Posted on 05/03/2003 6:52:49 PM PDT by BenLurkin
MOJAVE - BAE SYSTEMS Flight Systems will build 24 QF-4 aerial targets for the Air Force under a $17.3 million contract awarded April 30.
"This contract means continued and measured growth while maintaining a lead position for future full-scale aerial target contracts," said Dale Avery, BAE spokeswoman.
Officials at the Mojave Airport company hope the new contract will lead to hiring later in the year. Potentially, these will be rehires of already qualified workers from earlier lay-offs, Avery said.
The company employs approximately 180 people at the Mojave site.
The contract awarded is a modification of the one originally proposed by the Air Force, doubling the number of drones ordered.
The full-scale drones are F-4 fighter aircraft modified to be remotely piloted for use as realistic targets in test and training exercises.
Part of BAE SYSTEMS, BAE's Flight Systems branch operates from three locations in North America - Mojave, Palmdale and Lakehurst, N.J.
BAE SYSTEMS is one of the world's largest aerospace companies, employing nearly 100,000 people worldwide.
Its North America division is one of the top 10 suppliers to the Department of Defense, with operations in 30 states employing more than 25,000 people.
The Mojave site specializes in converting jet fighters into drones, building sub-scale drones, and modifying and upgrading aircraft.
It recently completed a contract to modify KC-135 tankers for the Department of Defense. The KC-135 is the principal tanker in the U.S. fleet, used for refueling aircraft in flight.
Known simply as Flight Systems Inc. in its early years, the once-small company specializing in testing new equipment on small jet airplanes became part of BAE SYSTEMS through a process of buyouts and mergers over four decades.
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