Rapid Fire Nov. 21, 2012: EADS State Ownership, US Outlook

* Germany and France have reportedly agreed to end up each owning 12% of EADS. Deutsche Welle | Handelsblatt [in German]. * EADS North America CEO Sean O’Keefe expects defense budget cuts, whether the Administration and Congress reach a budget deal or not. Bloomberg. * The Office and Management Budget (OMB)’s Balances of Budget Authority for FY 2012 [PDF] shows unobligated funds for military programs decreasing to a still very sizable $78.4B, down from $128.6B and $85B at the end of the two previous federal fiscal years. The Pentagon recently issued a memo on what to do with unobligated funds. Inside Defense reports a higher number of $105.7B for total DoD unobligated funds, which likely accounts for funds allocated to something else than military programs such as construction. The OMB tends to underestimate that balance. * AgustaWestland announced a contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration for 7 AW139 search and rescue helicopters. Deliveries will be spread between 2013 and 2014. Press release. * Rafael is working non-stop shifts to resupply Israel’s 5 Iron Dome batteries. The system has continued to receive an unusual amount of interest from mainstream media with countless infographics and videos, and even has its own unofficial […]