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==History==
===Formation and privatisation===
The company has its origins in the [[Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977]], which called for the [[nationalisation]] and merger of the [[British Aircraft Corporation]], [[Hawker Siddeley Aviation]], [[Hawker Siddeley Dynamics]] and [[Scottish Aviation]]. On 29 April 1977, the new entity was formed in the United Kingdom as a statutory corporation.
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===Programmes===
[[File:German Panavia Tornado.JPG|thumb|A [[German Air Force]] [[Tornado IDS]] in flight, 2007]]
British Aerospace inherited a number of live development programmes from its predecessors. Scottish Aviation was working on a project for a 19-seat turboprop airliner, an upgraded version of the [[Handley Page Jetstream]]. BAe placed the [[British Aerospace Jetstream|Jetstream 31]] into production after the first flight of the prototype in March 1980. At the same time, production of Hawker Siddeley's [[British Aerospace 125|HS 125]] business jet, [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier|Harrier]] VTOL jet fighter and [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748|HS 748]] turboprop airliner continued under BAe, as did that of the [[Hawker Siddeley Trident|Trident]] jet airliner for a short time. Similarly, low-rate production of the
On 29 July 1976, less than a year prior to BAe's formation, the contract for production of the first batch of the [[Panavia Tornado]], an advanced [[nuclear weapon|nuclear-capable]] fighter bomber, was signed.<ref name= 'Wellington'>Long, Wellington. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BmAvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2dwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5323,4133149&dq=tornado+bomber&hl=en "Swing-Wing Wonder Weapon Is Going Into Production."] ''Ludington Daily News,''24 August 1976.</ref> It was developed and produced via a multinational company, [[Panavia Aircraft GmbH]], of which BAe was one of several companies to be heavily involved.<ref name='segell124'>Segell 1997, p. 124.</ref><ref name= '104replac'>Morris, Joe Alex Jr. "Messerschmitt Back in Business". ''[[St
The Tornado would be produced in large numbers, the 500th aircraft to be completed was delivered to [[West Germany]] on 19 December 1987.<ref>Taylor 1987, p. 58.</ref> Production of the Tornado ended in 1998, the final batch being delivered to the [[Royal Saudi Air Force]], that had ordered a total of 96 IDS Tornados.<ref name=Janes_241>Jackson et al. 1998, p. 241.</ref> Aviation author Jon Lake noted that "The Trinational Panavia Consortium produced just short of 1,000 Tornados, making it one of the most successful postwar bomber programs".<ref>Lake 2002, pp. 446, 455.</ref>
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[[File:DN-SC-87-05770.JPEG|thumb|A [[800 Naval Air Squadron|800 NAS]] Sea Harrier FRS1 from HMS ''Illustrious'' in post-Falklands War low-visibility paint scheme.|alt=Grey jet aircraft with black radome and large engine inlet hovering with undercarriage extended. It is obscuring another identical jet in the distance. Near the bottom of the photograph, taken out at sea, is the horizon]]
BAe developed several advanced models of the [[Harrier jump jet|Harrier]] family. In 1978, the [[Royal Navy]] received the first [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|BAe Sea Harrier]] of an initial order for 24.<ref name="Bull 120">Bull 2004, p. 120.</ref><ref name="Grove">Grove 1987, pp. 319–320.</ref> The Sea Harrier was declared operational three years later, being initially embarked on both the first ''Invincible'' class aircraft carrier [[HMS Invincible (R05)|HMS ''Invincible'']], and the older [[HMS Hermes (R12)|HMS ''Hermes'']].<ref>{{cite journal |first= Terry |last= Ford |url= http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1683027&show=pdf |title= Sea Harrier – A New Dimension |journal= Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology |location= Bradford, England |publisher= Emerald Group Publishing |volume= 53 |issue= 6 |pages= 2–5 |year= 1981 |issn= 1758-4213 |doi= 10.1108/eb035729 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120405152509/http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1683027&show=pdf |archive-date= 5 April 2012 |df= dmy-all}}</ref> Following their decisive role in the 1982 [[Falklands War]],<ref>{{cite news |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T3MhAAAAIBAJ&pg=3796,8465827&dq=sea+harrier&hl=en |title= Sea Harrier changes face of air warfare |newspaper=Tri City Herald |first= Patrick J |last= Sloyan |date= 23 May 1982}}{{dead link|date=January 2014}}</ref> several of the lessons learnt from the conflict shaped a new upgrade programme for the fleet authorised in 1984, resulting in the ''Sea Harrier FRS.2'' (later known as ''FA2''). The first flight of the prototype took place in September 1988 and a contract was signed for 29 upgraded aircraft in December of that year.<ref name='janesx'>{{cite journal|url=http://defense-archive.teldan.com/Article/First-Flight-for-Sea-Harrier-FRS.aspx?sID=277683 |title=First Flight for Sea Harrier FRS2 |publisher=Janes Defense Weekly |volume=10 |issue=13 |page=767 |date=1 November 1988}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The Sea Harrier FA2 was fitted with the [[Blue Vixen]] radar, which was described as one of the most advanced [[pulse doppler radar]] systems in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/harrier-high-206520/ |title= Harrier high |first= Craig |last= Hoyle |work=
