Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke
Encyclopedia
Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW) was a German aerospace
company formed by the 1964 merger of Focke-Wulf
and Weser Flugzeugbau GmbH (Weserflug). The formation of VFW was a natural outcome of the 1961 rocket technology development alliance between the two merger partners and Flugzeugbau (HFB) in the Entwicklungsring Nord
(ERNO) group.
VFW-Fokker
GmbH was a joint venture of Fokker
and VFW started in 1969, but which ended in 1980.
In 1981, VFW was taken over by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
(MBB), which in its turn was taken over in 1989 by DASA. In July 2000 DASA merged with Aerospatiale-Matra
and CASA to form EADS
.
Afterwards, the ERNO
/VFW descendant was active as the space infrastructure division of Astrium contributing parts to the European Ariane
space booster system and the International Space Station
. In June 2003, this unit became part of EADS SPACE Transportation
.
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
company formed by the 1964 merger of Focke-Wulf
Focke-Wulf
Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau AG was a German manufacturer of civil and military aircraft before and during World War II. Many of the company's successful fighter aircraft designs were slight modifications of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190.-History:...
and Weser Flugzeugbau GmbH (Weserflug). The formation of VFW was a natural outcome of the 1961 rocket technology development alliance between the two merger partners and Flugzeugbau (HFB) in the Entwicklungsring Nord
Entwicklungsring Nord
The Entwicklungsring Nord - abbreviated ERNO - was a 1961 joint venture of Bremen-based Weserflug and Focke-Wulf with Hamburger Flugzeugbau to develop parts for rockets and get involved in space activities....
(ERNO) group.
VFW-Fokker
VFW-Fokker
VFW-Fokker GmbH was a joint venture of Fokker and Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke started in 1969 that, from then on, controlled the ERNO initiative....
GmbH was a joint venture of Fokker
Fokker
Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. The company operated under several different names, starting out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moving to the Netherlands in 1919....
and VFW started in 1969, but which ended in 1980.
In 1981, VFW was taken over by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm was a German aerospace company formed as the result of several mergers in the late 1960s. Among its best-known products was the MBB Bo 105 light twin helicopter...
(MBB), which in its turn was taken over in 1989 by DASA. In July 2000 DASA merged with Aerospatiale-Matra
Aérospatiale-Matra
Aérospatiale-Matra was a French missile and aircraft manufacturer. It was formed in 1999 by the merger of French companies Aérospatiale and Matra Haute Technologie....
and CASA to form EADS
EADS
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. is a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide...
.
Afterwards, the ERNO
Entwicklungsring Nord
The Entwicklungsring Nord - abbreviated ERNO - was a 1961 joint venture of Bremen-based Weserflug and Focke-Wulf with Hamburger Flugzeugbau to develop parts for rockets and get involved in space activities....
/VFW descendant was active as the space infrastructure division of Astrium contributing parts to the European Ariane
Ariane
Ariane is a feminine name. It is a French translation of the Greek name Ariadne. It may refer to:-People:* Princess Ariane of the Netherlands * Ariane Ascaride , French actress and screenwriter...
space booster system and the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
. In June 2003, this unit became part of EADS SPACE Transportation
EADS SPACE Transportation
EADS Astrium Space Transportation was formed in June 2003 from the Space Infrastructure division of Astrium and the EADS Launch Vehicles division . Until July 2006 it was called EADS Space Transportation and was a fully owned subsidiary of EADS Space...
.