AIRBUS - 2020 Universal Registration Document
1. Information on the Company’s Activities / 1.1 Presentation of the Company
Other Disputes In the course of a commercial dispute, the Company received a statement of claim by the Republic of China (Taiwan) alleging liability for refunding part of the purchase price of a large contract for the supply of missiles by subsidiary Matra Défense S.A.S., which the customer claims it was not obliged to pay. An arbitral award was rendered on 12 January 2018 with a principal amount of €104 million plus interest and costs against Matra Défense S.A.S. Post-award proceedings are currently underway.
In 2019, the Company self-reported to German authorities potentially improper advance receipt and communication of confidential customer information by employees of Airbus Defence and Space GmbH. The information concerned relates to two future German government procurement projects in the programme line Connected Intelligence. The self-disclosure by the Company follows an ongoing internal review with the support of an external law firm. Both the German Ministry of Defence and the Munich public prosecutor opened an investigation into the matter. The Company will continue to fully cooperate with relevant authorities. The investigation could have an impact on Airbus Defence and Space GmbH’s and Airbus Secure Land Communications GmbH’s ability to participate in future public procurement projects in Germany and may have other legal consequences. The Airbus Technology Department, led by the Chief Technology Of ficer ( “CTO” ), is responsible for defining, delivering and protecting all the Company’s Research and Technology (“ R&T ”), enabling technology synergies across the group, federating innovation the Company’s activities and ensuring expertise in breakthrough technologies. The department applies a lean project-based approach, tracked and managed using earned value management processes. Technological collaboration with external research communities and partners is encouraged and coordinated through the department with technical and scientific experts. These duties are delivered through the capabilities outlined here below. The Company-wide integration of R&T technology is achieved through cross-portfolio Technology Planning and Roadmapping, giving an exhaustive view of technology targets and investments. In addition, Company-wide engagement with institutional and commercial partners and public agencies is achieved through common R&T Co-operations. Central R&T (“ CRT ”) is the cross-divisional R&T organisation that prepares the Company’s long-term technological capabilities. CRT leads specific investigations in emerging areas of research and conducts ambitious research projects while leveraging leading academic, scientific and research institutions to best utilise their expertise for achieving the Company’s ambitions. Development of selected breakthrough technologies are accelerated through Airbus Demonstrators, by employing rapid maturation methods. This function delivers, thanks to its fully owned Airbus UpNext subsidiary, ight demonstrator projects that drive collaborative new ways of working, provide the highest level of transparency and challenge the status quo by embedding Airbus Technology DNA in a highly dynamic environment. Each Division has its own R&T function, defining and delivering the divisional projects. The Divisional R&T functions are primarily planning, decision making and arbitration teams, which are accountable within their perimeters to both Technology, Divisional Engineering and Product Strategy. Their responsibilities include securing continuous improvement in Divisional competitiveness and the ability to develop business. Within the Company, commercial specific priority is given to technologies for next- generation aircraft, bringing together product, production system and services. 1.1.8 Research and Technology
In order to maximise the Company’s R&T activities, the Divisions leverage the external ecosystem, utilising the portfolio of projects for funding opportunities and engagement with global partnerships, research institutes and universities. This ensures efficient R&T portfolio execution, and benefits from new ways of working including but not limited to agile methodology and minimum viable product demonstration strategy. Responsibilities include securing continuous improvement in Divisional competitiveness and the ability to develop business by establishing and driving the Company’s R&T ambitions. Fast-Track roadmap owners serve as principal advisors to the CTO on technical vision and roadmaps for associated Technology areas. Fast-Track roadmaps ensure coherency in the portfolio of activities and for the rapid advance of strategic priorities. Today the Fast-Track roadmaps cover: – – Electrification; – – Industrial Systems and Manufacturing; – – Connectivity; – – Autonomy; – – Materials; – – Artificial Intelligence. The Company’s IP is protected, secured and defended through a central IP function responsible for patent applications, portfolio investigations and portfolio defence. Technological innovation and outreach to expertise in specific regions is delivered through three units: Acubed in Silicon Valley, Airbus Innovation Centre in China and start-up engagement and development through BizLab.
Key progress in 2020 Airbus Demonstrators – Airbus UpNext
Airbus UpNext identifies and evaluates the disruptive trends of the aerospace industry and demonstrates their potential for viable products. It uses ying demonstrators to evaluate, mature and validate new technological breakthroughs for the R&T portfolio. It invents and accelerates aerospace research and prototype developments to achieve proof-of-concepts at scale and speed.
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Airbus / Registration Document 2020
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