Aerospatiale

Aerospatiale
Aérospatiale · Public domain · source
Name	Aerospatiale
Fate	Merged with Matra to form Aérospatiale-Matra
Successor	EADS
Founded	1970
Defunct	1999
Location	Paris, France

Aerospatiale was a French aerospace corporation that played a significant role in the development of European Space Agency projects, such as the Ariane rocket and the Hermes spaceplane. The company was formed in 1970 through the merger of Société d'Etudes et de Réalisation d'Engins Balistiques (SEREB) and Société pour l'Etude et la Réalisation de Missiles Balistiques (SEREBM), with the support of the French government and Dassault Aviation. Aerospatiale collaborated with other major companies, including British Aerospace, Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, and Alenia Aeronautica, on various projects, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Tornado IDS. The company's work also involved partnerships with NASA, European Space Agency, and the Russian Federal Space Agency.

● History

Aerospatiale's history began with the formation of its predecessor, Société d'Etudes et de Réalisation d'Engins Balistiques (SEREB), in the 1950s, which was involved in the development of the Diamant rocket, a project supported by the French Ministry of Defence and Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). The company's early years were marked by collaborations with other European companies, including Fokker, Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, and Sud Aviation, on projects such as the Concorde and the Transall C-160. Aerospatiale's work on the Ariane rocket program, which was launched in the 1970s, involved partnerships with European Space Agency, CNES, and Dornier Flugzeugwerke. The company's history is also closely tied to the development of the Hermes spaceplane, a project that involved collaborations with European Space Agency, CNES, and Dassault Aviation.

● Products

Aerospatiale's product line included a range of helicopters, such as the Gazelle, Puma, and Dauphin, which were used by the French Army, Royal Air Force, and United States Army. The company also developed the Lama and Alouette III helicopters, which were used by the Indian Air Force and South African Air Force. In addition to its helicopter products, Aerospatiale was involved in the development of the Exocet missile, a project that involved collaborations with MBDA, Thales Group, and DCNS. The company's work on the Ariane rocket program also involved the development of various satellite systems, including the Intelsat and Inmarsat systems, which were used by NASA, European Space Agency, and Russian Federal Space Agency.

● Mergers and Acquisitions

In 1999, Aerospatiale merged with Matra to form Aérospatiale-Matra, a company that was later renamed EADS in 2000. This merger involved the integration of Aerospatiale's operations with those of Matra, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, and CASA. The resulting company, EADS, was a major player in the global aerospace industry, with partnerships with companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The merger also involved the integration of Aerospatiale's subsidiaries, including Société d'Etudes et de Réalisation d'Engins Balistiques (SEREB) and Société pour l'Etude et la Réalisation de Missiles Balistiques (SEREBM), into the new company.

● Subsidiaries and Divisions

Aerospatiale had several subsidiaries and divisions, including Société d'Etudes et de Réalisation d'Engins Balistiques (SEREB) and Société pour l'Etude et la Réalisation de Missiles Balistiques (SEREBM), which were involved in the development of the Diamant rocket and the Exocet missile. The company's helicopter division, Aerospatiale Helicopters, was responsible for the development of the Gazelle, Puma, and Dauphin helicopters, which were used by the French Army, Royal Air Force, and United States Army. Aerospatiale's space division, Aerospatiale Space, was involved in the development of the Ariane rocket and the Hermes spaceplane, with partnerships with European Space Agency, CNES, and Dassault Aviation.

● Notable Projects

Aerospatiale was involved in several notable projects, including the development of the Concorde, a supersonic jet that was used by Air France and British Airways. The company's work on the Ariane rocket program involved the launch of several satellites, including the Intelsat and Inmarsat systems, which were used by NASA, European Space Agency, and Russian Federal Space Agency. Aerospatiale's collaboration with Dassault Aviation on the Rafale fighter jet project involved the development of advanced avionics and radar systems, which were used by the French Air Force and Indian Air Force. The company's work on the Hermes spaceplane project, which was cancelled in the 1990s, involved partnerships with European Space Agency, CNES, and Dassault Aviation.