The Aeronautics Task Force: Interim report
The Aeronautics Task Force was created in March 1995 at the joint initiative of Commissioners Cresson, Bangemann and Kinnock. Following nine months of activity, the Task Force has published its first interim report. This provides an overview of the aeronautics industry in Europe, a description of the work of the Task Force to date and clear indications on likely future actions. The mandate of the Aeronautics Task Force, in line with that of the other Commission Task Forces, includes: - Identification of priority industrial, research and technological objectives; - Promotion of the coordinated exploitation of the Fourth Framework Programme; - Development of concrete applications in the framework of the Information Society; - Improvement of the exploitation of results, including possible demonstration activities; - Exploration of the potential offered by supplementary programmes; - Creation of increased synergy between European Union and national programmes; - Proposal of recommendations for the Fifth Framework Programme. Since it began work in March 1995, the Task Force has contributed to the level of coordination within the Commission itself by providing industry with a single interface which brings together representatives from all the major Commission RTD programmes having an impact on the aeronautics sector (Industrial Technologies, Information Technologies, Transport and Telematics). This interservice cooperation will continue in future to ensure optimal exploitation of the Fourth Framework Programme. Extensive consultations have taken place with all branches of the aeronautics industry and contacts have been made with several national aeronautical research establishments as well as with the association of aeronautical research establishments in Europe (AEREA). Following these consultations, the Task Force has identified a number of priority actions, achievable without extra funding. These priorities relate, in particular, to the best use of available resources, to the coordination of research actions and to improving the exploitation of results through: - Targeted Research Actions; - Joint calls for proposals; - Coordination with national actions; - Cooperation with third countries and international organizations. In addition, three applied technology actions have been identified which can only practically be achieved at European level, and can make a real impact on competitiveness. These are: - The More Efficient Aircraft (MEFA); - The Environmentally Friendly Aircraft (TEFA); - The Aeronautics Network for Concurrent Engineering (ENHANCE).