BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3 - 05-962303: ALENIA SPAZIO

UNCLAS ROME 001870 SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR (E. PEARTREE); EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETTC TSPA IT KOMC BLUE LANTERN SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3 - 05-962303: ALENIA SPAZIO REF: A. STATE 86256 ¶B. 03 ROME 5146 ¶1. This is a response to reftel A, and conveys pre-license information on application number 05-962303, on the export of fuses from AEM Inc. to Alenia Spazio for use in the Cosmo-SkyMed satellite program. ¶2. Econoffs met May 26 with Cosmo-SkyMed executives: Sandro Fagioli, VP and General Manager; Umberto Corsi, VP Purchasing; and Alessandro Mazzacchera, Procurement Manager. Company representatives said they ordered 1,250 high-reliability fuses to outfit a fourth satellite in the Cosmo-SkyMed program. Specifically, these fuses are used in electronic front end equipment of the Cosmo satellite. The company used fuses from its first order (reftel B) in the construction of three satellites, contracted by the Ministry of Defense and Italian Space Agency (ASI). This contract included an option for a fourth satellite, which was recently exercised. ¶3. Company representatives explained that approximately 1,280 fuses are required for each satellite, including breakage allowances. The company will combine left-over fuses from its first order of 4,500 (reftel B) with the current order to ensure an adequate fuse supply for the fourth satellite. ¶4. Based on the thorough and open nature of Alenia Spazio's disclosure, Embassy believes the finding is satisfactory. Please advise if any further post action or follow-up is required. SEMBLER NNNN 2005ROME01870 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED