EADS

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1 - Overview

EADS was created in July 2000 following the merger of Aerospatiale Matra, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG ("Dasa") and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA ("CASA").
Lagardère owns a 7.5% stake in EADS, over which it exercises joint control with the company's other shareholders.
With consolidated sales of €42.8 billion in 2009, EADS leads Europe and ranks second worldwide in the aerospace and defence industries. In terms of market share, EADS is one of the world's top two manufacturers of commercial aircraft, civil and semi-public helicopters, commercial launch vehicles and missile systems. It is also a major supplier of military aircraft, satellites and defence electronics.
In 2009, EADS generated some 75% of its sales from the civil sector and 25% from the military sector.

2 - Major events in 2009

The 2009 annual results proved the EADS Group's ability to adjust to the current tough macroeconomic and commercial environment through the proactive management of its order books and sources of customer financing. This approach enabled the Group to sustain delivery levels across all of its business lines. It received orders worth €45.8 billion in 2009, reflecting the significantly weaker commercial environment. The EADS Group achieved sustained growth in the institutional and defence sectors. Its order book, worth €389 billion, is a solid basis for future deliveries. Its strong net cash position (€9.8 billion) resulted in a better-than-expected available cash flow and remains one of the Group's key strengths.

Airbus

In 2009, Airbus delivered a record number of aircraft and rose to the challenge presented by the economic downturn. The company delivered 498 commercial aircraft, 15 more than in 2008. Airbus Commercial achieved its order target of 310 gross orders (270 net orders), despite difficult market conditions, bringing its total orders to 3,488 aircraft, equalling six years of full production. The industrialization and increased production rate of the A380 represented considerable challenges in 2009 and the programme continues to weigh heavily on the year's results.
In 2009, the A330-200F performed its first flight and the A350 XWB continued to shape the future of air travel. Airbus used some of its available margin in the development schedules and the date of the entry into service of the aircraft remained unchanged.
In China, the first A320 left the final production line in Tianjin in June 2009 and 11 aircraft were delivered at the end of 2009.

Airbus Military

Airbus Military delivered 16 light and medium transport aircraft in 2009 and received 18 new gross orders (10 net orders). An important stage was reached in December 2009 with the inaugural flight of the A400M transport plane; in April 2010, the aircraft's customer nations and EADS agreed on a memorandum of understanding to amend the initial contract. Airbus Military also consolidated its position as the world's leading producer of tankers, winning additional orders from Saudi Arabia and successfully completing the conversion and flight-test phase of the first A330 MRTT produced for Australia.

Eurocopter

With 558 deliveries in 2009, Eurocopter achieved the targets set for 2009. Eurocopter received orders for 344 helicopters, including an order from France for 22 new NH90 tactical transport helicopters and an order from Brazil for 50 EC725 helicopters, underlining the strength of Eurocopter's military activities. Eurocopter received orders worth €5.8 billion in 2009. The inaugural flight of the first prototype of the EC175, the new seven-tonne helicopter developed in cooperation with our Chinese partners, was completed successfully in December 2009. The KUH (Korean Utility Helicopter) military transport helicopter, jointly developed with Korea Aerospace Industries, was rolled out in July 2009.

Astrium

 In 2009, Astrium received record orders worth €8.3 billion, which included the signing in January 2009 of a contract worth more than €4 billion for 35 Ariane 5 launchers, which will be available from mid-2010. Astrium's production represents around a quarter of the world telecommunication satellites market, including an order worth over €500 million from SES Astra. During the year, the division delivered seven Ariane 5 launchers and was entrusted by the ESA with the development of the launcher. In the field of defence, Astrium successfully performed tests on the M51, put into orbit the Spirale demonstrator and the Helios 2B information satellite for France, and the COMSATBw 1 satellite for Germany.

Defence & Security

The Defence & Security business was driven by the growth of Eurofighter sales and integrated logistical support activities.
The division strengthened its position on the world market for combat aircraft in July 2009 after Eurofighter signed a Tranche 3A contract for the production of 112 aircraft with customer nations, and the 200th Eurofighter was delivered to the German airforce. The division developed its drone activities by supporting the deployment of the French army's Harfang drones system in Afghanistan, completing the risk reduction study for the European Talarion drone, and successfully flight-testing the Barracuda drone demonstrator.

Copyrights : Airbus, EADS, EADS Astrium / M. Pikelj, Eurocopter, Airbus Military, EADS Astrium / Ingo Wagner