DASA
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Fate | Merged |
| Predecessor | Daimler-Benz, MTU München, Dornier Flugzeugwerke, MBB |
| Successor | EADS |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
| Parent | Daimler-Benz (later DaimlerChrysler |
DASA (officially Deutsche Aerospace AG, later Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG, then DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG), was the former aerospace subsidiary of Daimler-Benz AG (later DaimlerChrysler) from 1989. In July 2000, DASA merged with Aérospatiale-Matra and CASA to form EADS.
History
DASA (from Deutsche Aerospace Aktiengesellschaft) was founded on 19 May 1989 by the merger of Daimler-Benz's aerospace interests, MTU München, and Dornier Flugzeugwerke.[1] In December 1989, Daimler-Benz acquired Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) and merged it into DASA.
In March 1990, Daimler-Benz initiated a major restructuring of the new group, integrating the previously separate companies into five product groups; Aircraft, Space Systems, Defense and Civil Systems/Propulsion. Several companies continued to exist under their own names but by 1992 most (including MBB and TST) were fully integrated. In 1992, the helicopter division was joined to Aérospatiale's helicopter division to form Eurocopter.
On January 1, 1995, the company changed its name to Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG. With the 1998 merger of Daimler Benz and Chrysler Corporation, the company was renamed DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG on November 7, 1998.
Transition to EADS
Defence consolidation became a major issue in 1998, with numerous reports linking various European defence groups — mainly with each other, but also with American defence contractors.
On July 10, 2000 DASA (minus MTU) merged with Aérospatiale-Matra of France and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) of Spain to form the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). The former DaimlerChrysler Aerospace now operates as EADS Germany.
Projects
In 1993 MiG Aircraft Support GmbH was established with DaimlerChrysler Aerospace holding a 50% stake. The company undertook the upgrade of the 24 MiG-29s to NATO standards. The aircraft were inherited from the former East Germany after the reunification of the country.
As part of the Eurofighter consortium DaimlerChrysler Aerospace manufactured the centre fuselage sections of all the development aircraft, (DA) beginning with DA1 which made its first flight from DaimlerChrysler Aerospace's Manching facility in March 1994. DaimlerChrysler Aerospace was responsible for the mid life upgrade (MLU) of the German fleet of Panavia Tornados, similar to the RAF's GR4 upgrade.
Owing to its expertise with German and NATO aircraft DaimlerChrysler Aerospace became an expert in upgrade of many allied aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom II and the E-3 Sentry.
References
- ↑ Gunston, 120
- Gunston, Bill (2005). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers, 2nd Edition. Phoenix Mill, Gloucestershire, England, UK: Sutton Publishing Limited. p. 164. ISBN 0-7509-3981-8.