Airbus - 2022 Universal Registration Document

1. Information on the Company’s Activities /

1.3 Other Corporate Activities

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Key Progress in 2022 Central Research and Technology (“CRT”) CRT pioneers the future of aerospace by exploring and delivering ambitious new technologies of maximum potential impact on Airbus’ future products and services. CRT operates at the junction of the Airbus core and global research excellence with two main objectives: –be a technical trailblazer: explore and deliver relevant new technologies, as well as de-risk and create new opportunities; –prepare the skills of the Airbus of tomorrow: build internal capabilities in strategic emerging technologies and provide the relevant expertise to internal customers for technical support and decision-making. In 2022, CRT had more than 30 projects running concurrently across its domains. Highlights from these activities include the following. Materials technology: 2022 has seen significant advancements in the fields of materials sustainability and circularity, materials informatics, functional and high-performance materials towards overall sustainability targets, product mission performance and competitiveness. The perimeter continues to range from organic to inorganic materials, including ceramics and respective surface technologies. – In the area of sustainability and circularity the first bio-based carbon fibres have been tested at high performance – matching aerospace requirements. Enzymatic technologies for recycling of polymers have been further analysed and show further opportunities, including catalyst development for full bio-based-resin formulations. Titanium chips to powder for additive manufacturing technologies have shown promising results, opening new opportunities for future circular process chain thinking. –Digitalisation of materials (from materials definition, to characterisation and analytics) is seeing a further increase in opportunities. For example, AI in polymer formulations is being investigated, in order to identify opportunities e.g. for the faster replacement of substances. – In the area of functional and high-performance materials, high robustness of printed electronics (wires, antennas, sensors) was demonstrated, enabling application opportunities which were not possible before. Electrification technology: During 2022, the team has made significant progress on several aspects of electrification and electric propulsion techno bricks. For example, demonstrating active filtering of electromagnetic interference of power modules. This technology, when applied to dedicated functions, could result in a significant weight reduction when compared to classical passive filtering. Artificial intelligence: In the scope of trustworthy AI, the most impactful outcome was providing formal proofs of neural networks’ robustness supporting the certification of systems, embedding machine learning components with several successful applications on existing neural networks. Research will continue on AI in complex environments, such as AI in the cockpit, with robust and explainable decision making. Virtual product engineering: The team has investigated advanced model based systems engineering technology bricks to support co-development of product and industrial systems, and has successfully demonstrated approaches to

–Demonstrators (UpNext): development of selected breakthrough technologies is accelerated through Airbus demonstrators, by employing rapid maturation methods. This function delivers, thanks to its fully owned Airbus UpNext subsidiary, flight and ground 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. – X-Labs: providing test and rapid prototyping facilities for the full R&T portfolio and the Engineering Centres, especially addressing capabilities that do not exist within the company or external ecosystem, e.g. electrification. X-Labs also provides external access to these facilities. – Acubed: technological innovation and outreach to expertise in specific regions is delivered through Acubed in Silicon Valley. – Airbus Innovation Centre in China: accelerate the delivery of innovation projects building on the local ecosystem. –Airbus InnovationX: bringing together corporate innovation, start-up engagement and company building activities. Each Division has its own R&T function, defining and delivering the divisional projects. The divisional R&T functions are primarily planning and technical arbitration teams within their perimeters and accountable 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, specific priority is given to technologies for sustainable next-generation aircraft, bringing together product, production system and services. 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 across the Divisions. Current fast-track roadmaps cover:

– electrification; – connectivity;

– autonomy; – materials; – artificial intelligence.

The Company’s IP is protected, secured and defended through a central Intellectual Property function responsible for patent applications, portfolio investigations and portfolio defence.

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Airbus / Universal Registration Document 2022