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2004

21 December 2004: The European satellite navigation project Galileo is beginning to take shape

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Galileo Industries sign a preliminary contract for the In-Orbit-Verfication-Phase (IOV). With a 38 percent stake in Galileo Industries, EADS Astrium will take on important work packages as a major subcontractor in this initial phase. The contract will cover the first four Galileo satellites, due for launch in 2008, and the development and operation of the associated ground infrastructure. A further 26 satellites will follow to make up the 30 required in the Galileo constellation. Galileo is expected to be fully operational by the end of the decade.

20 December 2004: Australia signs contract for A330 MRTT

The Australian Defence Force purchases from the EADS Military Transport Aircraft Division the world's most capable and flexible tanker transport aircraft to replace its Boeing 707 fleet. The A330 MRTT combines the qualities of the Airbus A330 with EADS' state-of-the-art in-flight Air Refuelling Boom System (ARBS). Delivery of the first A330 MRTT to the Australian Forces is scheduled for 2008 and will enter service in 2009. In Australia, close to 50 new jobs will be created in the acquisition stage – and another 55 in the through-life support of the aircraft.

17 December 2004: Production contract for second tranche of Eurofighter Typhoons

NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeuge GmbH sign the contract covering the second tranche of Eurofighter aircraft. Eurofighter Tranche 2 is one of the most important orders in EADS' defence business in 2004. For EADS as one of the Eurofighter partner companies, this represents a contract volume of € 4.3 billion. At the same time, this contract improves the export chances of Eurofighter, a latest-generation high-tech combat aircraft that has already reached market maturity and underlines Europe's capabilities in this area.

10 December 2004: EADS and BAE SYSTEMS give go ahead for Airbus to offer the A350

Receiving the Authorisation to offer (ATO) from its shareholders EADS and BAE SYSTEMS, Airbus can begin making firm commercial offers to launch customers for a new model called “A350” The new aircraft is a “sister” to the A330s and will be available in two versions. Already in the early concept phase, the A350 proposition has received an extremely positive response from Airbus customers, many of which have expressed interest and contributed to the concept development. Market demand in this particular segment is estimated to be 3,100 units over the next 20 years.

7 December 2004: Significant Advances for EADS in China

EADS achieves another major success in China with the signing of an agreement for 23 single-aisle Airbus aircraft. The signing takes place in the presence of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder during his visit to the People’s Republic of China. Up to now, Airbus received 81 new orders from China since the beginning of 2004. EADS' goal is to reach a fifty percent market share for commercial aircraft in China. Airbus will also reinforce its cooperation with China by raising its subcontracting commitment.

24 November 2004: EADS opens its international Corporate Business Academy near Bordeaux

EADS opens its Corporate Business Academy (CBA), the management training centre for executives from all Group entities worldwide. Starting in 2005, some 2,000 members of staff will be attending management courses there and eventually, the EADS Corporate Business Academy will be open to executives from outside the Group. Located on the Domaine de Villepreux near Bordeaux, it is created building a strong corporate culture shared by all the sites around the world. The CBA will be a centre where all of its employees can develop their management skills.

22 November 2004: Paradigm signs contract to provide Military Satellite Communications to NATO

Following the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NATO, the UK, Italy and France for the provision of NATO’s satellite communications services from 2005 until 2019, Paradigm Secure Communications signs a contract to provide the UK share of NATO’s Space Segment requirements from the beginning of 2005. The signature of this contract is another landmark in the development of Paradigm’s military satellite communications business. Paradigm will initially use its existing Skynet 4 constellation and then migrate to new Skynet 5 satellites from 2007.

19 November 2004: Spain acquires Taurus KEPD 350

The Spanish Air Force is to equip its F/A-18 and Eurofighter aircraft with the Taurus KEPD 350 precision stand-off guided missile system. Spain confirms this procurement intention during German-Spanish summit talks. Spain becomes the first export customer for Taurus KEPD 350 and is of great significance for Spain also as far as industrial policy is concerned. The Spanish company SENER already produces the fin actuation systems for the German series. In addition, SENER will be prime contractor in Spain for integration on the F/A-18, acquisition of the missiles and the logistics.

