SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: LOCKHEED PLANT IN OWEGO AWARDED NEARLY $45.8 MILLION CONTRACT- NEW MISSION WILL CREATE JOBS IN SOUTHERN TIER, IMPROVE MILITARY READINESS
Contract Will Pay for Procurement of Two Unmanned Aircraft Systems that Troops Use in Afghanistan
Contract Also Includes Repair Work that Will Bolster Business at Oswego Facility for Years to Come
Schumer: Contract Will Create Jobs, Grown Southern Tier Economy and Help Our Troops
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Lockheed Martin Plant in Owego is set to receive a military contract work $45,779,349. The contract will pay for the procurement of two cargo unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and predeployment activities that will directly help the troops in Afghanistan. Today's announcement will mean increased job creation and a growing economy in New York's Southern Tier.
"Right now there's nothing more important to helping middle class families in Southern New York then job creation, and this contract will mean jobs and economic activity across the region," Schumer said. " For years, the Lockheed plant in Owego has been ensuring the safety of the troops, this new mission will give the plant's word class workers the chance to have a direct impact on our brave troops in the field who need all the support they can get."
Today's announced contract award comes after Lockheed competed to procure the two cargo unmanned aircraft systems with other manufacturing sites across the country. The Navy's selection of the Owego plant is a testament to the facility's world class workforce and its sterling reputation of delivering for the troops. With these funds, workers in Owego will procure two cargo unmanned aircraft systems and also participate in predeployment readiness activities that will directly support our troops stationed in Afghanistan.
Since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan Unmanned Aircraft Systems have been working to keep the troops on the ground safe all while limiting risks for our country's brave pilots the Unmanned Aircraft Systems are able to fly lower to the ground than traditional aircraft and do so without placing the lives of troops at additional risk. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and serve diverse purposes. They may have a wingspan as large as a Boeing 737 or smaller than a radiocontrolled model airplane. A pilot on the ground is always in charge of UAS operations.
Today's contract announcement means a continued role for Lockheed Martin Plant in Owego ensuring that it remains a center for job growth and economic activity across the Southern Tier.