In August 1981, BAe and the American aircraft manufacturer [[McDonnell Douglas]] signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] regarding the [[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II]].<ref name=Wilson_p26>Wilson 2000, p. 26.</ref> Under this agreement, BAe was effectively a [[subcontractor]] rather than a full partner, receiving 40 per cent of the airframe's work-share in terms of man-hours.<ref name=Wilson_p26/> Production took place at McDonnell Douglas' facilities in suburban [[St
In 1979, BAe officially joined the multinational aircraft manufacturer [[Airbus]] and acquired a 20% share in the venture,<ref>{{cite news |url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/business/757/ |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |title = A special report on the conception, design, manufacture, marketing and delivery of a new jetliner—the Boeing 757 |first = Peter |last = Rinearson |date = 19 June 1983}}</ref><ref name="airbus5">{{cite web |url = http://www.airbus.com/company/history/the-narrative/technology-leaders-1977-1979/ |publisher = Airbus |title = History – Technology leaders |access-date = 30 September 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925104335/http://www.airbus.com/company/history/the-narrative/technology-leaders-1977-1979/ |archive-date = 2015-09-25 |url-status = dead }}</ref> the move effectively reversed a decision made ten years prior in which the UK government had withdrawn its support for the Airbus consortium. Airbus' first aircraft, the [[Airbus A300|A300]], had been received with little initial demand,<ref>{{cite magazine|url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915633,00.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081215112454/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915633,00.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 15 December 2008 |title = Now, the Poor Man's Jumbo Jet |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date = 17 October 1977}}</ref> but orders for the airliner had picked up in the late 1970s.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50B11F93F5513728DDDAE0894DC405B888BF1D3 |title = Eastern accepts $778 million deal to get 23 Airbuses |work=[[The New York Times]] |date = 7 April 1978 |first = Richard |last = Witkin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DXgQAAAAIBAJ&pg=2954,5223070&dq=a300+airbus&hl=en |title = Airbus funds flow on |work=The Age |location=Australia |date = 11 December 1979 |first = Gerry |last = Carman}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> By 1979, the consortium had 256 orders for A300,<ref
[[File:British_Aerospace_EAP_at_the_Farnborough_Air_Show,_1986.jpg|thumb|A [[British Aerospace EAP]] at the [[Farnborough Air Show]], 1986]]
During the 1983 [[Paris Air Show]], the launch of the ''[[British Aerospace EAP|Experimental Aircraft Programme]]'' (EAP) to develop and fly an advanced fighter technology demonstrator was announced; at this point, the effort was intended to be a partnership between Britain and several of its European neighbours, including West Germany and Italy.<ref name = "cos timeline">[https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/X005-5992-BAe-EAP-ZF534.pdf "BAe EAP ZF534: Museum Accession Number X005-5992."] ''Royal Air Force Museum Cosford'', Retrieved: 22 June 2019.</ref><ref name = "bae hist">[https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/british-aerospace-eap----experimental-aircraft-programme "BAe EAP."] ''[[BAE Systems]]'', Retrieved: 22 June 2019.</ref> The resulting aircraft, the [[British Aerospace EAP]], ended up being primarily developed by BAe as a private venture; it formed the basis for the multinational [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]. In 1986, in conjunction [[Alenia Aeronautica]], [[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA|CASA]] and [[DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG|DASA]], BAe formed [[Eurofighter GmbH]] for the development and production of the Eurofighter.<ref>Cowton, Rodney (7 June 1986). "Eurofighter partners: West Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain". ''[[The Times]]''.