Airbus Commits to use CATIA and ENOVIAVPM Software as The Product Development Platform for the A3XX and Future Aircraft Programs

Airbus Industrie, IBM and Dassault Systemes (NASDAQ : DASTY) today announced that Airbus has signed a memorandum of agreement by which Airbus intends to purchase Dassault Systemes and IBM CATIA and ENOVIAVPM, as major software for Aircraft development and manufacturing within Airbus.

Toulouse and Suresnes (France), 20 July 2000--Pursuant to this initial seven-year agreement, over 2500 seats will be deployed within Airbus to support the development of the A3XX. CATIA will be used for the product creation and simulation. ENOVIAVPM will be used to provide an integrated design through manufacturing solution and to establish the link with the PDM system used by Airbus. As far as digital factory software is concerned, Airbus is also considering the use of DELMIA software.

The use of IBM and Dassault Systemes software throughout the Airbus extended enterprise, will largely contribute to the complete integration of the digital aircraft development.

On June 23 Airbus started to offer the A3XX aircraft to airlines. The aircraft will be the largest aircraft ever built with 550 passengers. The first flight is scheduled in 2004. The A3XX will be designed and manufactured by the Airbus partners, in association with 10 risk sharing partners.

"The selection of the CATIA products to help design our aircraft shows our confidence into this system to support the A3XX development," says Alain GARCIA, Senior Vice President Engineering for the new AIRBUS Integrated Company. "CATIA will be a major tool in our virtual reality system, linking design and manufacture and maintenance of the aircraft, years before it actually exists."

"We are delighted to start this major partnership with Airbus and to contribute to the A3XX program," stated Etienne Droit, Executive Vice-President Sales and Marketing, Dassault Systemes. "This decision from Airbus demonstrates again the leadership of CATIA and ENOVIAVPM technologies in the support of collaborative work required within aircraft development processes. Our most advanced technologies, including CATIA Version 5 Knowledgeware, will contribute to perform the A3XX development within the time and cost objectives. "

"We are pleased that Airbus has also chosen our new Product Lifecycle Management e-business solutions area," stated Martin Jetter, General Manager IBM Product Lifecycle Management solutions. "We have a strong commitment to the aerospace industry worldwide, and the support of IBM Global Services as well as our major partners can assist Airbus in driving for innovation through engineering excellence in a highly competitive market."