BAE opens new Texas facility

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AUSTIN, Texas, April 26 (UPI) -- Construction of a new manufacturing facility in Texas for BAE Systems' defense, aerospace and security technologies has been completed.

The plant's production will include circuit card assemblies for BAE's Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System and Laser Target Locator Module as well as network communication systems, aircraft landing systems and thermal imaging systems.

"This event marks the Austin campus' birth as a manufacturing center of excellence with the capability to build many of our electronic systems and products at a higher rate with a lower cost than ever before, making us more competitive in the defense market," said Lisa Aucoin, director of Integrated Vision Solutions at BAE Systems.

"This new facility will enable us to quickly produce and deliver next generation electronic systems directly to our warfighters."

BAE Systems employs about 525 people in Austin.

The new facility was opened earlier this week with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"The expansion by BAE Systems is great news …," said U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Texas.

"First of course is new jobs to put people back to work and help Central Texas continue our economic recovery. But, just as important, for both our area and the nation at large, is what kind of jobs. These are high-tech, high-paying private sector manufacturing jobs, exactly what we need to start rebuilding our economy for the long term."