EADS Delivers Advanced Defense Electronics to The US Armed Forces - Further Success in US Market.

Business Editors

ULM, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2004

US-based ViaSat, Inc. has awarded a EUR 20 million contract to EADS Defense Electronics (DE) for supplying core electronics enhancing the US armed forces' network-enabled capabilities. As reported by EADS on Monday, the contract covers the delivery of 400 power amplifiers, the core component of the U.S. Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS).

MIDS equipment is being integrated in many US fighter jets, vehicles and naval ships and provides the capabilities for setting up a data communications network and thus allows networked operations to be carried out. MIDS enables the establishment of a comprehensive situation picture in near real time and improves the cooperation of multinational forces. EADS Defense Electronics was chosen as supplier in the face of strong competition from the US based on the precision and reliability of equipment previously supplied.

"The build-up of the MIDS data link system within NATO," said Johann Heitzmann, President and CEO of EADS Defense Electronics, "is a key prerequisite of net centric operations. With its longstanding experience in high frequency technology, EADS Defense Electronics will play a leading role in this aspect of transformation."

MIDS is also being introduced in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. In a first step, MIDS will equip the Eurofighter and Rafale combat aircraft. In the long term, MIDS terminals are planned for helicopters, ships and command posts in all partner countries. EADS Defense Electronics is a member of the international EuroMIDS consortium.

EADS Defense Electronics is a business unit of the Defense and Security Systems division. As the sensor and avionics house of EADS it develops and manufactures radar equipment as well as mission systems and electronic warfare systems for aircraft, helicopters, armoured vehicles and ships. Its ability to support network-centric operations is based on extensive experience in signal processing, data communication and high-frequency technology.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. The EADS Group includes Airbus and Eurocopter, is prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M and is the largest industrial partner for Galileo. EADS Defense and Security Systems, with revenues of over EUR 5 billion in 2003 and roughly 24,000 employees across nine nations, forms the defense pole within EADS. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, missiles, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), defense electronics, sensors and avionics, command, control and communications systems, and services. In order to optimise the decision-making chain from sensor to effecter within a "System of Systems", EADS brings together state-of-the-art information and network technologies and the extensive competence of an experienced supplier of complex defense systems.