ABSTRACT
Compared to other industries, aerospace plays a dominant role due to its widely developed European structures and its strategic significance. The European aerospace industry has not yet adapted to the post-Cold War scenario due to the absence of a European Security and Foreign Affairs Policy. Historically, the European aerospace industry has had to rely on direct governmental financial support for certain large programmes, because the European nations have not yet established a common industrial, foreign, security and technology policy. This chapter summarises the United States (US) governmental backing by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) demonstrator programmes. To encourage the integration and consolidation in European military and civil aerospace, the Departments of Defence of the nations involved, together with the Commissioner of External Affairs of the EU should define Technology Demonstrators, System Concept Demonstrators, and Operational Demonstrators for the technological support of a European Security and External Affairs Policy.
