Airbus Military

Airbus Military was a historical Airbus business unit responsible for military transport and related aviation programmes. It was formally created in April 2009 when Airbus integrated the former Military Transport Aircraft Division and Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada into a unified business. The organisation inherited a portfolio that combined newly developed multinational aircraft with established transport platforms originating from CASA and EADS. Its most prominent programme was the A400M Atlas, a European multinational turboprop airlifter intended to bridge the capabilities of tactical and strategic transport aircraft. The programme was designed for personnel and cargo movement, airdrop, logistical support and operations from comparatively austere airfields. Airbus Military also marketed and supported the C-295 and CN-235 medium transport aircraft, which were used for military transport and adapted for roles such as maritime patrol and other special missions. The product portfolio additionally included the CASA C-212 Aviocar and the A330 MRTT, a military derivative of the Airbus A330 capable of aerial refuelling as well as passenger and cargo transport. The organisation had roots extending beyond its 2009 formation. Airbus Military Company SAS had been established in January 1999 to manage the A400M project after taking over from the Euroflag consortium. In May 2003, it was restructured as Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada, with its headquarters moved to Madrid. Separately, EADS’s Military Transport Aircraft Division managed the design, manufacture and sale of EADS-CASA light and medium transport aircraft. The integration of these activities brought the A400M organisation and the existing CASA-derived aircraft portfolio closer together within Airbus. Airbus Military operated during the final years of EADS and the transition to Airbus Group. In January 2014, Airbus Military, Astrium and Cassidian were combined into the new Airbus Defence and Space division. This restructuring ended Airbus Military as a standalone corporate entity and business name, although its aircraft programmes, production activities, customer relationships and support operations continued within Airbus Defence and Space. Accordingly, Airbus Military is best understood as a historical organisational brand rather than a current independent aircraft manufacturer. Current information about its continuing programmes belongs principally to Airbus Defence and Space and the wider Airbus defence business.

Airbus Military’s immediate origins lay in the European effort to develop the A400M military transport aircraft. Airbus Military Company SAS was established in January 1999 to manage the programme after assuming responsibility from the Euroflag consortium. In May 2003, the organisation was restructured as Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada, and its headquarters moved to Madrid, Spain. The company’s role was closely associated with the development, coordination and industrial management of the A400M project. A separate predecessor was the Military Transport Aircraft Division of EADS. Headquartered in Madrid, this division designed, manufactured and sold the light and medium transport aircraft inherited from EADS-CASA. Its portfolio included the CASA C-212 Aviocar, the CN-235 and the C-295. These aircraft formed the established transport-aircraft foundation that would later sit alongside the A400M within Airbus’s military-aircraft activities. On 16 December 2008, EADS announced that the Military Transport Aircraft Division and Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada would be integrated into Airbus. The integration was implemented in April 2009, when Airbus Military became the group’s principal business name for military transport aircraft and associated programmes. In February 2009, Domingo Ureña-Raso was appointed chairman and chief executive. The organisation combined programme management and industrial activities for the A400M with sales, production and support responsibilities for CASA-derived aircraft. It was also associated with the A330 MRTT, a military conversion of the Airbus A330 designed to provide aerial refuelling, passenger transport and cargo capacity. The business operated during the transition from EADS to Airbus Group. On 31 July 2013, EADS announced a broader reorganisation in which its major defence and space activities would be consolidated. In January 2014, Airbus Military, Astrium and Cassidian were merged into Airbus Defence and Space. The move ended Airbus Military as an independent corporate entity and replaced its organisational identity with a broader division covering defence, space and military aviation. The reorganisation did not terminate the underlying aircraft programmes. The A400M, C-295, CN-235, A330 MRTT and related support activities continued under Airbus Defence and Space and its subsequent organisational structures. Airbus Military therefore represents a transitional Airbus business brand used principally from 2009 through the 2014 reorganisation, rather than a presently independent company.

