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RESEARCH PROGRAMME HELPS GERMAN AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
by Wolfdietrich HoevelerThe German Aerospace Industry Association (BDLI) takes a positive stock of the aerospace research program that was initiated in 1994. BDLI questioned all of the 40 companies of the system and supplying industry which are participating in the program in a survey. Even though only 25 companies replied, these companies represent 95 percent of the volume of the DM600 million program. The industry is paying a share in the same amount.
The participation in the research program has had positive effects on the employment situation of the companies. 104 new jobs, especially in the engine business, were generated. All of the new employees were contracted for research and development. Based on the survey results, BDLI assumes that several hundred work places can be secured due to the program.
The questioned companies commented positively about the new possibilities for contacts in the research sector. Especially the supplying industry is very interested in intensifying its relations to universities and large scale research, mainly done by DLR.
The interest in EU research initiatives has also been enforced by the national research program. Still, the immense administrative effort to get EU subsidies and the prospects of success are commented on critically.
There was only very little critique on the procedures and the activities of the program management by DARA (German Space Administration). Some of the smaller companies had problems with the required level of detail in their specifications.
The positive intermediate result of the research program was motive for the BDLI president to point out the necessity of flanking the national program with the 5th EU supporting program. Also, a seamless alignment of the civil and military research is vital to enforce the national competitiveness of the branch.
The aerospace research program ends in 1998. The state of Bavaria has last year already added their own program worth DM40 million. Furthermore, Dr. Bischoff and the BDLI are calling for the continuation of aerospace research under comparable conditions: "We need explicit innovation politics for the aerospace industry to avoid unfair competition."
From page 22 of FLUG REVUE 2/97
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Last updated January 10, 1997