Daimler-Benz Aerospace

Defense and Civil Systems

9,970 Employees
DM 3.066 bn. Turnover

The Defense and Civil Systems Group (turnover DM 3.066 billion, 9,970 employees in 1994) is also headed by Werner Heinzmann. The group is divided into LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH and the divisions Information and Communication Systems and Sensor Systems, as well as two profit centers in the fields of Waste Disposal and Logistics. Defense systems, instrumental to security and peace, remain a core business of Daimler-Benz Aerospace, even though security policy has changed. The group utilizes the expertise gained in defense technology to develop and expand new technological areas for civil products and systems. In addition, the business group has been restructured and adjusted to the altered prevailing conditions the German defense industry has to face.

LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH (LFK GmbH) is a partner in international cooperation programs who mainly develops and manufactures guided missiles for antitank, air defense and anti-aircraft applications, antiship missiles and stand-off systems for aircraft weaponry. The guided missile systems comprise weapon systems, missiles and accessories. LFK GmbH also manufactures subsystems and components for control systems.

In order to retain its core capabilities in the field of modern defense techology in the future, Dasa is working towards total cooperation with the French company Aerospatiale in the guided missile sector. The partners intend to establish a joint venture in 1996 to consolidate the activities of the two companies in the field of guided missiles.

The Information and Communication Systems Division mainly develops and manufactures reconnaissance, surveillance, information and command systems, mobile ground systems, simulation and training systems, image processing systems, airport and guiding systems. It also provides planning assistance and supplies safety systems and civil systems for environmental protection applications.

Nortel Dasa is a joint venture of Daimler-Benz Aerospace and Northern Telecom (Nortel) in which both companies are equal partners. Nortel Dasa offers efficient systems, applications and solutions in the telecommunications field. The product palette of Nortel Dasa comprises ready-to-operate networks for net operators, the features of which are tailored to meet the requirements of individual operators and based on already existing communication systems. Private customers and institutions are offered tailor-made solutions by Nortel Dasa which meet all kinds of communication problems - ranging from modern telecommunication systems to complex corporate networks which meet the multi-media demands of the future, i.e. the integration of language, data and video. In addition, Nortel Dasa offers a broad spectrum of products and applications in the satellite communication sector which can be used by television transmitters or traffic guidance systems. Through its parent companies, Nortel Dasa has access to the worldwide expertise and production palette of Nortel and the extensive network management and system integration expertise of Dasa.

The Sensor Systems Division is responsible for the development, production and integration of communication and radar systems as well as for electronic command and control systems (EloKa) Strategic radio reconnaissance, tactical radio application and electronic radio command and control systems are also part of the division's business. The product spectrum in the radar application sector comprises stationary and mobile radar equipment, airborne radar systems for military aircraft application, radar systems for air and sea surveillance tasks, microwave reconnaissance and electronic radar command and control systems. Radar target seekers, guided missiles, drones and projectiles, high-acceleration resistant firing sensors for artillery application as well as remote control data links and electronic components for firing systems make the production palette complete.

Apart from the present civil activities in the civil radio monitoring, HF data and mm wave radio application and air and sea route monitoring systems sectors, the division is also working on new applications in the sensor systems and data communications fields including contactless logistic systems for airport application (baggage identification and passenger handling), in the transport and traffic logistics field (vehicle communication systems as well as control and clearing systems) and systems for warehouse logistics and production control.

Satellite-based avionics is another civil sphere of activity. In future, satellite-based navigation and landing systems will guide all types of aircraft in any phase of the flight thus setting new standards with respect to economic efficiency, flexibility, safety, reliability and environmental protection. For the purpose of strengthening market activities in the field of avionics, joint-ventures with equal shares for their partners have been founded together with the American company Rockwell/Collins and Aviapribor of Russia.

The product spectrum for civil applications is rounded off by the vehicle separation radar system for intelligent automatic speed control systems, radar sensors for driverless transport systems as well as voice recognition and voice-operated systems.

The profit center Disposal is concentrating upon the professional disposal of ammunition and electronic debris. The Logistics profit center, being set up at present, will focus on logistic and technical services.

To the other Dasa business areas:

Aircraft

Space Systems

Propulsion Systems