Bad Blood Boiling Between Cirrus and L3

Cirrus Aircraft claims that former avionics supplier L3 Communications is spreading false rumors of Cirrus's impending bankruptcy. The Duluth-Minnesota airframer has filed suit to get L3 to stop, and also recently claimed higher-than-expected results for 2010 and a spike in orders compared with a like reporting period for last year. Meanwhile, L3 has its own suit pending against Cirrus for alleged contract default on agreements to supply its SmartDeck avionics for the Cirrus single-engine jet and SR22 piston models. Cirrus alleges that L3 has been contacting other suppliers and urging them not to do business with Cirrus. It also alleges that the action by L3 damages its reputation and impedes its ability to market new aircraft to buyers who might be concerned over warranty protection and long-term service should Cirrus fail. According to a report in the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, the suit seeks an order for L3 to cease spreading the rumors and also unspecified compensation for damages.