20 October 2004: Expansion of EADS North America's industrial presence in the U.S.

EADS North America expands its industrial presence in the United States by opening the American Eurocopter manufacturing, assembly and customization facility in Columbus, Mississippi. The new plant will employ a staff of 100, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing and support personnel. They will be responsible for the manufacturing, assembly and customization of Eurocopter aircraft. The Mississippi facility is a highly visible example of EADS’s policy to be a good corporate citizen by bringing high-value jobs into the major markets where the company is located.

6 October 2004: EADS North America Acquires Racal Instruments

EADS North America's acquisition of Racal Instruments Group markes the initiation of a core strategic element of growth through acquisition. Racal Instruments is a leader in the development, production, and integration of systems and instruments to test electronics, aerospace, and defense systems. Racal Instruments will be operated through EADS North America Defense Company. The acquisition of Racal Instruments is part of the long-term growth strategy of EADS in North America. It will facilitate the production of a more extensive range of products, and services.

21 September 2004: Creation of the EADS Corporate Research Foundation

EADS announces the creation of the EADS Corporate Research Foundation. With an allocation of €24 million over five years, the foundation is intended to nurture talent, ideas and knowledge by strengthening ties between the public and private research and education, industrial and technical communities. In 2003, EADS spent 17 percent of its annual revenues in R&D and self-financed almost half. The Foundation marks a new step in the Group's commitment to Knowledge and Research.

10 September 2004: Airbus passes 5,000 Order Milestone

Airbus passes a significant landmark after receiving its 5,000th aircraft order, just over 30 years after Airbus received its first ever order from Air France for the A300B2 type aircraft – the first commercial aircraft manufactured by Airbus. Since this aircraft went into service in 1974, Airbus has seen sales of its aircraft gain increasing momentum. The number of Airbus customers has now risen to 192 and the aircraft manufacturer boasts 225 operators of its aircraft.

1. September 2004: Federal President Horst Köhler visits Airbus site in Hamburg

The German Head of State, Federal President Horst Köhler visits the Airbus site in Hamburg, accompanied by the First Major Ole von Beust and about 140 members of the corps diplomatique. On a site tour, Köhler attended in the „Otto Lilienthal“ hall the final assembly of the A318, A319 and A321 (Single-Aisle A320-Family). He takes the opportunity to be seated in the cockpit of a Butan's Druk Air A319.

31 August 2004: Australia's choice for the NH90 marks another EADS breakthrough in Asia Pacific

Australia decides to acquire 12 NH90 transport helicopters to complete the troop-lift units of the Austrailan Army. This decision is not only a further demonstration of the competitiveness of the NH90. It also gives a boost to EADS' strategic goal to grow both its defence business in general and its activities in the Asia-Pacific region. The choice for NH90 transport helicopters continues a series of major successes for EADS in the Australian market, among them an order for 22 Tiger combat helicopters, a decision to buy five A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport Aircraft) and Qantas and Jetstar orders for numoerous Airbus commercial aircraft.

12 August 2004: EADS to provide an integrated homeland security system solution to Romania

EADS signs a contract with the Romanian Ministry of Administration and Internal Affairs to provide an integrated solution for border surveillance and security. This project, worth more than € 1 bn, will ensure that Romania meets the requirements of new EU members in the area of homeland security and border surveillance and will pave the way for a smooth entry into the Schengen Treaty. The entire project is scheduled for completion by December 2009.

26 July 2004: The Sultanate of Oman acquires NH90 transport helicopters

The acquisation contract for 20 helicopters between the Ministry of Defence of the Sultanate and NHIndustries prooves again the export potential of the leading edge technology NH90. It will strengthen the capabilities of the Oman Armed Forces in tactical tansport, search and rescue and other military issions in all terrains.

22 July 2004: Northrop Grumman and EADS to Collaborate on Ballistic Missile Defense Programmes

Northrop Grumman Corporation and EADS sign a memorandum of understanding to begin collaborating on ballistic-missile defense solutions. The memorandum establishes an industrial framework to enable and structure formal discussions between the two companies in order to identify and pursue business opportunities in the emerging global ballistic-missile defense market.

1 July 2004: EADS Future Soldier System protects German troops in Afghanistan

EADS will equip 150 soldiers of the German ISAF contingent in Afghanistan with the new future soldier system known as "Infanterist der Zukunft" (IdZ) (“Infantryman of the Future”), thus considerably enhancing the protection of the individual soldier during dangerous operations. The Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement has awarded EADS Defence Electronics an order (total value approx. € 10 mill.) for the delivery of 15 IdZ systems, each one for 10 soldiers. It is planned to equip further infantry units with the IdZ system.

28 June 2004: Intelsat 10-02 satellite reaches geostationary orbit

The Intelsat 10-02 spacecraft, designed and built by EADS Astrium for INTELSAT, has successfully performed early operations and is now in geostationary orbit. After its launch from Baikonur, the IS 10-02 satellite’s perigee altitude was raised in several burns of its own engine until it reached geostationary orbit. Its solar arrays were successfully deployed as were the antenna reflectors and the satellite is now accurately pointing to Earth.

11 June 2004: Contract for EC 120 assembly line in China

The official signing of the contract for the assembly in China of the EC 120 light helicopter – baptized the HC 120 for the Chinese market – takes place in Paris in the presence of the French Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin and the Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan, marking a decisive step forward in the development of co-operation between Eurocopter, CATIC and Hafei Aviation Industry Co. Ltd. This official signing follows the Memorandum of Agreement that was signed in Peking in November 2003.

17 May 2004: A380 engine begins flight trials on A340 testbed

The first engine destined to power the 21st century flagship A380, the Rolls-Royce Trent 900, makes a successful first flight aboard Airbus’ A340-300 testbed. The flight, which lasted 3 hours and 40 minutes, begins a 50-60 hour programme of some 30 flights spread over almost four months. These flight trials, which follow extensive ground testing by Rolls-Royce, will provide early feedback on engine behaviour in the air, paving the way for the trials on the Airbus A380 itself, which are due to begin early 2005.

11 May 2004: First serial NH90 presented at ILA

During ILA 2004 in Berlin, Eurocopter and its partner companies in the NHIndustries consortium publicly present the first serial NH90 helicopter to leave the Eurocopter production line in Germany. The aircraft, designated “TGEA01”, had performed its maiden flight the week before at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth facility, flying for 2 hours and 5 minutes and thus demonstrating the high standards of the NH90 programme.

10 May 2004: Three-billion-euro contract for Ariane 5 launchers

Arianespace and EADS SPACE Transportation sign a contract for 30 Ariane 5 launch vehicles during ILA at Berlin. The order, signed in the presence of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and the French Minister of Research François d’Aubert, is worth about € 3 bn. The contract signature marks the new role of EADS SPACE Transportation as single prime contractor for the Ariane 5 system.

7 May 2004: A380 assembly site opened by French Prime Minister

The Airbus A380 assembly facility in Toulouse is formally inaugurated by the French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin at a ceremony attended by more than 3,000 guests, including customers, government officials, suppliers and employees. The ceremony takes place inside the facility named after Jean-Luc Lagardère, who was co-Chairman of the Airbus shareholder EADS at the time of the A380 launch.

30 April 2004: Bundeswehr starts flight operations with Eurofighter

The Bundeswehr holds a ceremony at Laage near Rostock to mark the official start of Eurofighter flight operations. This is the beginning of a new era for the German Air Force. In future, all of the Luftwaffe's Eurofighter pilots are to receive their training at this base of Fighter Wing 73 "Steinhoff". The aircraft is to prove its suitability for "everyday operations" by continuing in Laage the field trials that began in Manching. The Eurofighter will form the backbone of the German Air Force, with the Bundeswehr procuring 180 of these aircraft by 2015. They are to replace the MiG-29 and F4-F Phantom systems and parts of the Tornado fleet.

