Airbus Group, Inc. (formerly EADS North America) represents the North American activities of European multinational aerospace company Airbus. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, this American arm of the company participates in U.S. Department of Defense programs, in some cases as a prime contractor. The American unit operates under a Special Security Arrangement which allows it to work independently on some of the most sensitive United States defense programs despite its foreign ownership. It employs approximately 3,200 people and had 2011 revenues of $1.3 billion. In the United States, Airbus Group, Inc., oversees several subsidiaries including Airbus Helicopters, Inc., Cassidian Communications, Airbus Military North America, Fairchild Controls, and EADS North America Test and Services. With locations in 29 U.S. cities and 15 states, these entities provide fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft for commercial and military customers, land and maritime detection and border security technology, emergency call processing and notification solutions, defense electronics and avionics, and services. History Since its creation in 2003, Airbus Group Inc. has expanded its footprint through acquisitions and selection in competitions for military aircraft and systems. In 1974 Aérospatiale took full control of Vought Helicopter and in 1976 renamed it Aerospatiale Helicopter Corporation. In 1979 work began on a new helicopter facility in Grand Prairie, Texas. 2002: Grand Prairie facility underwent name change to Eurocopter 2003: Grand Prairie facility became part of EADS North America as subsidiary American Eurocopter October 2004: EADS North America acquired Racal Instruments (now part of EADS North America Test and Services) October 2004: Opened 85,500 sq. ft. helicopter production facility at Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Mississippi November 2005: Acquired Talon Instruments (now part of EADS North America Test and Services) June 2006: Selected with Sikorsky as prime contractors for Light Utility Helicopter February 2007: Opened Airbus Engineering Center in Mobile, AL. July–August 2007: Selected to provide unmanned aerial targets DT-35 and DT-45 to U.S. Army February 2008: Selected with prime contractor Northrop Grumman to provide KC-45 tanker to U.S. Air Force (award was later cancelled under protest) April 2008: Acquired Temecula, CA-based emergency response technology provider Plant CML October 2009: Announced expansion of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Delivery Center at the Mobile Regional Airport Plans for a Mobile, Alabama aircraft assembly plant were formally announced by Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier on 2 July 2012. The plans include a $600 million factory at the Brookley Aeroplex for the assembly of the A319, A320 and A321