PARSIPPANY, NJ -- DRS Technologies Inc. a Finmeccanica Company, announces the opening of its second Heavy Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Elizabeth City, NC.
The 80,000-square-foot facility will double the existing capacity of the current facility. It will include the required structural, mechanical, electrical shops to potentially provide full support for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the HC-130 and other Coast Guard/DHS aircraft. Amenities in the new facility include a full service cafeteria and large training rooms to support employees and customers.
Dignitaries including Congressman Bill Owens joined DRS officials in the celebration of this existing partnership for potential work as needed with the Coast Guard, local and state communities. In early 2006, in partnership with the Coast Guard, DRS opened the first Heavy Maintenance Facility with the help of federal and state grants guaranteeing a work force of 100 personnel for local and state infrastructure improvements. DRS now employs 220 personnel in the area and is in the process of hiring an additional 125 personnel to support the new facility in Elizabeth City, which DRS has selected as its Aviation Center of Excellence.
"The unique partnership between the Coast Guard, Elizabeth City, the State of North Carolina and DRS is a model for government and industry," says Mark Newman, CEO of DRS.
Since the initial groundbreaking in 2004, DRS has established a partnership with the University of North Carolina and the local community college to further the development of aviation technology and support the training of qualified aerospace professionals. The state educational system supports DRS's ability to train and hire local qualified personnel.
For more information visit www.drs.com.
