Qatari-owned Barzan Aeronautical and Israeli firm Elbit Systems are both to establish facilities in South Carolina, according to recent releases by the Charleston County Economic Development Department.
It was announced in a 12 November release that Barzan Aeronautical, a US-based subsidiary of Qatar's Barzan Holdings, would be investing USD14.7 million in the new facility that would generate 34 jobs. The Barzan Aeronautical site will develop, construct, and operate an assembly, testing, and distribution facility for unmanned aerial systems at the Charleston Executive Airport on Johns Island in Charleston County, South Carolina. South Carolina's Post and Courier reported in April that planning permission for the facility included a 54,000 sq ft aircraft manufacturing plant, an 18,400 sq ft office building, and another structure near the parking area with offices, conference room, and classroom.
The assembly plant design, according to the Post and Courier, included spaces for five small aircraft inside the building next to several smaller production spaces, which include a 3,500 sq ft machine welding shop, a shipping and receiving room, an electronics department, and a 4,300 sq ft systems integration lab.
Operations are expected to commence at the site in late 2022.
As part of the company's development of the facility and its presence in the United States, Barzan Aeronautical has also partnered with Trident Technical College to create a centre of excellence at the facility. The agreement with the college will also involve staff and student exchanges with the Doha-based Qatar Aeronautical College.
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