Artist’s rendition of the Ariane 6. Photo: Safran.

[Via Satellite 05-02-2016] Airbus Group and Safran have signed an agreement for the second and final phase of their 50/50 Joint Venture (JV): Airbus Safran Launchers. Under the first phase of the JV, Airbus Group and Safran created a joint program company with their respective civil program contracts and major participations related to civil launcher activities. In this second and final phase, industrial assets and military launchers will be integrated in the JV.

Airbus Safran Launchers is guiding the development of Europe’s next generation launch vehicles, the Ariane 6 and Vega C. Airbus and Safran anticipate the deal will close in the second quarter of 2016 following completion of the remaining corporate and other formalities. The companies plan to release financial details of the transaction at the deal’s closing.