EADS' C-295 Military Airlifter Will Be Demonstrated at Alabama Army Facilities During Month-Long...

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2004

EADS North America

-- The twin-engine aircraft is being proposed for increasingly

important deployment missions performed by the Army and

National Guard; Dedicated website (www.c295-tour.com)

day-by-day tour updates

The EADS North America "All American C-295 Tour" is coming to two U.S. Army facilities in Alabama this week as part of a 32-day tour to demonstrate the medium-sized military airlifter's capabilities for U.S. Army and National Guard missions.

The visit will include briefings and demonstration flights by EADS CASA North America at the Army Aviation Center, Ft. Rucker May 20, and at the Redstone Arsenal's Army Aviation and Missile Command on May 21.

The C-295's extensive "All American tour" - which began May 17 - is going from coast-to-coast for briefings and familiarization flights in ten states: Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Idaho, California, Oregon, Alaska, South Dakota and Vermont. It is organized by Washington, D.C.-based EADS North America and by EADS CASA North America - which represents the EADS Military Transport Aircraft Division that designs, manufactures and commercializes the company's family of light and medium transport aircraft.

Prior to its arrival in Alabama, the C-295 stopped in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the elite U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team made four evaluation jumps from the aircraft at altitudes up to 13,500 ft.

Ralph Crosby, EADS North America's Chairman and CEO, said the C-295 "All America tour" comes at a time when intra-theater lift capability is increasingly important for the U.S. in its deployment and support of forces at home and abroad. "The lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan, combined with homeland security needs within North America, have underscored the necessity for a capable, and efficient, medium-sized airlifter," Crosby explained. "The C-295 is perfectly tailored for these missions. As an in-production, in-service aircraft, it offers a no-risk solution to the U.S. military's mission requirements."

The multi-mission C-295 is the largest member of EADS' family of light/medium military transport aircraft. It offers the best value for users - with acquisition and direct operating costs that are lower than any other aircraft in its category. The C-295 retains the proven mission and handling characteristics of the smaller EADS CN-235, which has been sold to more than 20 countries worldwide, including the U.S. for the Coast Guard's Deepwater Program's maritime patrol mission.

Updates during the C-295's North American tour are being posted daily on a special Website: http://www.c295-tour.com. This Website includes details on the EADS military airlifter family, interviews, photos and video clips.

About EADS North America

With headquarters in Washington, D.C., EADS North America is the holding company for the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $6 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 100,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. With ten operating units and investments in 38 cities and the District of Columbia, EADS offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of EUR 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 109,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the world's largest helicopter supplier, Eurocopter.