</ref> The multinational organisation's head office was established in [[Hallbergmoos]], Bavaria, Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurofighter.com/impressum0.html |title=Impressum: Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH Am Söldnermoos 17 D-85399 Hallbergmoos Germany |publisher=Eurofighter |access-date=17 September 2011}}</ref> The [[maiden flight]] of the Eurofighter prototype took place in Bavaria on 27 March 1994, flown by DASA chief test pilot Peter Weger.<ref name="maiden">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/27/newsid_2531000/2531051.stm "1994: Maiden flight for future fighter jet."] ''BBC News'', 27 February 1994. Retrieved: 19 March 2008.</ref> On 30 January 1998, the first production contract for the Eurofighter was signed between Eurofighter GmbH, engine manufacturer [[EuroJet Turbo GmbH|Eurojet]] and the [[NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency]], the organisation set up to manage the procurement of the aircraft.<ref name="BBC">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/52066.stm BBC "Euro-fighter contracts signed."] ''BBC News'', 30 January 1998. Retrieved: 18 September 2007.</ref>
On 26 September 1985, the UK and Saudi Arabian governments signed the [[Al-Yamamah arms deal]] with BAe as prime contractor. The contracts, extended in the 1990s and never fully detailed, involved the supply of [[Panavia Tornado]] strike and air defence aircraft, [[BAe Hawk]] trainer jets, [[Rapier missile]] systems, infrastructure works and naval vessels.<ref>{{cite news | first = Michael | last = Donne | title = BAe Hands Over First Part of Saudi Aircraft Order | work = [[Financial Times]] | page = 6 | date = 12 August 1987}}</ref> The Al Yamamah deals are valued at anything up to £20 billion and still continue to provide a large percentage of BAE Systems' profits.<ref>{{cite news | first = Nic| last = Fildes| url =http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13130-2319186,00.html | title =BAE confirms £5bn Eurofighter sale to Saudi Arabia | work =The Times| date =19 August 2006 | access-date =19 August 2006 | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Steiner | first = Rupert | title = BAE clinches new £2.5bn Tornado deal with Saudis | work= [[The Business (magazine)|The Business]] | date = 10 September 2006 | url = http://www.thebusinessonline.com/Stories.aspx?BAE%20clinches%20new%20%C2%A32.5bn%20Tornado%20deal%20with%20Saudis&StoryID=CCB0F5FD-9EAB-4177-ACEE-4288DA084899&SectionID=F3B76EF0-7991-4389-B72E-D07EB5AA1CEE | access-date = 12 September 2006 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
===Acquisitions and restructuring===
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In 1988, BAe purchased the [[Rover Group]] from the British government of [[Third Thatcher ministry|Margaret Thatcher]] for £150 million. The sale was controversial due to opaque financial arrangements between the government and BAe; however the House of Commons [[Business and Enterprise Select Committee|Trade and Industry Committee]] was said to believe that "in spite of a catalogue of complaints, the committee concludes that the sale to BAe may well have been the best solution for the government."<ref>Cassell, Michael (February 22, 1991). "The Rover Report; 'British Aerospace drove a hard bargain{{'"}}. ''Financial Times''.</ref>
In 1991, BAe acquired a 30% interest in [[Hutchison Telecommunications]] through a [[stock swap]] deal, where Hutchison was given a controlling stake of 65% in BAe's wholly owned subsidiary [[Microtel Communications Ltd]].<ref name=BAE-H-33>{{cite news |title=The Facts : 2004 |url= http://www.na.baesystems.com/PressKit/Facts.pdf |publisher =na.baesystems.com|page =107|access-date =9 June 2012|url-status =dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070125134301/http://www.na.baesystems.com/PressKit/Facts.pdf |archive-date =25 January 2007|df =dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=BAE-H-38/><ref name=OBS-H-04>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/mobile-wireless-broadband/cellular-wireless-broadband/policy-and-background/history-of-cellular-services/ |title=History of Cellular services |access-date=9 June 2012 |publisher=licensing.ofcom.org.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205065028/http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/mobile-wireless-broadband/cellular-wireless-broadband/policy-and-background/history-of-cellular-services/ |archive-date=5 February 2013}}</ref> In August 1991, BAe formed a naval systems joint venture, [[BAeSEMA]], with the [[Sema Group]].<ref name=BAE-H-33/> BAe acquired Sema's 50% share in 1998. That year also saw BAe begin to experience major difficulties. BAe saw its share price fall below 100p for the first time. On 9 September 1991, the company issued a profits warning and later that week "bungled" the launch of a £432 million [[rights issue]].<ref>{{cite news |first = Paul |last = Betts | title = Leader toppled by unstoppable momentum | work = Financial Times | page = 28 | date = 26 September 1991 <!--| access-date = 7 December 2006 -->}}</ref> On 25 September 1991 BAe directors led by CEO [[Richard Evans (businessman)|Richard Evans]] ousted the Chairman Professor Sir Roland Smith in a move described by ''[[The Independent]]'' as "one of the most spectacular and brutal boardroom coups witnessed in many years."<ref>{{cite news |first = Michael |last = Harrison |title = Roland Smith ousted by boardroom coup at BAe |work =
