European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) is Europe's premier aerospace and defence company and No. 2 worldwide. In 2005 EADS revenues amounted to 39,1 b EUR. EADS employs more than 116,000 people at over 70 sites mainly in Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain.

EADS Innovation Works (EADS IW), with sites in Germany, France, Great Britain, Spanin, Singapore and Russia provides world-class researchcapabilities which correspond to cross-Business-Units Interests. The research activities of EADS IW Germany are: Electronics, Microsystem and Sensors, Optronics, Lasers and Image Processing, Materials, Structures and Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, Mechatronics an Adaptronics, Structural Dynamics and Acoustics, Passenger Comfort and Crew Assistance.