28 April 2004: Airbus receives 180-minute ETOPS certification for the A320 family

The leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus receives 180-minute ETOPS (extended-range twin-engine operations) certification for its twin-jet standard-fuselage models A319, A320 and A321 and their business jet versions, which means that these aircraft are certified to safely reach the next suitable alternate airport within this time.

The certification has been granted by the new European flight safety agency EASA. For around 20 years now, the ETOPS regulations have determined the design of twin-jet aircraft and their use on routes from which, at the failure of one engine, the flight time to the next suitable alternate airport is more than 60 minutes. The maximum possible certified flight time to an alternate airport, which is based on the proved system and engine reliability for a specific aircraft type, has over the years been extended to 180 minutes

22 April 2004: TIPS industrial consortium is selected for NATO reconnaissance system

NATO selects the TIPS Industries consortium to supply the planned Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system. Six companies (EADS, Galileo Avionica, General Dynamics Canada, Indra, Northrop Grumman and Thales) have joined forces under the name TIPS (Transatlantic Industrial Proposed Solution) in order to participate in the competition for NATO's AGS programme. The consortium will equip the NATO Reaction Force with elementary ground surveillance capabilities by 2010, thus enabling NATO to meet the challenges of the 21st century in the areas of ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and C2 (Command and Control).

22 April 2004: EADS Astrium completes Amazonas satellite

EADS Astrium completes the construction of the Amazonas satellite. After the subsequent test phase, the satellite will be transported to Baikonur in Kazakhstan, where it will be prepared for launch. The Amazonas satellite will be the fifth satellite operated by Hispasat and will occupy a geostationary position at 61°W above the Amazon basin. With its 51 transponders, it will open up the whole spectrum of telecommunications services for North and South America and form a transatlantic link to Europe.

16 April 2004: EADS successful in competition for Australian tanker aircraft

EADS is selected to supply five Airbus tankers to the Australian Armed Forces. Following an invitation for bids, the latter decided in favour of the A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) aircraft offered by the Military Transport Aircraft Division of EADS. The A330 MRTT is the latest, most capable and most flexible air tanker on the global market and is to replace the current Australian fleet of Boeing 707 tanker aircraft.

The A330 MRTT is based on the civil version of the Airbus A330. The Australian air tankers will be equipped with the refuelling technology also used by the US Air Force, the "flying boom", a special tube for in-flight refuelling. In Spain, EADS is developing a new flying boom. Delivery of the first aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force is planned for 2007.

9 April 2004: China Southern orders 21 Airbus aircraft

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. signs a contract with Airbus covering the purchase of 21 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, namely 15 A320s and six A319s. The aircraft are to be delivered from the first quarter of 2005 on. The contract signature confirms the intention already announced in January. Through this contract, China Southern Airlines becomes one of the largest purchasers of the A320 in China and in Asia as a whole and consolidates its position as one of the leading domestic carriers in China.

2 April 2004: Training of Eurofighter flight instructors for Luftwaffe completed in Manching

The first future Eurofighter flight instructors of the Luftwaffe complete their training at EADS Military Aircraft and the Bundeswehr Technical Centre WTD 61 at Manching with a night flight. This means that the first Luftwaffe flight instructors are "ready for takeoff" on the Eurofighter.

A total of ten Luftwaffe pilots have been trained in three courses. The Luftwaffe itself will further train these pilots to become instructors of the future Eurofighter pilots. The operational testing that most of these pilots began in Manching will now be continued at Fighter Wing 73 "Steinhoff" at Laage near Rostock, where preparations are being made for on-base pilot training.

