WINDBER — For 12 years, defense industry giant Raytheon Co. has served as mentor to its protégé – Kuchera Defense Systems – as part of a Department of Defense program.
On Wednesday, the two companies announced that relationship will continue for at least 10 more years, thanks to a new contract projected to be worth $100 million.
Under terms of the deal, Kuchera will procure materials for, assemble and test the telemetry unit of Raytheon’s Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, AMRAAM.
During flight tests, the telemetry unit is loaded instead of warheads. It provides range tracking, flight-termination functions, critical-range safety functions and other data tracking.
The AMRAAM is produced by Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Ariz., and is the premier missile of the U.S. arsenal.
Kuchera will add nearly 40 workers in engineering, manufacturing and project management to its staff of 225.
The company already has hired a handful of workers, said Carl Sax, executive vice president and general manager of Kuchera.
He said those workers will begin next week, and he expects to hire the full complement during the next eight months to prepare for full production in the fourth quarter of 2008.
“It’s a new product line for us,” Sax said. “It’s a complete transition, meaning we will do all material procurement, all assembly, all testing. And then we will ship them back to Raytheon.
“This deal is going to require us to grow and add new areas of knowledge and specialization.”
Raytheon officials said they chose Kuchera because of the Windber company’s strong track record as a quality supplier. James Knox, AMRAAM program director, said Raytheon believes it will benefit from Kuchera widening its capabilities.
“Our hope is that this will aid them in expanding and growing their capabilities. It will allow us to come back to them as a supplier on even more projects,” Knox said.
“They are a great supplier. We know we can rely on them and trust them, which is not something you can say for everyone.”
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, commended Kuchera employees for delivering quality products to the military on time and on budget. But he said the level of quality in their products is what make the difference for the war fighter overseas.
“You folks have been absolutely essential to our national defense,” Murtha said.
Homepage
Related Photos
-
Todd Berkey/THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT
Discussion
Kuchera inks $100M deal
- Tribune-Democrat News Slideshow
- Latest News
-
-
Sandusky asks for local jury; May trial date set
Jerry Sandusky says a local jury would be no more or less biased against him in his child sex abuse trial than a jury from anywhere else in Pennsylvania.
-
Feese gets 4-12 years for corruption
Brett Feese, a former Republican leader in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was sentenced today to four to 12 years in state prison and fined $25,000 for his role in a state corruption scandal.
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
-
- Local News
-
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
The widow of a man who a prosecutor determined committed “suicide by cop” by pointing a weapon at state police during a standoff is suing, claiming the shooting was not justified.
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
- Sports
-
-
Ex-Pirate Ludwick signs with Reds
The Reds have made a couple moves to improve their depth, finalizing a $2.5 million, one-year contract with outfielder Ryan Ludwick and a minor league deal with left-handed starter Jeff Francis.
-
NCAA proposes moving kickoffs from 30 to 35
The NCAA football rules committee has proposed moving kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35 and to limit the running start by players on the kicking team to 5 yards as a way of keeping players safer.
-
Bedford goes to Class AA quarterfinals by thumping first-time participant Western Wayne
Bedford was making its fifth straight appearance in the PIAA Class AA Dual-Meet Championships on Thursday.
-
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
College basketball in brief
A closer look at Thursday night's men's and women's college basketball games:
-
Ex-Pirate Ludwick signs with Reds
- Features
-
-
Events | Arts fitness
“Music and Art for Heart and Soul” will be held from 6 to 10 tonight at Art Works in Johnstown! 413 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
- 'New York City Subway Idol' | Soul, rhythm and blues singer in concert Feb. 18 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center
- All things afield at annual sportsmen's show
-
- Lifestyles
-
-
[VIDEO] A Stroke of Genius: Van Gogh exhibit opens at Art Museum
Vincent Van Gogh. The name conjures up images of bold, thick, swirly lines and stories of a man embroiled in deep turmoil.
In an exhibit currently showing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art titled “Van Gogh Up Close” through May 6, 46 of his paintings from the final four years of his life are on display, verifying his mastery of color and intensity, both in his professional and personal life.
- What was your favorite ad?
- Rapper flips bird during Super Bowl halftime show
-
- Multimedia
-
-
[VIDEO] A Stroke of Genius: Van Gogh exhibit opens at Art Museum
Vincent Van Gogh. The name conjures up images of bold, thick, swirly lines and stories of a man embroiled in deep turmoil.
In an exhibit currently showing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art titled “Van Gogh Up Close” through May 6, 46 of his paintings from the final four years of his life are on display, verifying his mastery of color and intensity, both in his professional and personal life.
- Video: Young bear, wolf play together
- [VIDEO] Cory Berchick sets Township school mark, but Somerset wins the match
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