<blockquote> "our property company [Arlington Securities] was hit with a lousy market. Sales of the Rover Group sank by about a fifth and losses mounted. The government's defence spending volumes underwent a major review. Losses in our commercial aerospace division increased dramatically with the recession in the airline industry."</blockquote>
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====Airliner/Commercial====
* [[Avro 748|BAe Avro 748]] - (1960-limited) - (Mid-size turboprop)
* [[Hawker Siddeley Trident|BAe / Hawker Trident]] - (1964-1995) - (Narrow-body jetliner)
* [[Vickers VC10|BAe Vickers VC10]] - (1964-2013) - (
* [[British Aerospace 125]] - (1964-limited) - (
* [[Handley Page Jetstream|BAe / Handley Page Jetstream]] - (1967-2011) - (small-size turboprop)
* [[Concorde|BAe / Aerospatiale Concorde]] - (1969-2003) - (Supersonic jetliner)
* [[British Aerospace Jetstream 31]] - (1980-present) - (small-size turboprop)
* [[British Aerospace 146]] - (1981-present) - (Mid-size jetliner. Series −100, −200
* [[Hawker 800|BAe Hawker 800]] - (1983-present) - (
* [[British Aerospace ATP]] - (1986-present) - (Mid-size turboprop)
* [[British Aerospace Jetstream 41]] - (1992-present) - (small-size turboprop)
====Trainer====
* [[Hunting Jet Provost|BAe Provost]] - (1954-1993) - (Basic jet trainer)
* [[Scottish Aviation Bulldog| BAe Bulldog]] - (1969-present) - (Basic turboprop trainer)
* [[BAE Systems Hawk|British Aerospace Hawk]] - (1974-present) - (Advanced jet trainer)
* [[T-45 Goshawk|BAe / McDonnell Douglas Goshawk]] - (1988-present) - (Advanced jet trainer)▼
▲* [[T-45 Goshawk|BAe / McDonnell Douglas Goshawk]] - (1988)
====Military====
* [[English Electric Canberra|BAe Canberra]] - (1949-2007) - (Medium bomber)
* [[Hawker Hunter|Hawker / BAe Hunter]] - (1951-limited) - (Fighter-bomber)
* [[Handley Page Victor|BAe Victor]] - (1952-1993) - (Strategic heavy bomber & aerial refueler)
* [[Avro Vulcan|BAe Avro vulcan]] - (1952-2015) - (Strategic heavy bomber)
* [[English Electric Lightning|BAe Lightning]] - (1954-1988) - (Interceptor fighter)
* [[Blackburn Buccaneer|BAe Buccaneer]] - (1958-1994) - (Maritime strike fighter)
* [[BAC Strikemaster|BAC/BAe Strikemaster]] - (1967-1993) - (Attack fighter)
* [[Hawker Siddeley Nimrod|Hawker / BAe Nimrod]] - (1967-2011) - (Maritime patrol)
** [[Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1|Hawker / BAe Nimrod R1]] - (1973-2011) - (Reconnaissance)
** [[British Aerospace Nimrod AEW.3]] - (1980-1986) - (Airborne early warning)
** [[BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4|BAE Nimrod MRA.4]] - (2004) - (Maritime patrol, cancelled)
* [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier|Hawker / BAe Harrier]] - (1967-2006) - (VSTOL fighter)
** [[Harrier jump jet]] - (1967-limited) - (VSTOL fighter)
** [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier]] - (1978-2016) - (VSTOL fighter)
** [[British Aerospace Harrier II]] - (1985-2011) - (VSTOL fighter)
* [[SEPECAT Jaguar]] - (1968-limited) - (Attack fighter)
* [[Panavia Tornado]] - (1974-present) - (Multirole strike fighter)
** [[Panavia Tornado ADV]] - (1979-2011) - (Interceptor fighter)
* [[British Aerospace P.125]] - (1980s) - (Experimental fighter, cancelled)
* [[British Aerospace P.1216]] - (1980s) - (Experimental fighter, cancelled)
* [[British Aerospace EAP]] - (1986) - (Experimental fighter, developed into [[Eurofighter Typhoon]])
* [[
* [[
* [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] - (1994-present) - (Air-superiority multirole fighter)
* [[BAE Replica]] - (2010s) - (Fifth Generation strike fighter, cancelled)
* [[BAE Systems Tempest]] - (under development) - (Sixth Generation fighter)
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[[File:Defence Imagery - Missiles 10.jpg|thumb|A vertically-launched Sea Wolf]]
[[File:Skylark launch.jpg|thumb|upright|Skylark sounding rocket]]
* [[ALARM]] - (Air-to-surface anti-radiation missile)
* [[Rapier (missile)|Rapier]] - (Surface-to-air missile)
* [[Sea Dart]] - (Surface-to-air & surface-to-surface missile)
* [[Sea Eagle (missile)|Sea Eagle]] - (Surface-to-surface anti-ship missile)
* [[Sea Skua]] - (Air-to-surface anti-ship missile)
* [[Sea Wolf (missile)|Sea Wolf]] - (Surface-to-air missile)
* [[Skyflash]] - (Air-to-air missile)
* [[S225XR]] - (Air-to-air missile, cancelled)
▲* [[Skylark (rocket)|Skylark sounding rocket]]
===Unmanned air vehicles===
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