2 April 2004: EADS Astrium supplies basic digital data for environmental and land use planning

The cartographic authorities of Venezuela will in future be able to draw on up-to-date and much improved databases for their planning and decision-making in the areas of map-making, environment and land use planning. Infoterra GmbH, a Friedrichshafen-based 100 percent subsidiary of EADS Astrium, has now delivered the last map sheets to the Instituto Geográfico de Venezuela Simón Bolívar (IGVSB), thus completing the acquisition of basic data for the mapping of an area totalling 262,000 km² (equivalent to over two thirds of the surface of Germany).

The 518 radar maps and the corresponding digital data records will in future be used for a variety of tasks. They provide the basis for up-to-date maps of the region. In addition, they can also serve as a tool for the improved monitoring and planning of the region's natural resources.

29 March 2004: EADS supplies defence electronics to US Armed Forces

The US company ViaSat, Inc. places an order worth € 20 mill. with EADS Defence Electronics (DE) for the supply of electronic systems for the enhancement of the US armed forces' network centric operations. The contract covers the delivery of 400 power amplifiers, the core component in the US American datalink system MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System). MIDS is to be installed in numerous American fighter aircraft, military vehicles and ships of the US Navy and enables a data communications network, the prerequisite for networked operations, to be set up.

25 March 2004: EADS founds EADS Russia

By founding a company according to Russian law, EADS opens up the way to increased business activities in Russia. The joint programme undertaken by EADS and the Russian aerospace industry is forging ahead. The aim is to increase the production capacities for Airbus step-by-step up to a volume of $ US 40 mill. per annum in the coming years.

The EADS Technology Office in Moscow assesses collaborative Research and Technology projects that are to be undertaken by EADS in conjunction with various scientific institutions in Russia.

The Moscow-based engineering centre ECAR is the first Airbus design centre to be set up in Europe outside the core Airbus countries France, Germany, Great Britain and Spain. Approximately 50 Russian engineers are employed here. ECAR carries out extensive work in the areas of airframe structure, load tests and system installations.

24 March 2004: Eutelsat W3A reaches geostationary position

The satellite W3A built by EADS Astrium for Eutelsat successfully completes initial operations and reaches its geostationary position. The satellite, which weighs 4,250 kg, has over 50 transponders in the Ku- and Ka-bands and is to be used for Internet and commercial data transmissions as well as for television transmissions to Europe and Africa. Basic components such as the solar generator, which supplies energy to the high-tech equipment, come from production facilities at Ottobrunn near Munich and Backnang near Stuttgart.

The Eutelsat W3A is the first satellite from the new Eurostar E3000 series offered by EADS Astrium. This is the most recent and most powerful member of the Eurostar family. To date, a total of 37 Eurostar satellites have been ordered, of which 23 have been launched and are proving themselves in operational service.

18 March 2004: Fuselage section for first A380 completed at Airbus's Hamburg plant

At Airbus in Hamburg, the first equipped fuselage section for the brand new 555-seat superjumbo A380 is completed. This section represents the forward part of the fuselage, which will later be united with the cockpit section. The forward fuselage section is approximately 11 metres long, has a maximum cross section of 8.4 metres and weighs ten tonnes. The upper shell is constructed entirely from the newly-developed material GLARE, which consists of aluminium-fibreglass sheeting. Major component assembly had started at Hamburg in August 2003. Series production of four A380 aircraft per month is due to begin in the year 2008.

8 March 2004: EADS exceeds profit target for 2003

In the year 2003, EADS again clearly surpassed its profit target. At € 1.54 bn, the Group's EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes, Goodwill Depreciation and Exceptionals) was well above the previously formulated target of approx. € 1.4 bn and roughly eight percent above the 2002 figure.

Thanks to the solid growth in the defence business and the Airbus operating result, which were both better than expected, the EADS EBIT lay markedly above the forecasts. A considerable share of the EBIT rise was accounted for by the 40 percent growth chalked up by the Defence and Security Systems Division with significant contributions to profit from Military Aircraft and MBDA, the turnaround in the Military Transport Aircraft Division thanks to the improved earnings situation, and the 21 percent EBIT rise in the Aeronautics Division resulting from the higher profitability of Eurocopter. As expected, the Space Division showed an EBIT of € -400 mill. after restructuring costs of € -288 mill. The EADS EBIT also includes a higher contribution from the 46.03 percent participation in Dassault Aviation.

