“Strong demand from our domestic and international customers has fueled this expansion,” says Jim Barber, vice president and general manager of the Exelis Electronic Systems Integrated Structures business.
“This facility leverages our core strengths and capabilities as we invest in new technologies to meet the needs of our customers and the aerospace industry.”
Exelis has more than 40 years of experience in the design and manufacturing of composite structures and assemblies in Utah. Along with producing parts for military applications, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Marine Corps’ heavy lift helicopter, the CH-53K, Exelis provides engines to GE for a wide variety of aircraft and vacuum tanks for several of the Boeing 7-series jets.
With its new Salt Lake City facility, Exelis will be better positioned to meet customers’ growing needs for composites, which are used increasingly by airframers as an alternative to metal structural parts on commercial and military aircraft, as well as on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
“With the addition of automated fibre placement and tape laying capability combined with high speed machining, inspection and assembly, Exelis is positioned to provide optimal composite solutions more efficiently,” reports Barber.
The expansion aligns with the company’s strategy to invest strategically in broad-based government and commercial solutions, such as aerostructures and air traffic management. It has added 250,000 ft2 to its Salt Lake City footprint and hired 100 employees during the past year.
ITT Exelis (NYSE: XLS), headquartered in McLean, Virginia, USA, is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defence and information solutions company. The company employs about 20,500 people and generated 2011 sales of $5.8 billion.