Cassidian

Cassidian was the defence and security business brand created by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) in 2010. It brought together EADS activities in military aircraft, missile systems, defence electronics, secure communications and related services. The name was introduced as part of an effort to give EADS Defence & Security Systems a distinct international identity focused on protection, security and military technology. Cassidian was not an independent consumer-facing company; it was a business division and operating brand within the EADS group. The brand inherited capabilities assembled by EADS through the integration of major European aerospace and defence businesses. Its organizational roots included DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, the Spanish aircraft manufacturer CASA, missile specialist LFK and defence-electronics operations. In 2003, EADS combined missile systems, defence electronics, military aircraft and telecommunications activities into EADS Defence & Security Systems. That organization was renamed Cassidian on 17 September 2010. Its portfolio was subsequently arranged around missile systems, defence electronics, military aircraft and defence and communications systems, with services and cybersecurity becoming additional areas of activity. Cassidian's product and technology scope was broad. It participated in the Eurofighter Typhoon programme and supported military aircraft activities involving platforms such as the A400M, A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, C-295, CN-235 and C-212. Its unmanned-systems portfolio and research work included tactical and short-range unmanned aerial vehicles, demonstrators and high-altitude surveillance concepts. In missiles, it inherited the activities associated with LFK and contributed to a European guided-weapons business that was later represented through MBDA. Its electronics and systems work covered sensors, mission avionics, command-and-control, secure communications, surveillance and electronic intelligence. In 2012, EADS also established Cassidian CyberSecurity GmbH in the German market. Cassidian operated primarily in Europe but addressed international government, armed-forces and security customers. Its business was shaped by long development cycles, multinational procurement programmes, export controls and the strategic requirements of national governments. Unlike a mass-market brand, its visibility came from aircraft programmes, defence contracts, industrial partnerships and government technology projects rather than retail distribution or consumer advertising. The Cassidian identity had a short life. In 2013, EADS announced a restructuring that combined Cassidian with Astrium and Airbus Military. On 1 January 2014, EADS was reorganized as Airbus, and the three businesses were brought together within Airbus Defence and Space. Cassidian therefore ceased to function as a separate principal brand, while many of its programmes, personnel and capabilities continued under Airbus Defence and Space. Airbus later simplified its group branding, with the main operating divisions increasingly presented under the Airbus name. Cassidian is consequently best understood as a former EADS defence-and-security brand and an organizational predecessor of Airbus Defence and Space, rather than as a currently active standalone company.

Cassidian emerged from the consolidation of European aerospace and defence capabilities under EADS. The wider industrial lineage included DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Construcciones Aeronáuticas (CASA), LFK and other national defence businesses. EADS was created in 2000 through the combination of major French, German and Spanish aerospace interests, establishing a multinational group with civil aerospace, military aircraft, missile, electronics and space activities. On 1 July 2003, EADS formed EADS Defence & Security Systems by combining missile systems, defence electronics, military aircraft and telecommunications activities. The structure was intended to coordinate capabilities that had previously been distributed across different national companies and product organizations. It covered both platform manufacturing and the electronic, software and communications systems used by military and government customers. On 17 September 2010, the division adopted the Cassidian name. The name was presented as a combination associated with protection and global reach, and it marked an attempt to create a recognizable international identity for EADS's defence and security activities. Cassidian was organized into areas including missiles, defence electronics, Cassidian Air Systems, defence and communication systems and services. Its work ranged from sensors and mission avionics to missile technologies, military aircraft, secure communications and integrated command systems. The brand also participated in major European cooperative programmes. Its military-aircraft heritage connected it with the Eurofighter Typhoon and other multinational platforms, while related EADS organizations handled or shared responsibility for transport and tanker aircraft such as the A400M and A330 MRTT. Cassidian's technology portfolio also included unmanned-aircraft programmes and demonstrators intended to develop surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic intelligence and future combat-air-system capabilities. The organization inherited the LFK missile business and contributed to the broader European guided-weapons sector, including activities connected with MBDA. Cassidian expanded into cybersecurity in 2012 through the establishment of Cassidian CyberSecurity GmbH in Germany. This reflected the increasing overlap between conventional defence, secure information infrastructure, cyber operations and protection of governmental systems. The business served institutional and governmental customers rather than consumers, and its commercial environment was determined by national procurement decisions, multinational industrial agreements, regulation and export controls. In 2013, EADS began a major reorganization designed to simplify its structure and align related businesses. Cassidian was merged with Astrium, the group's space business, and Airbus Military. On 1 January 2014, EADS itself was reorganized as Airbus, and the combined operation became Airbus Defence and Space. The Cassidian name consequently disappeared as a separate group-level brand, although the underlying programmes and technical capabilities continued within Airbus. Airbus subsequently moved toward a more unified corporate identity and further adjusted its portfolio through divestments and business reorganizations. Cassidian is therefore a defunct brand whose principal historical significance lies in its role as the immediate defence-and-security predecessor of Airbus Defence and Space.

• 2016

  Defence electronics divestment decision

  [1]Airbus Defence and Spaceen.wikipedia.org

  Airbus decided to sell its Ulm-based defence electronics business to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts during a portfolio review.

