Aerospatiale was a major French aerospace company that played a significant role in the development of both military and civilian aviation, as well as space exploration. Here's a detailed overview:
History
- Aerospatiale was formed in 1970 through the merger of several French aviation and space companies. The key companies involved were:
- The aim was to consolidate French aerospace capabilities to compete more effectively on the international stage.
- In 1992, Aerospatiale was partly privatized but remained under significant government control.
Key Projects and Contributions
- Military Aircraft: Aerospatiale developed several military aircraft, including:
- Civilian Aviation:
- Participation in the development of the Airbus A300 and later models through its stake in Airbus.
- Space:
- Lead role in the European Ariane rocket program, including the Ariane 1 and subsequent versions.
- Development of the Hermes Spaceplane, although this project was later cancelled.
- Helicopters:
Merger and Legacy
External Links
See Also