21.   Its leading position in the industry made it prime contractor for the system to steer the aerodynamically unstable Eurofighter attack jet.

22.   Known as SIVAM, the project was a big win for Lexington, Mass.-based Raytheon, which was selected as prime contractor in July.

23.   Lockheed is a prime contractor whose specialty is military aircraft, space systems and missiles.

24.   Lockheed plays a larger role at the Kennedy Space Center where it serves as prime contractor for preparing the shuttle for launch, landing and retrieval.

25.   Martin Marietta is largely a subcontractor, supplying components like radar and fire-control systems to the prime contractors that manage aircraft and aerospace programs.

26.   Northrop Grumman is becoming a supplier rather than a prime contractor as its military aircraft work dwindles.

27.   One reason for his optimism is that layoff announcements by prime contractors have slowed and most of the consolidation has taken place.

28.   Raytheon is the prime contractor on the project to install radar systems and computer networks to track drug smuggling and illegal deforestation in the Amazon.

29.   Samsung Aerospace Co., a unit of the Samsung Group, is the prime contractor among the South Korean businesses in the venture.

30.   Samsung Aerospace Co., a unit of the Samsung Group, is the prime contractor in the South Korean consortium.