EADS names Ralph Crosby Chairman and CEO of EADS North America

EADS, one of the world's leading aerospace and defence companies, has elected Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. (54) to the position of Chairman and CEO of EADS North America. This decision marks a strong strategic commitment by EADS to establish a real industrial presence in the United States, to develop strategic partnerships with US companies and to enhance the access of EADS to all elements of the U.S. defence and aerospace marketplace.

EADS CEOs Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich said, "We have created this top management position as a strong signal of our commitment to the US market. We are proud to welcome Ralph Crosby as a member of our executive committee. The U.S. is essential to EADS' global strategy. As our senior official in the United States, he will oversee our efforts to expand our business, develop industrial partnerships, and ensure strong customer relationships in this critical market. His excellent operational background, and many years of experience in a prime contractor role ideally suit him to lead this effort."

Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. has over 20 years of experience in the defence and aerospace industry. Most recently, he was President of Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems Sector, retiring in January of this year. After serving twelve years as an Army officer, he joined Northrop Grumman in 1981, and served in a variety of staff and line positions. For a number of years he was Vice President and Manager of the Washington Office. He had several major operational assignments including general management of the company's B-2 Division, and Commercial Aircraft Division. During his last four years at Northrop Grumman, he established and led the Integrated Systems Sector whose programs included the B-2 Bomber, JointSTARS surveillance aircraft, Global Hawk UAV, E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft, and the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare system.

Commenting on his new position, Ralph Crosby said, "I am delighted to join the unique international team at EADS. The world class aerospace capabilities of EADS are a strong foundation for addressing the needs of US customers directly, and in collaboration with American partners. I look forward to the challenge of further enhancing EADS' presence in the United States, and bringing those capabilities to bear on U.S. customer needs."

Mr. Crosby will assume the role of Chairman and CEO of EADS North America on September 1, 2002. In this position, he will be a member of the EADS Executive Committee. While working closely with the Heads of the Divisions and the Head of Strategic Coordination, he will report directly to the EADS CEOs, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich. Other members of the Executive Committee are Axel Arendt (CFO), Francois Auque (Space Division), Thomas Enders (Defence and Civil Systems Division), Francisco Fernandez-Sainz (Military Transport Aircraft Division), Noel Forgeard (CEO Airbus), Jean-Louis Gergorin (Strategic Coordination), Jean-Paul Gut (EADS International), Gustav Humbert (COO Airbus) and Dietrich Russell (Aeronautics Divison).

EADS of North America will be the holding company actively coordinating the group's current and future business activities in North America.

Manfred von Nordheim (60), the current EADS top representative in the U.S., who played a major role in the development of EADS' US activities, will stay on as a Member of the Board and will continue to be at full disposal of EADS, its CEOs and Ralph Crosby as a senior advisor.

About EADS
With revenues amounting to EUR 30.8 billion in 2001 and a workforce of over 100,000, EADS ( www.eads.net) is the largest European aerospace company and the no. 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services. Among others, EADS holds 80 percent of Airbus, (currently) 75 percent of the space company Astrium, 100 percent of the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, 43 percent in the Eurofighter programme, 37.5 percent in the missile company MBDA.

Contacts:
Rainer Ohler Tel. +49 89 607 34 235
Martine Galland Tel. +33 1 42 24 22 54

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V.
Le Carré · Beechavenue 130-132 · 1119 PR Schiphol Rijk · Pays-Bas

EADS Deutschland GmbH · 81663 Munich · Allemagne
EADS France S.A.S. · 37, boulevard de Montmorency · 75781 Paris Cedex 16 · France
EADS CASA · Ava. de Aragón, 404, 28022 Madrid · Espagne