Castilla y León Aeronáutica (CASTLE AERO), one of the Companies of Grupo Aciturri, has signed an agreement with EADS SOCATA for the supplying of the "sponsons" central parts of the A400M, the next freight aircraft designed by Airbus which will cover the needs of the European countries air transport.

The agreement subscribed by both of the companies includes the supply of the "sponsons" central part for all the aircraft life, this structure surpass the 5 meters in length, it includes the landing gear which way of working is similar to the trap and "Belly Fairing" of a commercial aircraft.

CASTLE AERO will deliver the first prototype of the element agreed by the end of 2006 and 4 full ensembles in the year 2007, supporting the program cadence.

For the time being Airbus has got 200 firm orders from the Governs of Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Luxemburg, United Kingdom, and Turkey. The European constructor's purchasing forecast is placed up to the 400 units. According to this prediction, Klaus Maier, Grupo Aciturri Commercial Manager, reckons an invoicing higher than 35 MM € for the manufacture of "sponsons" central parts for the all program life.

The measure "sponsons" main structure of the A400 is 2,5 meters wide, it exceeds 5 meters in length, and it will be made of metallic construction. In order to make this project, Castle Aero will have Subcontratación de Proyectos Aeronáuticos' (SPASA) and Mecanizados Gines collaboration, which are part of the same Company Group and which are specialized in the machining of different parts and structures in the aeronautic sector.

This contract completes the participation of Grupo Aciturri Companies in the A400M project, they are working for this program since the year 2005 by manufacturing different parts such as the actuators of the aircraft freight ramps.

Castilla y León Aeronáutica is a company member of Grupo Aciturri and specialized in the design integral provision, manufacturing, assemblies of structures and aeronautical sector.