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that to bring pressure on Airbus' parent company EADS, "cancellation must be a serious option after a delay of three to six months."

The A400M has been plagued by setbacks, with the aircraft's first flight postponed to a date that has yet to be determined because of engine problems.

Wolf, who was quoted indirectly by Sueddeutsche Zeitung, said it was more realistic to extend to six months a moratorium accorded to EADS to get the programme back on track.

Countries that have ordered the plane, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey, have suggested delaying from April 1 to July 1 the date on which they can begin to cancel contracts.

The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) was supposed to get the transport plane in the air for an inaugural flight in January 2008, and the seven countries await a total of 180 A400Ms.

On Wednesday, French defence official Laurent Collet-Billon said Paris might reduce the number of planes it has ordered.

France has signed on for 50 aircraft, while Germany has ordered 60.

Share This Article With Planet Earth
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit
YahooMyWebYahooMyWeb GoogleGoogle FacebookFacebook



Related Links
 The Military Industrial Complex at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com


Memory Foam Mattress Review
SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS
 Solar Energy Solutions
Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ...
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


MILPLEX
Gates opposes Boeing, EADS splitting tanker contract
 Washington (AFP) March 18, 2009
 US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday he was opposed to splitting a 35-billion-dollar air refueling tanker contract between Boeing and a EADS/Northrup Grumman alliance.






SUPERPOWERS
  • US Senator: US, Russia must work through 'strained' ties
  • 'Opportunity' for US missile deal: Russian spokesman
  • EEurope stirring up conflict: Russian NATO ambassador
  • Gates recommends admiral as NATO commander

    • NUKEWARS
  • British minister urges NKorea to drop rocket plan
  • NKorea may launch several missiles: Detains US Journalists
  • NKorea assembly to meet one day after missile test
  • Syria's Assad ready to mediate with Iran: report

    • MISSILE NEWS
  • Russia test fires cruise missiles: reports
  • Analysis: China exports new SAM missile
  • NKorea missile threat may be negotiating tactic: Lee
  • US to urge Russia not to sell missiles to Iran: Clinton

    • MISSILE DEFENSE
  • Boeing And US Army Collaborate On Space And Missile Defense Research
  • Czech opposition to US missile system grows: poll
  • Japan may deploy interceptors for NKorean launch: govt
  • In test, US intercepts short-range missile: Pentagon

    • AEROSPACE
  • State takes control of China's first private airline: report
  • Troubled private Chinese airline says president missing
  • Cathay Pacific lost 1.1 billion dollars in 2008
  • National hypersonic science centers named

    • UAV NEWS
  • FCS Unmanned Vehicles Complete Preliminary Design Reviews
  • US says it shot down Iranian drone north of Baghdad
  • Pakistan complains of 'alienation' from US drone strikes
  • USAF MQ-1 Predators Achieve 500,000 Flight Hours

    • IRAQ WARS
  • US Army will end extended tours for soldiers: Gates
  • Safer Iraqi cities as troops withdraw: US commander
  • Iraq/Afghan War News: Iraq to get Abrams
  • Dogs of War: Blue on white

    • MILTECH
  • Why The F-22 Remains Vital Part Five
  • DrCongo signs cluster munitions pact, Laos ratifies it
  • SELEX Galileo's Mastiff 2 IVS Heads Towards the Front Line
  • Russian Chinese Asymmetric Anti-aircraft Missile Capabilities: F-22 Vital Part Four

    • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement