BAE Systems Opens New Facility, Adds Jobs to Produce Military Vehicle Armor.AUSTIN, Texas -- BAE Systems BAE Systems British manufacturer of aircraft, missiles, avionics, naval vessels, and other aerospace and defense products. BAE Systems was formed (1999) from the merger of British Aerospace (BAe) with Marconi Electronic Systems. today opened a new facility that will produce armor kits to protect U.S. Army ground vehicles. The 33,000-square-foot facility will allow the company to build its L-ROD[TM] bar-armor kits faster and at lower cost. The company is under contract with the U.S. Army TACOM TACOM Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (US Army) TACOM Tactical Communications TACOM Tactical Command TACOM Tank-Automotive and Armament Command TACOM Theater Army Command TACOM Tactical Army Command TACOM Tactical Army COM Life Cycle Management Command and the Marine Corps Systems Command Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) is located at MCB Quantico. Mission Serve as the Commandant's principal agent for acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by the operating forces to accomplish their warfighting mission. , with orders totaling $34 million. BAE Systems plans to manufacture L-ROD kits on a new, automated au·to·mate v. au·to·mat·ed, au·to·mat·ing, au·to·mates v.tr. 1. To convert to automatic operation: automate a factory. 2. production line. The facility currently employs about half a dozen people, and about 30 more will be added this year. Several local businesses are subcontractors to the L-ROD production line, providing a further boost to the Austin economy. "From the beginning, the L-ROD team has been motivated by the recognition that this product saves lives," said Bill Kellner, L-ROD program manager for BAE Systems. "Our commitment to our troops and their families has led to innovations and enhancements in design, and now to a new manufacturing capability that will allow us to deliver this equipment to the frontlines faster and more efficiently." The low-cost L-ROD system protects vehicles without adding significant weight. It weighs less than half of comparable steel system, is bolted to the vehicle, and can be repaired easily in the field. BAE Systems developed the L-ROD system in 2005 under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S. government agency administered by the Department of Defense (see Defense, United States Department of). program to protect military vehicles Military vehicles include all land combat and transportation vehicles, excluding rail-based, which are designed for or are in significant use by military forces. See also list of armoured fighting vehicles. . The system can be adapted for installation on most military ground vehicles and is used on BAE Systems RG-31 and RG-33 series MRAPs. BAE Systems employs more than 650 people in Austin. About BAE Systems BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services . With approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded 15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007. |
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