Airbus Group, Inc.

Airbus Group, Inc.

Industry	Aerospace, Defense
Founded	2003
Headquarters	McNair, Virginia (Herndon mailing address)
Area served	Worldwide
Revenue	$1.3 billion (2011)
Number of employees	approx. 2000 (end 2011)
Subsidiaries	Airbus Helicopters, Inc. Airbus Military North America Cassidian Communications EADS North America Test and Services Fairchild Controls Corporation
Website	northamerica.airbus-group.com

Airbus Group, Inc. (formerly EADS North America) represents the North American activities of Airbus Group, the world’s second largest aerospace and defense company, and the largest in Europe. Headquartered in McNair, Virginia, this American arm of the company participates in U.S. Department of Defense programs, in some cases as a prime contractor. It employs approximately 2,000 people and had 2011 revenues of $1.3 billion. Sean O'Keefe, the former chancellor of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the chairman and CEO. Paul Pastorek, former Louisiana state superintendent of education, is chief counsel and corporate secretary.

In the United States, Airbus Group, Inc., oversees several subsidiaries including Airbus Helicopters, Inc., Cassidian Communications, Airbus Military North America, Fairchild Controls, and EADS North America Test and Services. With locations in 29 U.S. cities and 15 states, these entities provide fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft for commercial and military customers, land and maritime detection and border security technology, emergency call processing and notification solutions, defense electronics and avionics, and services.

Since its creation in 2003, Airbus Group Inc. has expanded its footprint through acquisitions and selection in competitions for military aircraft and systems.

In 1974 Aérospatiale took full control of Vought Helicopter and in 1976 renamed it Aerospatiale Helicopter Corporation. In 1979 work began on a new helicopter facility in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Plans for a Mobile, Alabama aircraft assembly plant were formally announced by Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier on 2 July 2012. The plans include a $600 million factory at the Brookley Aeroplex for the assembly of the A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. It could employ up to 1,000 full-time workers when operational. Construction began on 8 April 2013, and will become operable by 2016, producing up to 4 aircraft a month at full production.