AerospatialeMatra

Aérospatiale-Matra was a French aerospace and defense consortium created in 1973 as a joint venture between Aérospatiale and the industrial group Matra. The company combined Aérospatiale’s expertise in aircraft manufacturing with Matra’s experience in advanced systems engineering, propulsion, and missile development. Headquarters were located in Marignane, near Marseille, with significant production facilities at Le Mans, Saint-Étienne and other French sites.

Key products of the consortium included a wide range of helicopters and fixed‑wing aircraft. The Alouette III, acquired from Sud Aviation and later produced under the Aérospatiale‑Matra banner, became one of France’s most widely used light helicopters. The Gazelle series expanded into export markets and military variants. Aérospatiale‑Matra also produced larger rotorcraft such as the Puma and the AStar, and was involved in the development of the T-45 Goshawk trainer for the United States Navy. In addition to rotorcraft, the company supplied components for civil aircraft, such as the Mirage series airframes.

In the defense sector, Aérospatiale‑Matra contributed to the development of missile systems, including the long‑range AM‑30 and the tactical ALARM anti‑tank missile. Military electronics, avionics, and energy systems were also produced under the consortium’s umbrella. The company grew to become a leading supplier of integrated aerospace and defense solutions.

In 1996 the airline holding was merged into the larger Airbus Group, with the company’s assets absorbed into Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space. Through these corporate changes, successor entities continue to produce many of the platforms originally pioneered by Aérospatiale‑Matra, maintaining its legacy within the European aerospace industry.