• 2014

  Airbus Defence and Space formed

  [2]Airbus Defenceairbus.com

  Airbus Military was merged with Astrium and Cassidian into Airbus Defence and Space, ending its standalone corporate identity.

• 2013

  EADS announces Airbus Group reorganisation

  [1]Airbus Militaryen.wikipedia.org

  EADS announced a group reorganisation that would consolidate Airbus Military, Astrium and Cassidian into a new defence and space division.

• 2009

  Airbus Military formally created

  [1]Airbus Militaryen.wikipedia.org

  Airbus completed the integration of the relevant military transport activities, creating Airbus Military as a unified business unit.

• 2008

  EADS announces integration of military transport activities

  [1]Airbus Militaryen.wikipedia.org

  EADS announced that the Military Transport Aircraft Division and Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada would be integrated into Airbus.

• 2003

  Restructured as Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada

  [1]Airbus Militaryen.wikipedia.org

  The A400M management organisation was restructured as Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada and moved its headquarters to Madrid.

• 1999

  Airbus Military Company SAS established

  [1]Airbus Militaryen.wikipedia.org

  Airbus Military Company SAS was established to manage the A400M programme after taking over responsibility from the Euroflag consortium.

Military transport, aerial refuelling and specialised mission aviation for armed forces and government operators.

• Military airlifter

  A400M Atlas

  The A400M Atlas is a multinational turboprop military transport aircraft developed to cover a range between tactical and strategic airlift. Its intended missions include personnel and cargo transport, airdrop, logistical support and operations from relatively austere airfields. It was the defining development programme associated with Airbus Military and remained within Airbus’s defence portfolio after the 2014 reorganisation.

• Aerial refuelling and multi-role tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT

  The A330 MRTT is a military derivative of the Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. It combines aerial refuelling with passenger and cargo transport, giving air forces a long-range platform for air mobility and support missions. The programme was one of Airbus Military’s principal offerings and continued under Airbus Defence and Space.

• Medium military transport aircraft

  C-295

  The C-295 is a medium transport aircraft developed for military and government operators. Its adaptable configuration supports personnel and cargo transport, airdrop and specialised missions, including maritime patrol variants. It was part of the CASA-derived aircraft portfolio managed and marketed by Airbus Military and later transferred to Airbus Defence and Space.

• Medium military transport aircraft

  CN-235

  The CN-235 is a light-to-medium transport aircraft associated with the CASA and partner production system. It supports tactical transport and has been adapted for maritime patrol and other specialised roles. The type represented an established product line inherited by Airbus Military through the EADS-CASA military transport business.

• Light military transport aircraft

  CASA C-212 Aviocar

  The C-212 Aviocar is a light transport aircraft developed by CASA and included in the EADS-CASA military transport portfolio. Its design supports short-haul logistics, personnel and cargo transport and other utility missions. The aircraft formed part of the legacy product base incorporated into Airbus Military’s activities.

• 2014

  Merge Airbus Military into Airbus Defence and SpaceStrategy

  Background

  Airbus Group reorganised its defence, space and military aviation activities into a more consolidated divisional structure.

  Action taken

  Airbus Military was combined with Astrium and Cassidian to create Airbus Defence and Space.

  Aftermath

  The Airbus Military name ceased to represent a standalone corporate entity, while its aircraft programmes and support activities continued within Airbus Defence and Space.

  Source

• 2009

  Unify military transport activities under Airbus MilitaryStrategy

  Background

  EADS and Airbus sought to bring the A400M management organisation together with the Military Transport Aircraft Division and its CASA-derived aircraft portfolio.

  Action taken

  The former Military Transport Aircraft Division and Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada were integrated into Airbus under the Airbus Military name.

  Aftermath

  The unified business became Airbus’s principal military transport aircraft organisation until the creation of Airbus Defence and Space.

  Source

1. 1Airbus Militaryen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Airbus Defenceairbus.com