EUROCOPTER is a Franco-German company, owned by EADS, specialising in the development, manufacturing and sale of helicopters, for civil and military applications (56% civil and para-public, 44% military).

Eurocopter is one of the largest helicopter manufacturers in the world and is competing with the major North American manufacturers (Sikorsky, Bell, ...). ECD is the German subsidiary of Eurocopter.

Eurocopter Deutschland employs 4000 people of which 90 work in R&D activities.

The yearly research effort is about 6700 kEUR. The major research goals to be developed in the mediumlong term to improve its new/current products are the following:

· Reduction of costs.
· Performance improvement.
· Safety/Reliability.
· Passenger comfort.
· Noise reduction.
· All weather capability.

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (former MBB-Helicopter Division) has been developing, designing and manufacturing helicopters for more than 40 years. ECD has extensive experience in all helicopter related systems (including MMI design and systems integration).