• 2014

  Cassidian absorbed into Airbus

  [1]Airbus Defence and Spaceen.wikipedia.org

  EADS became Airbus and Cassidian became part of Airbus Defence and Space, ending its separate brand identity.

• 2013

  Merger into Airbus Defence and Space announced

  [1]Airbus Defence and Spaceen.wikipedia.org

  Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military were selected for combination in EADS's new defence and space structure.

• 2012

  Cybersecurity business added

  [1]Airbus Defence and Spaceen.wikipedia.org

  Cassidian CyberSecurity GmbH was established in Ottobrunn, broadening the portfolio into dedicated cybersecurity activity.

• 2010

  Cassidian brand launched

  [1]Airbus Defence and Spaceen.wikipedia.org

  EADS renamed its defence and security division Cassidian and organized it around military and security technologies.

• 2003

  EADS Defence & Security Systems created

  [1]Airbus Defence and Spaceen.wikipedia.org

  EADS combined missile systems, defence electronics, military aircraft and telecommunications activities in a new defence and security division.

• 2000

  EADS established

  [1]Airbus Defence and Spaceen.wikipedia.org

  The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company was formed through the consolidation of major French, German and Spanish aerospace interests.

A European defence, aerospace and security systems brand serving armed forces, governments and institutional customers through complex multinational programmes.

• Multirole combat aircraft

  Eurofighter Typhoon

  Cassidian participated in the European Eurofighter Typhoon programme through the EADS and later Airbus industrial organization. The twin-engine canard-delta aircraft was developed by a consortium involving Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo for air defence and multirole missions. Cassidian's heritage connected it with production, systems integration and support activities for one of Europe's principal combat-aircraft programmes.

• Military transport aircraft

  Airbus A400M Atlas

  The A400M is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed for tactical airlift and limited strategic transport. It can operate from relatively short or austere runways and may be configured for aerial refuelling or medical evacuation. The programme belonged to the broader EADS and Airbus military-aircraft heritage associated with Cassidian's successor organization.

• Aerial refuelling and transport aircraft

  Airbus A330 MRTT

  The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is based on the A330 commercial airliner and combines air-to-air refuelling with passenger, cargo and medical-evacuation functions. It serves military operators in several countries and represents the tanker and transport-aircraft capabilities that continued through Airbus after the Cassidian reorganization.

• Tactical military transport aircraft

  C-295

  The C-295 is a twin-turboprop tactical transport aircraft originating in the CASA and EADS military-aircraft businesses. It can support troop and cargo transport, surveillance and specialized mission configurations. The platform formed part of the military-aircraft portfolio inherited by Airbus Defence and Space.

• Transport and maritime-patrol aircraft

  CN-235

  The CN-235 is a twin-engine medium transport aircraft developed jointly by CASA and Indonesia's IPTN. In addition to airlift, versions have been used for maritime patrol and surveillance. Its inclusion in the EADS military-aircraft lineage illustrates the multinational production and marketing model surrounding Cassidian's wider portfolio.

• Light and medium transport aircraft

  C-212 Aviocar

  The C-212 Aviocar is a turboprop short-takeoff-and-landing transport aircraft originally developed by CASA for civil and military use. It supports utility, cargo, personnel and specialized missions and was also produced under licence in Indonesia. The aircraft was part of the CASA capability base absorbed into EADS and later Airbus.

• Unmanned aerial vehicles and demonstrators

  Cassidian unmanned aerial systems

  Cassidian worked on a range of unmanned systems and technology demonstrators, including Tracker, Barracuda, KZO, DVF 2000 VT, Harfang and the European HALE RPAS concept. Their intended roles included reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, electronic sensing and technology evaluation. Some were operational systems while others served as demonstrators for future military-aircraft capabilities.

• Cybersecurity and secure information systems · 2012

  Cassidian CyberSecurity

  Established in 2012, Cassidian CyberSecurity extended the brand into protection of governmental and institutional information systems. Its position reflected the convergence of defence, secure communications and cyber risk management. The business was subsequently part of Airbus's wider security and connected-intelligence activities.

• 2016

  Sell defence electronics businessM&A

  Background

  Airbus conducted a portfolio assessment after the creation of Airbus Defence and Space and identified some activities as outside its long-term strategic focus.

  Action taken

  Airbus decided to sell its defence electronics business in Ulm to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

  Aftermath

  The decision further separated some successor activities from the former Cassidian portfolio.

  Source

• 2013

  Combine Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus MilitaryStrategy

  Background

  EADS reviewed its structure and sought to bring related aerospace, military-aircraft, defence and space capabilities into a more integrated organization.

  Action taken

  The group announced the formation of Airbus Defence and Space from the Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military businesses.

  Aftermath

  Cassidian ceased to operate as a separate principal brand after the EADS-to-Airbus reorganization.

  Source

• 2010

  Create a dedicated Cassidian defence and security brandStrategy

  Background

  EADS wanted a distinct identity for its combined defence and security activities, which included military aircraft, missiles, electronics, communications and services.

  Action taken

  The group renamed EADS Defence & Security Systems Cassidian and reorganized the business into several capability areas.

  Aftermath

  Cassidian operated as EADS's defence and security brand until the subsequent Airbus restructuring.

  Source

1. 1Airbus Defence and Spaceen.wikipedia.org