BAE Systems

[Bigman]

Now that all this merger business with EADS has gone three sheets to the wind, why don't BAE start thinking about restarting airliner manufacture in their own right. They could start producing updated versions of the J31, J41 and perhaps a new 50 seat J51, and also resurrect the RJX70/85/100 series.

Let's face the fact that there are only 2 serious aircraft manufacturers in the frame these days for regional jets, ie Embraer and Bombardier, and pretty much only ATR for turboprops.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I suppose that start-up costs would be pretty prohibitive and money is not easy to borrow at the present time of course, assuming the thought crossed the company's mind.

BAE Systems doesn't seem to be flush with cash at a time defence spending is reducing.

Some analysts talk of BAE being vulnerable to a take-over.

 

[Seasider]

It would be nice to think that we could have a British airliner manufacturer but the development costs are so prohibitive that the best we can hope for is a joint venture with, say ATR, for a 50 seat turboprop. I don't think it will happen unless the government wants us to return to being a manufacturing nation again!

 

[Aviador]

Looking back over the year BAE Systems made a real boob in selling off the Harrier jump jet and the BAE 146 to other manufacturers. For instance, if the Americans wanted the jump jet they should have bought our aircraft not our plans to build them.