Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands B.V.

Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands B.V. is a supplier of high-tech products and services for the international aerospace industry. Since its founding in 1968, the company has build-up broad expertise in space technology by contributing to noteworthy missions. The portfolio of Airbus DS NL includes solar arrays, launcher structures, instruments & systems and thermal mechanical products. The Leiden-based company employs more than 250 specialised professionals.
Being the largest supplier of solar arrays in Europe, Airbus DS NL has powered scientific, earth observation, military, as well as telecommunications satellites. The company also designs and manufactures vital lightweight structures for the successful Ariane and Vega launcher programs. In the field of robotics, test & verification and simulation, it has built up substantial know-how.

Airbus DS NL builds satellite instruments of world repute. The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (Tropomi) was developed as next in line in a series of world leading earth observing instruments. Tropomi was launched on October 13, 2017 on the Sentinel 5 Precursor satellite.
Airbus DS NL has developed activities in the defence, security and civil markets as spin-offs from aerospace, of which simulation and simulators form an important part. For instance, real-time simulator Eurosim, developed as part of a national program, has a wide global space and non-space customer base. Further operations include distributed simulation for engineering and training purposes.

In close co-operation with NLR, Airbus DS NL has developed an embedded training system for fighter aircraft (ECATS), which has been demonstrated on the F-16. In co-operation with Lockheed Martin, ECATS will become available on the F-35 in 2018. Broadening the ECATS customer base is expected.

In response to the national demand for data services, Airbus DS NL works closely together with Airbus Communications, Intelligence and Security (CIS) in the area of ISR related earth observation data and data (fusion) tools. The company aims at developing data services both in the field defence and security, as well as climate and air quality information.

Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands is part of Airbus, the global leader in aeronautics, space and C5ISR related products and services.