EDO Corp. executives joined US Rep. Henry E. Brown, Jr. and Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. to officially open a new facility to manufacture state-of-the-art battlefield communications systems. This operation employs 50 people, with a projected growth to 70 in 2007.

"This new facility is 50,000 square feet and will support our anticipated growth in the Communications and Networking Systems business unit," said James M. Smith, EDO’s chief executive officer. "Here we design and integrate voice and data communications equipment into end-to-end network solutions."

"I am pleased to extend my congratulations to EDO as we cut the ribbon on this new facility," said Congressman Brown. "EDO’s investment in our community is welcome news, and an indication of their belief in our ability to provide the technical talent necessary for their operations. EDO’s mission to provide state-of-the art communications and networking systems to our nation’s military is in keeping with our area’s considerable history of contributing to the defense of our nation."

Mayor Riley added, "the City of Charleston, South Carolina, is proud to welcome EDO Corp.’s expansion in the area. EDO, a well established corporation with clear high-growth potential, will bring new jobs and the additional prestige of being one of Forbes Magazine’s 25 fastest growing technology companies. The investment of this large and diverse company is certainly a testament to the potential of our community and our commitment to careful growth and development."

The new facility here is responsible for supporting the Transition Switch Module (TSM) program, a key component of the Marine Corps network-centric battlefield communications strategy. In 2005, EDO was awarded a contract with a maximum value of $240 M for the procurement of multiple configurations of TSMs.

Another key product at this business unit is the Joint Enhanced Core Communication System (JECCS) which EDO is also producing for the Marine Corps. JECCS provides a mobile telecommunications "central office", mounted on a Humvee that connects with the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) to give individual Marines full access to deployed communications networks.