Aerospace Industry - The Competitive Landscape

Non-U.S. firms dominate the Regional Jet market and participate in the GA market. The large commercial jet aircraft manufacturing sector is a Boeing and Airbus duopoly. While aerospace firms in Europe and Japan have long driven competition with the United States, Russia and China have not, until recently, been strong competitors in the international market. Over the years, aerospace firms from several non-traditional aircraft manufacturing nations have attempted to enter various parts of the international commercial aircraft sector. With the exception of some GA products, these attempts have largely been commercial failures.

The products sold by companies in this sector are highly specialized and expensive and the competition is also high in this segment. There are various challenges and barriers that make is almost impossible for new players to enter this market.

Companies in the military aerospace products manufacturing sector face medium, steady competition. The US dominates this sector, but production continues to increase in other countries. Another barrier to entry into this sector is the strict regulations governing defense manufacturers.

Key Competitors:

Globally, the top five competitors in the aerospace and defense industry by revenue are discussed below:

1. The Boeing Company:

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space, and security systems, founded in 1916 in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries, with total revenue of $68.7 billion in 2011. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training. With corporate offices in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 170,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries.

Boeing is organized into two business units: Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Approximately 60% of Boeing's sales originate in the Americas and the US government accounts for about 80% of the company's space and security revenues.

2. European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS):

The EADS Group is a global leader in aerospace, defense, and related services, employing around 133,000 people at more than 170 sites worldwide. EADS is a European industrial flagship which unites the capabilities of four market leaders: Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian, and Eurocopter. EADS is the largest supplier of aerospace, defense, and related services in Europe.

EADS includes Airbus as the leading global manufacturer of the most innovative commercial and military aircraft. Its commercial product line comprises aircraft that range in size from the roughly 100-seat single-aisle A318 to the over 500-seat A380 widebody aircraft. Today, Airbus consistently captures about half of all commercial airliner orders.

3. Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT):

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. It recorded sales of $46.5 Billion in 2011.

As a global security, aerospace, and information technology company, the majority of Lockheed Martin's business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. federal government agencies. In fact, Lockheed Martin is the largest provider of IT services, systems integration, and training to the U.S. Government.

The remaining portion of Lockheed Martin's business is comprised of international government and some commercial sales of our products, services, and platforms. It is among the world's top military contractors, with most of its sales coming from the US government. LMT's customers include the US Department of Defense, the US Army, and the US Navy.

4. Airbus S.A.S.:

Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company.  Based in Blagnac, France, a suburb of Toulouse and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces more than half of the world's jet airliners. Airbus began as a consortium of aerospace manufacturers, Airbus Industrie. Consolidation of European defense and aerospace companies in 1999 and 2000 allowed the establishment of a simplified joint-stock company in 2001, owned by EADS (80%) and BAE Systems (20%). After a protracted sales process, BAE sold its shareholding to EADS on 13 October 2006.

Airbus has traditionally been in direct competition with rival jet manufacturer Boeing. In addition to its commercial jets, Airbus is expanding into the military transport aircraft sector.

5. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC):

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.  A premier provider of manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, missile systems, and advanced technologies. Key products include Global Hawk, Fire Scout, and UCAS-D unmanned aircraft systems; B-2 stealth bomber; E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; Joint STARS targeting and battle management system; James Webb Space Telescope; Advanced EHF communications payload, and Space Tracking and Surveillance System.

Future Outlook:

The future outlook for competitive landscape predicts even increased global competition in the aerospace industry. There is a huge possibility of new low-cost competitors entering the market, including the emergence of possibly strong aerospace manufacturing centers in China and Russia.