5 March 2004: EADS CEO Rainer Hertrich takes charge of the Aeronautics Division; new management for the Military Aircraft and Defence Electronics Business Units

The Board of Directors accepts the resignation request from Dietrich Russell (62), who has decided to leave the Board for personal reasons. Rainer Hertrich (54) is to replace Russell at the head the Aeronautics Division from 1 April 2004 in addition to fulfilling his function as CEO of EADS.

The Board of EADS appoints Johann Heitzmann (50) as head of the EADS Military Aircraft Business Unit. Heitzmann succeeds Aloysius Rauen (47), who transfers to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Eurofighter GmbH, which is located at Halbergmoos near Munich. Heitzmann, who is to take up his new task in Ottobrunn on 1 May, previously headed the EADS Defence Electronics Business Unit located in Ulm. His successor is Bernhard Gerwert (50), who was previously in charge of the Air and Naval Defence activity in Ulm.

2 March 2004: Rosetta underway to "cosmic icebox"

Successful start to a European space mission: the cometary probe Rosetta, built under the leadership of EADS Astrium in Friedrichshafen, is sent on its long journey to the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko aboard the European launcher Ariane 5. After a 105-minute thrustless ballistic flight, the upper Storable Propellant Stage (EPS) built by EADS SPACE Transportation catapulted the probe to a flight velocity of 40,000 km/h – a first-time achievement in space flight. Only when this speed has been reached is it possible for a spacecraft to leave low Earth orbit.

The probe of the European Space Agency ESA will now be underway for roughly ten years before it reaches its destination. The long journey will follow a winding route through our solar system. The rendezvous with the comet will take place at 675 million kilometres from the Earth. In all, the probe will cover a distance of about five billion kilometres and, in addition, will for the first time in space history release a lander that will touch down on a comet. The Rosetta lander Philae, developed under the leadership of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is a miniature laboratory for taking samples from the comet's surface and determining the composition of the comet's core.

20 February 2004: First flight of the Australian Tiger ARH

The first production model of the Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) destined for Australia flies for the first time at Eurocopter's Marignane site. This 50-minute flight allows the test crew to check all systems for correct operation and prove that the helicopter covers its whole flight envelope.
The Australian ARH version of the Tiger is a derivative of the Franco-German Tiger. It is equipped with a specific weapons suite, comprising in particular: 70 mm rockets and Hellfire II air-to-ground guided missiles on the four weapons stations and also a specific Australian communications and data transmission system. After very lively competition (Cobra from Bell, Apache from Boeing and Mangusta from Agusta), in August 2001 Australia decided in favour of the Tiger from Eurocopter.

18 February 2004: EADS CASA participates in US Coast Guard's Deepwater programme

The U.S. Coast Guard selects and orders the CN-235 from EADS CASA as the naval reconnaissance platform for its Deepwater programme. Other EADS Divisions, for example EADS Defence and Security Systems, are also participating in this programme. Thanks to the broad range of capabilities that EADS is contributing, the company is now one of the most important equipment suppliers for this comprehensive modernisation of homeland security infrastructures. The EADS team is cooperating closely with the prime contractor for Deepwater, Lockheed Martin.

18 February 2004: EC 135 writes helicopter history

It is ten years since Eurocopter's successful model, the EC 135, first took off. This completely new helicopter concept conquered the markets and became a bestseller for Eurocopter. Down to the present day, the helicopter that undertook the maiden flight still serves its manufacturer as a test bed for special equipment and new systems.

Back in 1994, the first flight lasted an hour and a half, during which behaviour during hovering flight, vibration characteristics and flight speed were tested. Nowadays, the twin-engine EC 135, which weighs 2.8 tonnes, is the undisputed market leader, being used for police and air rescue missions as well as corporate/VIP transport tasks.

