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Rivals announce collaboration on missile defense

The Associated Press

FARNBOROUGH, England — In an unusual partnership of aerospace rivals, Boeing and the parent of its European competitor Airbus said today they've agreed to cooperate in the joint development of anti-missile defense systems.

Boeing and the European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., known as EADS, have signed a memorandum of understanding to share in efforts to design defenses against ballistic missiles for the United States and its allies. They announced the deal at the Farnborough International air show at Farnborough, just south of London.

"U.S. and European industry came together today to show unity of purpose and appreciation of a common global threat. We will work together on ballistic missile defense — adding a new dimension to trans-Atlantic cooperation,'' Boeing chief executive Phil Condit told a news conference.

Boeing said it has reached a similar agreement with Italian aerospace company Alenia Spazio.

As prime contractor in the project with EADS, Boeing would be responsible for the development and integration of much of the ground-based equipment, including radars and command, control and communication systems. It also would be responsible for linking these defenses with satellites.

Neither Boeing nor EADS said how much it would spend on the project, nor how they will divide up the work.

"Right now it's just a framework, and inside this framework both companies will sort out how things will be done,'' said Heinrich Grossbongardt, a Boeing spokesman.

"What is behind it is that the U.S. government has asked that European partners should take part in missile defense,'' he said.

The announcement came amid U.S. President George W. Bush's continuing effort to build support among America's allies in Europe for the creation of a viable system of anti-ballistic missile defenses.

"We believe ballistic missile defense to be an important focus in the shifting defense environment, and key to ensuring peace in the free world,'' said EADS joint chief executives Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich. "EADS will bring its proven expertise to the table.''

The deal represents the most significant partnership so far between EADS and Boeing. The two companies have partnered for several years on smaller projects, including marketing of the Meteor air-to-air missile.

EADS owns 80 percent of Airbus, Boeing's only major competitor in the commercial aircraft business. Britain's BAE Systems owns the remaining 20 percent stake in Airbus.

EADS also holds 75 percent of the space company Astrium, 100 percent of the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, 43 percent in the Eurofighter jet fighter program, 37.5 percent in the missile company MBDA, and 100 percent of EADS Launch Vehicles, which is involved in Ariane and French ballistic missiles.

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