ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 12, 2004 -- EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, announced on Wednesday the company's support for a new international research organization at the University of Texas, Dallas (UTD) to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience on risk management.

EADS is providing a substantial grant to support the International Center for Decision and Risk Analysis (ICDRiA) at the University. Formed in October 2004 by Dr. Alain Bensoussan, the ICDRiA Center will study risk management as it relates to large-investment industrial projects that involve new technologies, applications and markets.

"EADS support of Dr. Bensoussan's efforts to establish the Center for Decision and Risk Analysis mirrors the global industrial strategy of EADS to expand scientific and technical cooperation with the U.S. academic and scientific communities," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman and CEO, EADS North America, and a member of the EADS Executive Committee who made the presentation to Dr. Bensoussan. "Our support also reflects the company's experience that risk management is core to the decision-making process and to the public-academic partnership that leads to innovation."

"We are very pleased and honored to have the corporate support of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and innovation," said ICDRiA Director Dr. Bensoussan. "This support will enable the center to conduct comparative studies in methodological and organizational aspects of risk management and importantly provide a forum for the exchange of experience and knowledge in these critical areas of business."

Dr. Da Hsuan Feng, Vice President for Research at the University of Texas at Dallas, emphasized the University of Texas at Dallas's interest in cooperating with the European leader in Aeronautics and Space. "UTD is eager to expand its international links, and this important initiative with EADS is a significant step forward."

Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Dean of the School of Management, stated that Risk Management is a critical field of cooperation between the academic community and private industry. "The School of Management will mobilize its expertise, and this important relationship with EADS will be a significant boost to our research efforts in this field," explained Dr. Pirkul.

Dr. Alain Bensoussan who established the Center and now serves as its Director, joined the UTD faculty in the summer of 2004 as a Distinguished Research Professor. Dr. Bensoussan is a member of the French Academy of Sciences, the French Academy of Technology, the Academia Europe, and of the International Academy of Astronautics. He is an IEEE fellow, an Officer of Legion d'Honneur from France and Officer Bundes Verdienst Kreuz from Germany and received the Von Humboldt award as well as NASA's public service medal. He is also a Professor Emeritus at the University of Paris, Dauphine. Dr. Bensoussan served as President of the National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control (INRIA) from 1984 to 1996, Chairman of the European Space Agency Council from 1999 to 2002, and President of the French Space Agency, CNES, from 1996-2003. A graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique, Dr. Bensoussan earned his PhD from the University of Paris.

About the UTD School of Management

The School of Management is the largest of UTD's seven schools, with an enrollment that has increased 92 percent over the last eight years to more than 4300 students. The school's new 204,000 square-foot facility opened in August 2003. The University of Texas at Dallas enrolls more than 14,000 students and offers a broad range of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs (www.utdallas.edu).

About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)

EADS North America is the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $6 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 100,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. With 12 operating companies located in 39 cities and 21 states, EADS offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of 30.1 billion euros and employed a workforce of approximately 109,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the world's largest helicopter supplier, Eurocopter.

For more information about EADS North America, visit www.eadsnorthamerica.com or contact Diane Murphy at 703-236-3300, or email: diane.murphy@eads-na.com

EADS North America
Diane Murphy, 703-236-3300
Diane.Murphy@eads-na.com