International Cooperation in the Aerospace Industry: Economics, Politics, Organization, and Management of Technology

International Cooperation in the Aerospace Industry offers a unique study and analysis of how nations and industries have cooperated internationally to design and manufacture civil and military aircraft from a variety of perspectives: historical, economic, organizational, operational, and political.

Covering Europe, North and South America, Asia, and the Middle East, the author examines both the practical and managerial aspects of establishing and operating international programs and analyzes the economic and political dynamics associated with international cooperation. A chapter is dedicated to describing and comparing the various organizational and legal structures that have historically been used as frameworks for cooperative programs. It also examines cooperative international activities in aerospace research and development, and international ventures in maintenance, repair, and overhaul of operational aircraft.

Throughout the book, practical examples of cooperative programs around the world are used to illustrate analytical themes, as well as a series of case studies of international cooperative aircraft programs of special political and economic significance. This comprehensive book will be a valuable resource for researchers and postgraduate students specializing in aviation and aerospace management.

Wesley Spreen’s professional career in the aerospace industry includes executive and managerial jobs at Boeing, Lockheed, General Dynamics, Textron, and the US Air Force. At Lockheed he was managing director of the F-16 international coproduction consortium, which at the time was the largest cooperative industrial program in the history of the aerospace industry. At Boeing he was Director of International Marketing and Sales for the company’s helicopter division.