Airbus Group
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Herndon, Virginia , United States |
Area served | North America |
Key people | Fabrice Brégier (former CEO of Airbus Group Inc.) |
| Products | Fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, defense electronics, avionics, surveillance systems |
Number of employees | 3,200 (2019) |
| Parent | Airbus SAS |
Airbus Group, Inc. (previously known as EADS North America) directs the North American operations of the European aerospace leader Airbus. Based in Herndon, Virginia, the company engages in U.S. Department of Defense projects, frequently acting as the prime contractor. It operates under a Special Security Arrangement, which allows it to independently manage classified U.S. defense contracts despite its foreign ownership status. The workforce numbers approximately 3,200 employees, with reported revenues reaching $1.3 billion in 2019.
Within the United States, Airbus Group, Inc. manages several subsidiaries such as Airbus Helicopters, Inc., Cassidian Communications, Airbus Military North America, Fairchild Controls, and EADS North America Test and Services. These entities function across 29 locations in 15 states, providing both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft for commercial and defense sectors, along with technologies for land and maritime surveillance, border security systems, emergency call processing solutions, defense electronics, avionics, and related support services.
History
Since its inception in 2003, Airbus Group Inc. has grown through strategic acquisitions and military aviation contracts.
In 1974, Aérospatiale took full ownership of Vought Helicopter and rebranded it as Aerospatiale Helicopter Corporation in 1976. By 1979, a new helicopter manufacturing site was launched in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Significant milestones include:
- 2002: The Grand Prairie plant was rebranded as Eurocopter
- 2003: Became American Eurocopter under EADS North America ownership
- October 2004: Acquired Racal Instruments (currently EADS North America Test and Services)
- October 2004: Established an 85,500 sq. ft. helicopter manufacturing facility at Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Mississippi
- November 2005: Purchased Talon Instruments (now part of EADS North America Test and Services)
- June 2006: Partnered with Sikorsky as prime contractor for the Light Utility Helicopter program
- February 2007: Launched Airbus Engineering Center in Mobile, Alabama
- July–August 2007: Chosen to supply DT-35 and DT-45 unmanned aerial targets to the U.S. Army
- February 2008: Selected alongside Northrop Grumman to deliver KC-45 tankers to the U.S. Air Force (contract subsequently canceled)
- April 2008: Acquired Plant CML, a provider of emergency response technology based in Temecula, California
- October 2009: Expanded Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Delivery Center at Mobile Regional Airport
On July 2, 2012, Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier revealed plans for a $600 million aircraft assembly plant at Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile, Alabama. This facility is intended to produce the A319, A320, and A321 aircraft models and is expected to create up to 1,000 permanent jobs. Construction commenced on April 8, 2013, with operations anticipated by 2016 and full production capacity aimed at four aircraft per month.
Light Utility Helicopter
Airbus Group Inc. acts as the prime contractor for the U.S. Army’s UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter program, which is derived from the commercial EC145 model. Since securing the contract in June 2006, over 200 of the planned total of 351 helicopters have been delivered.
The FY2011 order added 32 additional Lakotas, increasing total orders to 219—214 allocated for the Army and five for Navy use. The Army’s target is to procure a total of 346 helicopters by 2016, with an aggregate of 351 units across both military branches.
On November 16, 2017, Airbus SE transferred its fully owned subsidiary Airbus Group Inc to its French affiliate Airbus SAS for €605 million. This transaction reflected a valuation exceeding book value and allowed Airbus SE to reverse a previous impairment.
Homeland security and homeland defense
As of April 2011, EADS was positioned as the 11th largest supplier to the Department of Homeland Security and held the second spot among providers to the U.S. Coast Guard. Its aircraft make up 54% of the helicopter fleet for Customs and Border Protection and account for 71% of the Coast Guard's rotorcraft.
Airbus Group Inc. serves as the lead contractor for the HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft, a key element in the Coast Guard’s fleet modernization efforts; to date, 13 out of the intended 36 units have been delivered. The H-65 Dolphin helicopter fulfills multiple roles including search and rescue, fisheries enforcement, maritime security, border surveillance, immigration control, and anti-narcotics operations.
The UH-72A Lakota helicopter supports a variety of missions for the U.S. Army and National Guard, such as search and rescue, disaster response, drug interdiction, and medical evacuation across the country. Additional rotary-wing assets from Airbus Group’s American Eurocopter subsidiary are deployed by Customs and Border Protection along extensive border areas and also serve agencies like the Coast Guard, FBI, DEA, among other law enforcement organizations.
Cassidian Communications, a subsidiary, provides emergency alert systems, call center infrastructure, and public safety radio technologies. With nearly 600 employees spread over several U.S. states and Canada, Cassidian secures communication networks serving more than 200 million Americans.
The versatile TRS-3D radar system has been installed aboard the Coast Guard’s National Security Cutter as well as the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship. This compact radar supports functions including surveillance, self-defense capabilities, fire control support, and helicopter guidance.
Other U.S.-focused security innovations include:
- SONEX-P: a portable device designed for rapid detection of chemical, radiological, and explosive hazards.
- ECTOCRYP BLACK: an advanced voice encryption platform that facilitates secure communications over both unclassified and classified networks among widely dispersed users.
U.S. Air Force KC-45 Tanker
In 2008, EADS North America collaborated with prime contractor Northrop Grumman to secure the KC-X aerial refueling tanker contract; however, this award was later rescinded in favor of Boeing. After Northrop Grumman withdrew from the program in 2010, EADS North America assumed the role of prime contractor. EADS submitted a compliant bid in July 2010 but ultimately lost to Boeing when the Air Force finalized its decision in February 2011; EADS opted not to file a protest.
The KC-45A tanker was planned to be based on EADS’ Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), itself derived from the Airbus A330 commercial airliner platform, with assembly operations slated for Mobile, Alabama.
Facilities
Since 2003, EADS North America has grown its physical presence with expanded operations across Mississippi, Texas, California, and Alabama. Additionally, three new U.S. locations were established:
- Columbus, Mississippi
- Mobile International Airport in Alabama
- Airbus Engineering Center in Alabama