Did you know that BAES now employs more people in the USA
than it does in the United Kingdom; 44,000 in the US vs 34,000 the UK?
It also employs 4,300 in Saudi Arabia, 2,600 in Australia, 1,700 in
Sweden and 500 in South Africa. BAES owns 20.5% of SAAB aircraft, 37.5%
of MBDA missiles (together with EADS and Finmeccanica) and 33% of
Eurofighter GmbH. Annual sales are more than £15.7 billion, the
contribution to the UK GDP is £2.4 bn and exports are £4.1 bn. Current
orders total £38.6 bn. The range of products includes manned and
unmanned military aircraft, surface ships including manned and unmanned
submarines, tanks and other military vehicles, artillery, munitions and
electronics.
Wings & Wheels
Another excellent flying and motoring display took place at
Dunsfold on 24th August. After a wet morning the clouds cleared at
midday for the Red Arrows Hawks to fly against a blue sky. Other
'Hawker' types included a Nimrod biplane from the Fighter Collection,
two Hurricanes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Hangar
11, a Sea Hawk from the Royal Navy Historic Flight and a two-seat
Hunter from Delta Jets. 'Lesser' military types were a Typhoon (Eu not
HAL), a Spitfire, a Dutch B-25 as operated from Dunsfold during the
war, a Dakota and the splendid trans-Atlantic and England-Australia
Vickers Vimy reproduction. Stunning aerobatic demonstrations,
'wing-walking' and unbelievable towed and free glider aerobatics made
up the flying content. Numerous vintage and classic cars, motorcycles
and modern supercars blasted along the runway in true Top Gear manner
to entertain a record crowd. If you didn't get there make a note to go
in 2009.
