Saab held yesterday (13) the inauguration ceremony of its facilities in West Lafayette, in the US state of Indiana. There, the Swedish manufacturer will produce parts of the US Air Force's new advanced trainer, the T-7A Red Hawk, developed tly with Boeing.
Saab announced in May 2019 that West Lafayette would be the location for its expansion into the US aerospace sector, with construction of the new facility starting in 2020. domestic production of Saab's rear fuselage section for the T-7A Red Hawk training program. It will also research and development in autonomy, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
“This opening marks a historic moment for Saab. This high-tech facility and its growing workforce are the result of Saab's continued investment in the United States. Just as the T-7A Red Hawk will train the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots, we look forward to welcoming and training the next generation of aerospace engineers and other skilled personnel.” said Saab Group President and CEO Micael Johansson. “As a trusted local partner, Saab is committed to investing in our West Lafayette community and in research and development for a more sustainable world to keep people and society safe.”
Indiana is a natural home for @Saab. Today, we celebrated the grand opening of their new @WestLafayetteIN facility in partnership with @PurdueResFound.
Here, Hoosiers will build airframe sections for the @USAirForce T-7A Redhawk and redefines the future of aerospace. pic.twitter.com/y2mowxE7z8
— Governor Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) October 13, 2021
“Indiana is a natural home for Saab and it is exciting to be here today to celebrate the opening of this fantastic facility,” said Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “Saab is putting Hoosiers to work in the aerospace and defense industry and that is something we can all be proud of. I am thrilled that Indiana and Purdue University are helping to redefine the future of the aerospace industry with the T-7A Red Hawk program in West Lafayette.” said the governor.
By 2027, Saab expects to hire up to 300 staff for this facility, including fitters, engineers, system s and more. The West Lafayette facility will also collaborate with Purdue on research and development in sensor systems, artificial intelligence and more. Saab plans to export products and technology from this facility.
“We are excited about the internship and employment opportunities this relationship will bring to Purdue University students and alumni,” said Mitch Daniels, president of Purdue University. “It is a privilege to host Saab's new facility in Purdue's Discovery Park district and to collaborate with a world-renowned company like Saab in protecting the safety of Americans.”
“This new facility is our seventh location in the United States – as Saab, Inc., we are proud to be an American-owned company that sells American-made products,” said Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab, Inc. “With our deep understanding of the mission of the U.S. military and a culture that drives us to work quickly, efficiently and collaboratively with customers, we couldn't be more excited about the opportunities ahead to help keep Americans safe at home and abroad."
Saab's West Lafayette facility will manufacture the aft section with installed subsystems that extend from the back of the cabin to the end of the aircraft and supply them to Boeing's final assembly line in St. Louis. Louis to with the front section, wings, vertical stabilizers and tail.
