Anglo‐French Collaboration—The Present and Some Thoughts for the Future

THE two airframe companies between them employ nearly 60,000 people and the two engine companies over 40,000 people. In terms of facilities, capacity and experience these groups are among the world leaders. The present planned joint production rate from this impressive grouping of talents and resources is 3 Concordes a month. Our first two years' production is already allocated at this rate—which is a rate of £200 million worth of aircraft a year. The pressure on early deliveries is causing us to examine the possibility of increasing the rate to five a month. This would have two benefits—a big jump in annual turnover—and, almost certainly, a big jump in sales. This is a question of making the maximum bonus from our lead time in the supersonic field. Such an increased rate, however, clearly involves further joint initial outlay, and these things are now being earnestly considered on both sides of the Channel.