EADS technology supports Eurofighter self-protection
Ulm, 12 October 2001
EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company will equip the European combat aircraft Eurofighter with the state-of-the-art electronic self-protection system "EuroDASS" (DASS = Defensive Aids Subsystem). Following the positive decision by the German Parliament, the Federal Ministry of Defence via the Eurofighter Consortium awarded a contract for the equipment of the Eurofighter aircraft in several lots with EuroDASS to the EADS Systems & Defence Electronics Business Unit. The volume for 2001 is EUR 60m., EADS' part of the complete 15-year-program is EUR 700m. As the company announced on Friday, the order will be carried out by an international consortium consisting of BAE Systems (U.K.), Elettronica (Italy), INDRA (Spain) and EADS.
Dr. Stefan Zoller, President of EADS Systems & Defence Electronics: "Following this contract, it is possible to safeguard highly qualified jobs in our Airborne Systems unit, and especially our know-how in the sensible high-technology sector of Electronic Warfare (EW)".
EADS Systems & Defence Electronics with a workforce of about 5,700 employees in Germany and France is one of the most important suppliers of defence electronic systems in Europe. Its Airborne Systems unit participates in the production of the Eurofighter radar and important self-protection and avionics systems of the helicopters "Tiger" and NH90. Johann Heitzmann, Head of EADS Airborne Systems: "During the exertion of this order the EuroDASS will be adapted to the continuously changing threats and thus be kept on the latest level of technology by parallel development."
An effective electronic self-protection system is a major component of the Eurofighter aircraft, without which the combat plane cannot be operationally used in modern threat scenarios. The self-protection system mainly consists of an integrated radar warning receiver and jamming transmitter, as well as active missile warning equipment. It warns the pilot against the threat by radar systems or approaching missiles, decepts hostile radar systems by adequate radar jamming signals initiates suitable counter-measures, thus decisively enhancing the survival probability of the pilot and the aircraft.
With revenues amounting to EUR 24.2 billion (2000) and 100,000 employees EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company is the largest aerospace and defence company in Europe and number two worldwide.
Ulm, 12 October 2001
Press contact:
EADS Systems & Defence Electronics
Lothar Belz
Phone: +49 (0) 731 392 3681
Email: lothar.belz@sysde.eads.net
