EADS Military Aircraft: wide-ranging competence in the field of military flight hardware
Le Bourget, 13 Juni 2005
EADS Military Aircraft unites all the capacities and capabilities of the aerospace and defence company EADS in the fields of fighter aircraft, manned mission aircraft and trainer aircraft. EADS Military Aircraft is also active in the area of military unmanned air vehicles (UAV). Thus, it is providing support to the EuroMALE programme (European Medium Altitude Long Endurance) and is carrying out research and development work for unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV). As well as the air vehicles themselves, EADS Military Aircraft also offers the related ground-based systems.
Within the Defence & Security Systems Division, EADS Military Aircraft is responsible for the manufacture and support of complex airborne systems, from design and development to integration, production, the accompanying training services and comprehensive system support.
In the retrofit and combat enhancement programmes for the aircraft flown by the air forces and naval aviation units of Germany and Spain, EADS Military Aircraft acts as the national system design responsible company (SDR).
The business strategy of EADS Military Aircraft is based on four main thrusts:
-
In its capacity as a partner responsible for airborne weapon systems, the company wants to also play a role in shaping future European programmes and to promote international integration in military aircraft construction.
-
It believes that existing competencies and capabilities should be used to extend the product base in an innovative manner.
-
Its position as "provider of comprehensive system support" is reinforced by continual expansion of the service business, including training, and by the harnessing of support competencies and capacities in the military aeronautics centre in Manching.
-
It seeks to expand the civil aircraft components segment, an integral part of its business activities, by building on its "preferred supplier" status with Airbus.
In 2004, EADS Military Aircraft achieved revenues of around €1.7 billion. The order backlog stood at approx. €6.4 billion. EADS Military Aircraft currently employs about 7,700 people (not counting ASL Lemwerder) at three sites in Germany and one site in Spain.
Ottobrunn. Some 2,780 people are employed at the Ottobrunn site near Munich, which is also the unit's headquarters. In addition to the top management, the site is also home to EADS Military Aircraft's development, logistics and customer support activities.
Augsburg. The Augsburg plant employs around 2,020 people and is responsible for the production and assembly of aircraft components and spares.
Manching. Final assembly and flight testing are performed at the Manching site, which has approx. 1,730 employees including Dornier Flugzeugwerft. Repair, maintenance and upgrade activities are also carried out here. The various system support centres are being set up here.
Getafe. This site, which is situated close to Madrid, employs around 1,250 people, who are engaged in development and final assembly work. Aircraft maintenance, overhaul and modernization work is also performed here.
On 31 December 2003, EADS Military Aircraft acquired a 51% share in Aircraft Services Lemwerder GmbH. Repair and maintenance of individual military aircraft components (Tornado, Transall) and parts manufacturing (Eurofighter, A400M) are carried out in Lemwerder.
The EADS Military Aircraft programmes which are currently most important are summarized below :
In the combat aircraft sector:
Eurofighter
EADS Military Aircraft is responsible for system design (e.g. flight control, target recognition and acquisition systems, sensor fusion, hydraulics), the flight testing of three prototypes, series production of the fuselage centre section, right wing and outer flap tracks and final assembly for a total of 180 aircraft for the Luftwaffe and 87 aircraft for the Spanish Air Force. A further 18 aircraft are to be delivered to the export customer Austria. Here EADS is working in partnership with Alenia Aerospazio and BAE Systems. After the first flights by four production aircraft in February 2003 and the granting of international type acceptance on 30 June 2003, the first production Eurofighters for the German Luftwaffe entered into service. Seven of these went to Fighter Wing 73 in Rostock-Laage on 30 April 2004. Operational aircraft have also been delivered to the Spanish, Italian and British air forces and are now involved in initial flight operations. In 2004, the participating air forces presented their Eurofighters at the ILA, RIAT and Farnborough air shows. On 22 October 2004 the first production singleseater earmarked for future delivery to the customer successfully completed its maiden flight at EADS Military Aircraft, Manching. On 14 December 2004 the sponsor organization, NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH signed the production contract for the second tranche. From the total 236 aircraft to be built in this second production batch, the Luftwaffe is to receive 68 aircraft and the Spanish Air Force 33.
The first single-seater operational aircraft was delivered to the Spanish Air Force on 29 December 2004. The first single-seater aircraft from German production was handed over on 14 February 2005. It was flown to the Air Force School of Engineering No. 1 in Kaufbeuren, where it is being used to train technicians and ground staff. The first single-seater operational aircraft was handed over to the Luftwaffe on 11 April, following which it was flown to Operational Wing JG 73 "Steinhoff in Rostock-Laage.
-
Technical logistic sppport Eurofighter
System Support Centre Eurofighter (SUZ). The system support cooperative model operated by EADS Military Aircraft and the Bundeswehr will provide analysis capabilities for the entire hardware and software architecture of the Eurofighter system throughout the aircraft's in-service life. Special mention should be made of the "User Help Desk" facilities (support for the operational units on hardware and software issues), training and fault analysis (cross-border competence).
Eurofighter Airframe Cooperation. The joint unit formed by EADS Military Aircraft and the Luftwaffe is autonomously responsible for incoming inspection, repair and quality assurance of the airframe over the entire service life. This model enables the Luftwaffe to build up capacities and expert knowledge without any duplication of facilities.
