NORD

Nord Aviation was a French aircraft manufacturer that operated under state-ownership. The company was established on 1 October 1954 following the acquisition of SFECMAS by SNCAN. Nord Aviation was primarily located at Bourges airport in central France. The company produced a range of aircraft including the Nord Noratlas, which was well-received by both military and civilian customers. In addition to aircraft manufacturing, Nord Aviation also developed various missiles, the most prominent of which was the Exocet anti-ship missile. On 1 March 1970, the company merged with Sud Aviation to form Société nationale d’industrie aérospatiale, which was later renamed Aérospatiale. The company eventually became a part of the European Aerospace Corporation EADS, which was subsequently renamed to the Airbus Group. Throughout its history, Nord Aviation played an important role in the rebuilding and consolidation of France’s aviation industry after World War II.