29 January 2004: Skynet 5 PFI wins accolades

At the Infrastructure Journal annual awards, the Skynet 5 Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract, which was signed by the EADS subsidiary Paradigm Secure Communications and the UK Ministry of Defence in October last year, is acclaimed as “PPP (Public Private Partnership) Deal of the Year 2003”. This is the second such accolade for Skynet 5 in less than a month. It follows the Thomson Financial “PPP Deal of the Year” award presented at the PFI Annual Awards.

26 January 2004: Strategic breakthrough for EADS: Royal Air Force selects AirTanker

© EADS

EADS welcomes the selection of AirTanker to take forward negotiations aimed at concluding a contract for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme, supplying A330-200 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft) services to meet the Royal Air Force's requirement for next generation tanker aircraft. With a 40 percent share, EADS is the largest partner in AirTanker, being responsible for production and equipping of the aircraft.

AirTanker is set to become the industrial partner for the UK Ministry of Defence's £13bn Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme, which is planned to cover a 27-year service period. This Private Financing Initiative (PFI) would be the largest in the defence sector to date.

21 January 2004: Eurocopter confirms its leading position

Having received 293 orders for new helicopters, Eurocopter is once again ranked as the Number One helicopter manufacturer worldwide. It holds a 45 percent share of the market in terms of new civil and military helicopters ordered, which is a share of 25 percent by value. Total incoming orders for new and used helicopters, customer services, R&D activities and other activities are worth € 2.57 bn and are divided equally between the civil and military sectors.

19 January 2004: German High Resolution Stereo Camera provides fascinating view of Mars

© EADS

The European Mars Express probe transmits the first fascinating 3-D colour image from its orbit around the Red Planet back to earth. The image was taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC), which was built by EADS Astrium GmbH in Friedrichshafen under contract to the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The photo shows a 1,700 km long and 65 km wide section of the "Grand Canyon" – Vallis Marineris – on Mars with a resolution of 12 metres. Mars Express, which was developed and built by EADS Astrium as prime contractor to ESA, has been orbiting our neighbouring planet in a polar orbit at an altitude of 250 kilometres since the beginning of January. The HRSC – a masterpiece of optics – is the technical highlight of the Mars Express probe. Thanks to this instrument, it is possible to produce highly accurate images of the surface of Mars and present these in three dimensions.

15 January 2004: 2003 an excellent year for Airbus: the year it became worldwide Number One

With 305 deliveries in 2003, Airbus exceeded its target of 300 units. Despite the recent difficulties and uncertainties in the aviation sector, it delivered roughly the same number as in the previous year (303). This volume corresponds to a 52% share of all aircraft delivered in 2003. The 2003 deliveries included the first A318 aircraft for Frontier Airlines of the USA and Air France, and the first A340-500s for Qatar, Emirates and Singapore Airlines.

In 2003, Airbus received a total of 284 new firm orders from 24 customers. These orders secure Airbus a 54 percent market share in the 100-plus seat category. Taking order cancellations into account, Airbus currently has a total of 254 aircraft on its order book, which gives the company a 52 percent share of the commercial aircraft market.

8 January 2004: EADS expects an approximately 20 percent higher EBIT for 2004

EADS expects an increase in its operating profits in 2004. Although the recovery of the civil aviation market is not expected until 2005, EADS is aiming in 2004 for a growth of approximately 20 percent in its EBIT (Earning Before Interest and Tax, pre goodwill amortisation and exceptional items) compared to the expected profit for 2003. EADS once again confirms its targets for the full year of 2003. It is expecting an EBIT of roughly € 1.4 bn, meaning that both the 2003 EBIT and revenues are at the same level as in 2002.

In 2004, EADS is aiming for revenues of approx. €29 to €30 bn, thus being set to achieve a fourth consecutive year of stable revenues despite the general downturn in the aerospace industry.

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