AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SA

Their core work

Airbus Defence and Space SA (Spain) is the Madrid-based arm of the Airbus group, focused on military and space systems alongside civil aviation R&D. Within H2020, they contribute heavily to Clean Sky 2 technology demonstrators — developing airframe structures, aircraft systems, and regional aircraft improvements. They also work on space-grade composite materials, satellite launcher components, and aviation safety research. Their role is that of a large-scale industrial integrator, bringing manufacturing capability and flight-testing infrastructure to European aerospace consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), Airbus Defence and Space SA focused heavily on aviation safety research — fire safety, human factors, risk management — alongside first-generation Clean Sky 2 airframe and systems demonstrators. From 2019 onward, the emphasis shifted toward eco-design, energy efficiency, advanced composites for space, and large-scale technology demonstrations integrating innovative propulsion. The trend shows a clear move from safety-oriented research toward green aviation performance and materials technology.

They are pivoting toward environmentally sustainable aviation technologies and European supply-chain sovereignty in space-grade composites — expect future interest in hydrogen propulsion, lightweight structures, and autonomous inspection systems.

How they like to work

Airbus Defence and Space SA exclusively participates as a partner or third party — they have not coordinated any H2020 project, which is typical for large aerospace primes that contribute industrial capability rather than lead academic-style research. With 297 unique consortium partners across 21 countries, they operate as a high-connectivity hub embedded in very large Clean Sky 2 consortia. This means they are easy to approach as a consortium member but unlikely to take the coordination burden themselves.

With 297 unique partners across 21 countries, they maintain one of the densest collaboration networks in European aerospace. Their partnerships span the full Clean Sky 2 ecosystem — OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, research centres, and universities across Western and Southern Europe.

What sets them apart

As the Spanish division of a European aerospace giant, they bring large-scale flight-testing infrastructure and industrial manufacturing capability that most research partners simply cannot offer. Their dual presence in both aviation and space gives them cross-domain materials and systems expertise that few single organisations can match. For consortium builders, they are the partner that turns laboratory concepts into demonstrator-scale hardware.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GAM AIR 2018
  By far their largest project at EUR 16.9M — a major Clean Sky 2 airframe technology demonstrator representing the core of their H2020 engagement.
• SpaceCarbon
  Addresses European strategic autonomy in carbon fibre and pre-impregnated materials for launchers and satellites — a critical supply-chain independence initiative.
• Future Sky Safety
  A flagship pan-European aviation safety programme covering fire safety, human factors, and organisational resilience — one of their few non-Clean-Sky projects.