Aerospatiale Matra

Aerospatiale Matra is a French-based private company, operating on a global scale in four business sectors :

* Aircraft (aeroplanes, helicopters, services)

* Defence (strategic missiles and missile systems)

* Space (satellites, launch vehicles, orbital infrastructures)

* Systems, Services and Telecommunications (networks, C31 systems, encrypted radiocommunication)

With sales of 13 billion euros in 1999, including 70% in export markets, the group is:

N° 2 in Europe

N° 5 World-wide in the sector.

AIRCRAFT

Aerospatiale Matra’s aircraft business generates more than half of the company’s sales. Comprising five subsidiaries - Aerospatiale Matra Airbus, Aerospatiale Matra ATR, Socata, Sogerma and Eurocopter – it covers all aspects of this sector : civilian aircraft from 4 to nearly 400 seats, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), civil and military helicopters (Eurocopter) and combat aircraft.

DEFENCE

Aerospatiale Matra is the leading European manufacturer of tactical missiles, and Number 2 world-wide based in terms of sales. The group’s missiles and missile systems activities are now concentrated in Matra Bae Dynamics (equally owned by Aerospatiale Matra and Bae Systems) and in Aerospatiale Matra Missiles. Matra Bae Dynamics also has a 30% share of LFK, a DaimlerChrysler Aerospace subsidiary which is the German leader in this sector.

SPACE

Aerospatiale Matra is one of the leading space companies in the world. It operates through two subsidiaries : Aerospatiale Matra Lanceurs (the launch vehicle and strategic missiles unite), and Matra Marconi Space.

Aerospatiale Matra Lanceurs is the industrial architect and systems integrator for all Ariane launchers. The company is also contractor for France’s strategic missiles.

Matra Marconi Space is a joint venture company formed by Aerospatiale Matra (France) and Bae Systems (UK). Its activities cover science and Earth observation, telecommunications and ground systems, military programmes, launchers and orbital infrastructure.

SYSTEMS, SERVICES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Aerospatiale Matra’ Systems, Services and Telecommunications business has been organised into 5 operating units.

* C4ISR (Commande, Controle, Communication, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, Renseignement). It includes the subsidiaries MS&I, APIC, Fleximage and ISTAR.

* Services and Tests comprises testing activities and the subsidiaries APSYS, CRIS, G2i and Sycomore.

* Design and production comprises Matra Datavision and its subsidiaries.

* Internet and Operators Services comprises Matranet, MCNSat Holding, MGN and Multicoms.

* Telecoms includes Intecom and Matra Nortel Communications.

LEADERSHIP

ANTICIPATING

Strategic vision and innovation are the very sinews of this group which excels in constantly creating new concepts thanks to 300 highly skilled engineers and doctors. 14% of its turnover is devoted to Research and Development. The A3XX or A400M projects well illustrate such conviction and ambition that made the group come to the front.

Tomorrow, the Flying Wing, the Supersonic Aircraft, the International Space Station or the Mars conquest will push our borders far away.

Listening, Creativity and Excellence make us be a length ahead on the world stage.

ALLIANCE

The creation of European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (EADS) follows thirty years of successful European co-operation: Airbus 1970, Euromissile 1972, Arianespace 1992, Matra Bae Dynamics (missile systems) 1996, and Astrium (space activities) now in the final stage of completion.

EADS involves the integration into a single company of the industrial assets and programmes of Aerospatiale Matra, the German DASA and the Spanish CASA. The turnover will be 21 billion Euros spread between civil (65%) and military (35%) activities with 70% of the account in exports.

The Homogeneity of the aeronautic, space and defence sectors associates with EADS’ wide scope of activity, products and clients will lead to strong creative synergies and the ability to cope with cyclical economic downturns in this field.