Tornado
Modernization, overhaul and maintenance work on aircraft flown by the Luftwaffe.
-
Technical logistic support Tornado
System Support Centre Tornado. The system support cooperative model operated by EADS Military Aircraft and the Bundeswehr will provide analysis capabilities for the entire hardware and software architecture of the Tornado system. Drawing on experience gained from the Eurofighter System Support Centre, this facility will serve to provide comprehensive system support.
F-4 Phantom II
Overhaul and maintenance work for the Luftwaffe. In December 2002, after being fitted with complex, upgraded avionics and undergoing service life extension measures, the first production F-4s were delivered to the Hellenic Air Force under the Peace Icarus programme.
EF-18A Hornet
Technical support for maintenance of the operational software, for the design, development, support and implementation of a midlife upgrade programme for the Spanish EF-18A fleet.
In the future intelligence-gathering and weapon systems sector:
Unmanned airborne mission systems (Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Air Vehicle, MALE UAV).
EADS Military Aircraft is involved in the planning, development and production of the EuroMALE unmanned airborne surveillance system.
Unmanned airborne weapon systems (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle, UCAV).
EADS Military Aircraft is conducting design and technology studies for unmanned aerial combat systems.
European Technology Acquisition Programme (ETAP).
EADS Military Aircraft is actively involved in this six-nation programme to research technologies having multiple applications with the common aim of developing the basis for a European fifth-generation fighter aircraft, either manned or unmanned.
In the transport and mission aircraft sector:
A400M.
In connection with this aircraft, the Business Unit is involved in the development of systems and subsystems for mission management and automated low-level flight. EADS Military Aircraft is building the lower shell of the military transport aircraft. Its Augsburg plant will also produce the rear fuselage section, including the cargo door. ASL Lemwerder is designing the structural assembly of the fuselage side and lower shells. This means that EADS Military Aircraft will be responsible for 20% of the German workshare in the new military transporter.
C-160 Transall.
Modernization, overhaul and maintenance for the Luftwaffe. ASL Lemwerder manufactures spare parts.
C-130 Hercules.
Support and service life extension for the Spanish Air Force's C-130 fleet.
Breguet 1150 Atlantic.
Overhaul, maintenance and logistics support for the German Naval Aviation's maritime patrol aircraft. The aircraft service centre Dornier Flugzeugwerft (DFW) based in Manching is responsible for this work.
P3-Orion.
Modernization of the avionics, structural overhaul and industrial inspections of the Spanish Air Force's P3 Orion aircraft.
E-3A AWACS.
EADS Military Aircraft is involved in the overhaul, maintenance and modernization of the NATO E-3A fleet, with Boeing as the customer. On some of the tasks it is collaborating with Dornier Flugzeugwerft. At the end of September 2004 DFW received certification of its European based Sustainment and Engineering Capability (ESEC) for AWACS.
In the training systems sector:
Mako High Energy Advanced Trainer (HEAT).
In Mako HEAT, EADS Military Aircraft is offering a high-performance trainer to the very latest technological standards. Mako's flight characteristics are very similar to those of a latest-generation combat jet (specific excess power). Much of the training content can be instructed on the training aircraft instead of in more costly training hours spent on mission aircraft.
Eurotraining.
EADS Military Aircraft is actively involved in this requirements and feasibility investigation into a concept for integrated training of pilots for new-generation combat aircraft. This study was presented to the contracting bodies in March 2004 and is currently being evaluated. Twelve nations are involved in this Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) project.
F-5B.
Logistics support and ongoing modernization of the Spanish Air Force's F-5B's, including retrofitting state-of-the-art electronics, such as new navigation and communication systems plus head-up and multifunction displays.
C-101 Aviojet.
System and logistics support for a total of 150 aircraft delivered to four air forces. Planning of an upgrade programme aimed at maintaining the planned operational capability through to 2020.
Tamiz.
Logistics support for 40 aircraft flown by the Spanish Air Force.
Training of aircrew and technical personnel.
For example, the initial training courses for Eurofighter were held in Manching and Kaufbeuren. EADS Military Aircraft also supports its customers with regular training operations and training on system changes.
Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids (ASTA).
A training facility into which all the training aids required for the instruction of future Eurofighter combat pilots have been integrated and interlinked.
Simulation facilities and ground-based training aids.
EADS Military Aircraft offers a diverse range of simulation facilities for training purposes and integrated training facilities.
In the civil aircraft components sector:
EADS Military Aircraft (Augsburg plant) is a preferred supplier of aerostructures for the entire Airbus family. The Augsburg plant builds large structural components, such as the rear fuselage for the large widebody aircraft, forward fuselage lower shells and also keel beams. EADS Military Aircraft is also involved in the development and production of the Airbus A380. Here, for the first time, EADS is also producing wing structures.
Military Aircraft is an integrated business unit within the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division (DS). With a turnover of around €5.4 billion in 2004 and a workforce of about 24,000 in ten countries, the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division brings together the essential defence activities of EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, guided missiles, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, and related services.
EADS is a world leader in the markets for aerospace and defence products and related services, having achieved revenues amounting to €31.8 billion with a workforce of about 110,000 in the year 2004.
Press contact
| Wolfram Wolff | EADS Military Aircraft |
Tel.: +49-89-607 25711 Fax: +49-89-607 22455 mailto: wolfram.wolff@eads.com |
