With consolidated revenues of €34.2 billion for 2005, EADS is Europe’s premier aerospace and defence company and the second largest aerospace and defence company in the world. In terms of market share, EADS is among the top two manufacturers of commercial aircraft (surpassing Boeing in terms of both deliveries and orders since 2003), civil helicopters, commercial space launch vehicles and missiles, and a leading supplier of military aircraft, satellites and defence electronics. In 2005, it generated approximately 77% of its total revenues in the civil sector and 23% in the defence sector. As of 31st December 2005, EADS’ active headcount was 113,210.

EADS organises its businesses into the following five operating divisions:

• Airbus: Development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of commercial jet aircraft of more than 100 seats and the development and manufacturing of aircraft for military use;
• Military Transport Aircraft: Development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of military transport and special mission aircraft;
• Eurocopter: Development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of civil and military helicopters, and provision of maintenance services;
• Defence & Security Systems: Development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of missile systems; military combat aircraft and training aircraft; provision of defence electronics and defence-related telecommunications solutions; and logistics, training, testing, engineering and other related services; and
• Space: Development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of satellites, orbital infrastructures and launchers; and provision of space-based services.

In general, these manufacturing businesses are characterised by long-term product cycles. Another significant characteristic of many of these businesses is the extent of their dependence on governmental budgets.

In 2005, the former Aeronautics Division, which included the Eurocopter, ATR, EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke), Socata and Sogerma Services business units (“BUs”), was dissolved and a new Eurocopter Division was created. In the adapted segment reporting, EADS allocates the four legacy Aeronautics BUs to “Other Businesses”. Their activities comprise the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of regional turboprop aircraft, light commercial aircraft and aircraft components, as well as civil and military aircraft conversion and maintenance services.