Construcciones Aeronauticas SA formed 3 March 1923,
with factory at Getafe, to produce all-metal aircraft for
Spanish Air Force. Began by license-building Breguet XIX reconnaissance-bomber biplanes, followed by other aircraft of foreign design including Dornier Wai flying-boats
(at Cadiz), Vickers Vildebeest torpedo-bombers, Gotha Go
145C biplane trainers, Junkers Ju 52/3m transports,
Bucker Bu 131, and 133 aerobatic trainers and Heinkel
He 111 medium bombers. Opened design department
after Second World War; first series product was Dornier
Do 27 general-purpose lightplane, followed by CASA-201
Alcotan, CASA-202 Halcon and CASA-207 Alcotan twin-engined
transports of own design. Completed
C-207 "Azor"
70 Northrop
F-5 fighters under license for Spanish Air Force. In 1972
took over Hispano Aviacion, followed by the ENMASA aero-
engine concern in June 1973. Currently has three divisions,
namely Aircraft, Maintenance, and Space: Aircraft
division activities include design of aircraft and integrated structures; share in international Airbus, Eurofighter, and
FLA programs; manufacture of structural parts and components
for Boeing, Eurocopter, Northrop Grumman, and
Saab aircraft; continuing development and production of
C-101 Aviojet advanced and lead-in jet trainer/light attack
aircraft (first flown June 1977), C-212 Aviocar (first flown
March, and currently offered in Series 400 form as first
flown April 1997) in transport and maritime versions, and
development of the new ATX family of advanced trainers
and light combat aircraft; and production of CN 235 via
international Airtech company (q.v.).
