Airbus Pessimistic About Salvaging Dassault Jet Partnership

Airbus SE is increasingly pessimistic that it can overcome its differences with Dassault Aviation SA about the companies’ joint effort to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft, throwing the nascent program into doubt, according to people familiar with the company’s thinking.

The aircraft manufacturer is pushing for a government-brokered resolution by the end of the year, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential matters. While Airbus is finding working with Dassault increasingly tough, the company still believes in the Future Combat Air System, and could seek a partner other than Dassault, the people said.

A spokesman for ...