CASA (aircraft manufacturer)
| Company type | Private (before merger) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defence |
| Founded | 1923 |
| Founder | José Ortiz-Echagüe |
| Fate | Merged into EADS CASA in 1999; later integrated into Airbus Military in 2009 |
| Successor | EADS CASA, Airbus Military |
| Headquarters | Getafe , Spain |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Domingo Ureña-Raso (CEO of EADS-CASA) |
| Products | Military transport aircraft, trainer and attack aircraft, UAV systems |
| Owner | Spanish government (majority shareholder by 1992) |
Number of employees | 7,500 (circa 1999) (1999) |
| Parent | EADS (from 1999), later Airbus Military |
Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) was a Spanish aircraft manufacturing company established in 1923, with production commencing in 1924. It became part of EADS in 1999 under the name EADS CASA and was later integrated into Airbus Military in 2009. CASA was renowned for its military transport aircraft, including models such as the CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, CASA C-295, as well as the CASA C-101 trainer and ground attack plane.
History
CASA was founded in 1923 by José Ortiz-Echagüe, who established the company’s initial manufacturing facility in Getafe by 1924, producing aircraft under license from Breguet. Two years later, a second factory opened in Cadiz, where licensed Dornier Do J Wal seaplanes were built for both military and commercial purposes. The company’s first original design appeared with the CASA-1 in 1929. Early projects included licensed builds of the French Breguet 19 and British Vickers Vildebeest torpedo bombers.
Throughout the Spanish Civil War, production relocated but continued with aircraft such as the Soviet Polikarpov I-15 fighter. After the conflict, expansion included opening a new plant in Seville and licensed production of German designs like the Heinkel He 111 bomber (designated CASA 2.111), which were re-engined with Rolls-Royce Merlin engines; a total of 236 units were manufactured between 1940 and 1956.
Starting in 1943, the Spanish government gradually increased its ownership stake, becoming the majority shareholder by 1992. In 1957, CASA won contracts from the United States Air Force to maintain F-100 Super Sabres, as well as from Spain to service T-33 jets. The licensed manufacture of Northrop F-5A fighters began in 1962. In 1971, CASA merged with Hispano Aviación.
As one of the founding members of the Airbus Consortium in 1972, CASA developed the C-101 trainer and attack aircraft for Spain's air force by 1977 and later participated in the Eurofighter Typhoon program starting in 1996. After joining EADS in 1999 and operating as EADS-CASA, it employed around 7,500 personnel under CEO Domingo Ureña-Raso.
Formed in 2000 through a merger that included CASA, EADS became the third-largest aerospace corporation worldwide, employing roughly 100,000 people. In July 2001, EADS-CASA began final assembly work on the Eurofighter Typhoon at Getafe—one of four European assembly lines—producing right wings and assembling 87 aircraft for Spain’s Air Force, with deliveries commencing late in 2002.
Military Transport Aircraft Division
The Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD) of EADS CASA, headquartered in Madrid, manufactures military transport planes such as the Airbus A330-200 adapted for air-to-air refuelling. These variants serve operators including the Royal Australian Air Force and the UK's Royal Air Force through AirTanker. MTAD specializes in light to medium military transports with payload capacities between three and nine tonnes.
Previously responsible for industrial and technical aspects of the A400M program, this role has since been transferred to Airbus Military.
Products
- CASA I prototype leading to CASA III
- CASA III two-seat sporting monoplane introduced in 1929
- CASA 1.131 Jungmann licensed production of Bücker Bü 131
- CASA 1.133 Jungmeister licensed build of Bücker Bü 133
- CASA 2.111 licensed Heinkel He 111 bomber
- CASA 352 licensed Junkers Ju 52
- CASA C-101 Aviojet trainer/attack aircraft
- CASA C-102
- CASA C-112 two-seat trainer model
- CASA C.127 licensed Dornier Do 27
- CASA C-201 Alcotán
- CASA C-202 Halcón
- CASA C-207 Azor
- CASA C-212 Aviocar military transport aircraft
- CASA C-223 Flamingo licensed MBB 223 Flamingo
- CASA CN-235 regional airliner and military transport variant
- EADS CASA HC-144 Ocean Sentry maritime patrol version
- CASA C-295 regional airliner and military transport platform
- Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft
- CASA SF-5A, SF-5B, SRF-5A licensed Northrop F-5 variants
- unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems
- Polikarpov I-15 fighter aircraft
- Polikarpov I-16 fighter aircraft
Additional Partnerships
- Airbus; provides components for commercial passenger airplanes as a subcontractor
- Airbus Military; involved as a subcontractor in the Airbus A400M Atlas program
- Boeing; acts as a subcontractor delivering parts for Boeing's commercial aircraft
- Eurofighter GmbH; responsible for manufacturing the right wing of the Eurofighter Typhoon as a subcontractor
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation