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DASA SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES IN 1998

A preliminary balance for 1998 shows positive trends for the economic development of the DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Dasa, Munich). As the company reported at the end of January, results in all areas of business were markedly above those of the previous year. The turnover amounted to DM17.2billion, an increase of 12 per cent when compared with the results in 1997 (DM15billion). There were 39 per cent more contracts, which was an increase of DM19.4billion to DM27billion. Towards the end of the year five per cent more people were employed, new staff were taken on in all areas of business.

Dasa has not announced an overall profit. Final results will be made public together with the DaimlerChrysler annual balance. Insiders are expecting obviously higher profits than those of the previous year (DM432million).

Although the performance is looking good, the company does not want to rest on its laurels, but keep expectations high for 1999. Dasa-CEO Dr. Manfred Bischoff explains, "we intended to keep a clear head and be realistic. Important challenges for the next year are programs for better efficiency and quality. Furthermore we have to keep staffing in proportion. In real terms this means that Dasa will employ another additional 800 engineers. Last year more than 1600 new jobs in various business areas were created".

Detailed economic results for the individual business areas are as follows:

Commercial aircraft: Compared with 1997 there is an increase in turnover of 23 per cent or DM1.1 billion to DM5.8 billion. Airbus did especially well with a 12 per cent growth, which derives mainly from the success of the A320-Family, (standard fuselage/single aisles). The European Consortium Airbus Industry, in which Dasa (Munich) is involved with 37.9 per cent, was able to expand its market share to approx. 47 per cent with 556 new orders. As well as the biggest single order, (i.e. 188 aircraft for British Airways), 90 planes of this family were ordered by Latin American companies.

A decision on the construction of the wide body A3XX (480 to 650 seats) and the smallest Airbus A318 is expected for 1999.

In the business area "Helicopter" Dasa and Aérospatiale were able to assert their position as "the world's biggest helicopter manufacturer" via their German/French Eurocopter joint venture. 150 orders have been placed for the first jointly produced civilian helicopter EC 135 since it was introduced onto the market one and a half years ago, and this venture is seen as a great success. The light helicopter EC 120, the five ton helicopter EC 155 and the fighter helicopter Tiger have also gone into series production. Dasa's turnover share, which consolidated proportions, amounted to DM1.4billion, a growth rate of 17 per cent when compared with the previous year. However, six per cent fewer orders were placed in 1998, (i.e. from DM1.6 billion to DM1.5 billion).

With regard to military aircraft, series production of the Eurofighter played a central role in 1998. It is planned that between 2001 and 2005, 148 fighters and 363 EJ200 engines at a cost of approx. DM14 billion will be supplied. 44 fighters of this first batch are destined for the German Air Force. The turnover in this business area rose by 12 per cent from DM1.7 to DM1.9billion. The volume of orders increased by 165 per cent from DM2 to DM5.3billion.

After a successful qualifying flight of the carrier rocket Ariane 5 in October 1998, the business area Space Flight Infrastructure now supplies components for the factory produced upper stage. Apart from this the first commercial start of the small carrier rocket Rockot should take place during this year. This rocket is being marketed by Dasa's daughter company Eurockot, a joint venture with the Russian company Chrunitschev. In November the go-ahead was finally given for the construction of the International Space Station ISS. Dasa-RI in Bremen supplies components for the Space Laboratory Columbus and the automatic transport vehicle ATV. With the launching of the Russian service module in July 1999 a data management system for steering, navigation and data processing (developed by Dasa) should be conveyed into space. An important part of the ISS utilization-concept is the user centre BEOS, which is funded by industry and commerce. The first part of BEOS was completed in Bremen in 1998. The Space Flight Infrastructure made DM1.13billion, which is an increase in turnover of three per cent over 1997. The incoming orders raised from DM0.8 to DM1.0billion, a boost of 25 per cent.

Although the business area "satellites", which is combined in the Dornier Ltd (DSS, Friedrichshafen), showed a five per cent increase in orders, a 13 percent turnover decrease occured. According to company reports this branch of business was still able to maintain its position in Europe. Not least because of the advanced big projects "X-ray Satellite XMM" and Magnetosphere Mission Cluster II for the European Space Agency ESA. The hardware for both programs will be delivered in the second half of 1999.

In the area "Defence and Civilian Systems" there was a definite upward trend - despite of the difficult budget situation with the public client. Dasa managed to strengthen its market position as the "leading national company in defence technology" after the integration with Siemens Sicherungstechnik Ltd & Co. KG. This company realised the first multiple function radar with "Active Phased Array Antenna" after receiving the production contract for COBRA, the artillery surveillance radar.

The LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH signed a contract to develop the modular distance weapon MAW Taurus KEPD 350, which will be used by the German Air Force Tornados. The area "on board systems" is participating in the series production of the Eurofighter by supplying the ECR 90 Radar, the Avionics and self-protection system DASS. This business area achieved a total turnover of DM3.4 billion, an increase of 21 per cent when compared with figures from the previous year, (DM2.8 billion).

In the engines sector 1998 was "the most successful year in its history" for the MTU Motoren-und Turbinen-Union Munich GmbH, Dasa said. New business, a flourishing maintenance section and a boom in Airbus business is held responsible for the ten per cent increase in turnover to a total of DM3.2 billion and a boost in orders, which meant a rise of 87 per cent to DM5 billion.

Dasa's future seems secure. Dasa CEO Bischoff sums up the company's prospects for the current financial year, "You can expect a consolidation of our successful course in 1999."

From page 28 of FLUG REVUE 4/99