The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus announced today the participation of three more leading Japanese companies in the A380 programme. Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Casio Computers Co. Ltd., and Makino Milling Machines Co. Ltd. have agreed to supply equipment for the next-generation super jumbo programme.

Airbus President and CEO Noel Forgeard said, "It is an important step in our collaboration with Japan. We are moving from the obvious work in aero-structures level to a strong contribution in state-of-the-art technology. The support of Yokogawa, Casio, and Makino to the A380 programme will surely enhance the success of the most advanced airliner programme currently under development and launched in production."

In addition to the ten Japanese suppliers which were already announced in 2002, these contracts will raise the estimated revenue of Japan in the A380 programme to well over US $2.15 billion in the years to come.

The contribution of new suppliers is as follows:

Yokogawa Electric Corporation is to supply the display modules for the A380 cockpit system. Production will be completed at Yokogawa’s main plant in Musashino (Mitaka, Tokyo) and the first article is to be delivered in June 2003. Yokogawa already supplies display units for the A340-600.

Casio Computers Co. Ltd. is the supplier of the 6"x8" TFT liquid crystal panels to Yokogawa Electric. Manufacturing and assembly of the displays will be at Casio’s plant in Kochi (Shikoku island), with delivery in May 2003. Casio is also working on the A340-600 program.

Makino Milling Machines Co. Ltd. is the supplier of High Performance Machining Centers to be used in the production of precision parts for the A380 wing. The centers are produced at Makino’s Atsugi plant (Kanagawa Prefecture) and the first machines have been already installed at Airbus plant in Filton (United Kingdom). This is the first contract of Makino with Airbus within the framework of the Key Supplier Agreement signed in 2002.

To date, ten customers have announced firm orders and commitments for a total of 103 A380s. The 555-seater A380 will enter into service in early 2006.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.

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