U.S. Air Force radar contract win means more growth for Saab in DeWitt

Saab Defense and Security in DeWitt will partner with Raytheon Company on a major U.S. Air Force radar contract announced Thursday. The pact will help fuel continued job growth at Saab locally.

The Air Force awarded a $52.6 million radar contract to Raytheon’s integrated defense systems business, according to a news release on the Raytheon website. It’s one of four business units of Raytheon, an aerospace and defense company based in Massachusetts.

The contract is for the engineering and manufacturing of the three-dimensional expeditionary long-range radar system, or 3DELRR.

“We are a proud partner of Raytheon on the 3DELLR program. This award is great news for Saab and a further confirmation of our expertise in the area of radar and sensor solutions. It is also a step forward in our long-term plan for strategic growth in the U.S. and will bring more jobs to our operations in New York State,” Saab said in a statement.

When asked about the number of new jobs it could mean for Saab Defense and Security in DeWitt, the company said the following.

“We have been growing steadily over the past year and a half in [Central New York,] having employed more than 100 people in that time. And we expect continued growth this year as well. Based on this specific award, we see a potential to add a further 25 jobs over our current plans,” Saab said.

The contractor will provide engineering and manufacturing development of three 3DELRR units, Raytheon said.

Employees will perform the work in Andover, Massachusetts and should complete the work by Nov. 30, 2020, Raytheon added.

Expansion plans

This contract partnership isn’t the first time that Saab made headlines in 2017.

The company also plans to relocate the North American headquarters of Saab Defense and Security USA, LLC from Ashburn, Virginia to its site on Enterprise Parkway in the town of DeWitt.

The move, “in conjunction with other planned activities,” will result in the creation of nearly 260 new, high-tech jobs, as well as the retention of Saab’s existing local workforce of more than 450 employees, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in his regional State of the State address in Syracuse in January.

Empire State Development, New York’s primary economic-development agency, is providing the company an incentive package of up $30 million in tax credits and a grant, Cuomo said. Saab will invest $55 million in the expansion.

Saab, a company based in Sweden, services customers in the military-defense and civil-security sectors.

Saab acquired DeWitt–based Sensis Corp. in 2011 and split the corporation into two units — Saab Defense and Security at 5717 Enterprise Parkway in DeWitt and the Saab Sensis Corp. unit at 85 Collamer Crossing Parkway, also in DeWitt

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com