The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) is a large European industrial corporation of the aerospace business, formed by the merger on July 10, 2000 of Aerospatiale-Matra of France, Dornier and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA) of Germany, and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) of Spain. As of 2003, EADS employs more than 100,000 people at 70 production sites worldwide. Its main office is situated in Amsterdam.

The current CEO is Philippe Camus. EADS owns 80% of Airbus.

Table of contents

1 History and activities 2 Subdivisions 3 Shareholders (October 2002) 4 Criticism 5 External links

History and activities

EADS was formed by its member companies in July 2000, to become the world's second largest aerospace company (after Boeing). EADS is also the second-largest European arms manufacturer. The company develops and markets civil and military aircraft, as well as missiles, space rockets, and related systems.

In November 2003, EADS announced that it was considering working with Japanese companies, and the Japanese METI, to develop a hypersonic airliner intended to be a larger, faster, and quieter, replacement for the Concorde, which was retired in October the same year.

EADS is a major contributor to the International Space Station, and is expected to deliver the Columbus Laboratory Module in 2004 through its subdivision EADS Space Transportation.

Subdivisions

• Airbus Industrie (joint ownership with BAE Systems)
• Military Transport Aircraft (behind the A400M competitor to Lockheed Martin's Hercules)
• Aeronautics
• Space
  • 100% shareholder in satellite company EADS Astrium (after buying out BAE Systems' 25% stake on January 30, 2003)
  • 100% shareholder in EADS Space Transportation, responsible for the Ariane launchers and orbital systems such as the Columbus orbital facility.
  • 100% shareholder in EADS Space Services, formed mostly from Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd, a defense satellite operator for the UK MoD (operating the Skynet 5 system)
  • 28% shareholder in space transport operator Arianespace (largest commercial shareholder)
• Defence and Security Systems
  • Defence Electronics, the sensors and avionics house of EADS
  • Military Aircraft
    • Dassault Aviation (45.76%), manufacturer of fighters and other military aircraft
    • Eurocopter Group (100% ownership), manufacturer of light and medium civil and military helicopters
  • Missiles
    • MBDA (37,5%)
    • LFK
  • Defence and Communications Systems, system house
  • Services

Shareholders (October 2002)

• Publicly traded 33.8% (CAC, DAX, Madrid stock exchanges)
• SOGEADE 30.3%
• DaimlerChrysler 30.3%
• SEPI 5.6%

Criticism

Like any large industrial conglomerate which manufactures weaponry, EADS has been subjected to criticism. Alleged wrongdoings include:

• The delivery of weapons to non-NATO countries without due consideration for the political situation and the economic consequences and to countries where there is an arms race going on
• Using bribes in order to further sales in South Africa

List of Aircraft - Aircraft Manufacturers - Aircraft Engines - Aircraft Engine Manufacturers

Airlines - Air Forces - Aircraft Weapons - Missiles - Years in Aviation

External links

• Company website
• EADS Defence Electronics
• Firm considers 'son of Concorde'   – BBC News, 23 November 2003

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