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EADS awarded to perform Link 16 analysis and interoperability tests for tactical platforms in Spain

Madrid, 11 January 2007

EADS Defence & Security Systems Division (DS) and the National Acquisition Division of the Spanish Ministry of Defence have signed a contract worth more than eight million Euros to accomplish technical support to the Spanish Interoperability Management Cell. Link 16, NATO's secure, real-time data link is one of the most vital prerequisites for network-enabled operations and thus a key for successful transformation of all armed forces.

The technical support to be given by EADS under the contract will safeguard the interoperability among all the Spanish Armed Forces’ s platforms that implement the Link 16 communication system. In particular, EADS CASA Military Air Systems (MAS), a business unit of DS, will define and analyse the requirements of all current and future platforms. The fighter aircraft Eurofighter and the EF-18 Hornet, the Operational Ground Support Equipment for the verification of electronic warfare elements (OGSE-OVU), the future transport aircraft A400M, and naval vessels such as the Frigate F-100 and the landing craft's LPD command and control system ARS are just some examples of platforms to be integrated.

The objective of the two-year contract with the potential for extension is to perform the necessary tests to precisely demonstrate the integration among various different platforms through the connection of ground test rigs or through real exercises. For the latter case EADS CASA Military Air Systems will also provide three mobile ground control stations. The comprehensive analysis and test tasks will be conducted by experts from the MAS facilities in Getafe and at Torrejon Air Force Base.

Pablo de Bergia, President of EADS CASA Military Air Systems, commented: “Thanks to this contract Spain has reached the highest Link 16 operational capacity. Such a level was previously only achieved by the United States and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile our data link team has elaborated the highest degree of expertise in this field and puts forward continuous efforts to maintain and even further develop the technological advances of our company not only in Spain but in Europe”.

Data link development is considered as a strategic business by EADS Military Air Systems. “We are moving from the current situation where a platform was seen and operated as an isolated unit to a reality where the weapon systems cooperate in an integrated network. Within this new scenario the communication systems are a core element because they enable multiple users to exchange and share the same information. EADS CASA Military Air Systems clearly contributes to make this happen”, Pablo de Bergia said.

Military Air Systems (MAS) as an integrated part of the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division (DS) is the centre of competence for all manned and unmanned flying weapon systems within EADS. EADS Defence & Security Systems (DS) is a system solutions provider. It combines military air systems, missile systems, communications and intelligence systems, global security solutions as well as sensor and avionics systems into a single effective network. With 2005 revenues of € 5.6 billion, the Division employs 23,000.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of € 34.2 billion and employed a workforce of about 113,000

Contacts:

Serena di Martino
Madrid
Spain
Tel.: +34 (0)91 6243193
serena.dimartino@eads.com

Wolfram Wolff
Munich
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 60725711
wolfram.wolff@eads.com