On November 13, Boeing celebrated the groundbreaking of a new Patriot Advanced Capabilities Three (PAC-3) seeker factory expansion, which is expected to increase annual production by over 30 percent.

Jim Ryan, Boeing’s Director of Integrated Air and Missile Defense, emphasized the importance of the expansion for production of PAC-3s.

“The Boeing seeker allows the Patriot Missile to identify, trap, and defeat a range of air and missile threats. It’s not an overstatement to say that the Patriot Missile saves lives. It’s simple. it saves lives,” said Ryan.

Ryan noted that the Patriot mission has been going on for over 20 years, and Boeing celebrated delivering its 5,000th seeker. He also mentioned that Boeing’s 35,000 square foot expansion will “greatly enhance our ability to meet growing air missile defense needs globally and help us protect service members and civilians around the world.”

Congressman Dale Strong expressed excitement for what developments like the PAC-3 expansion do for North Alabama.

“The PAC-3 missile seeker expansion is the kind of growth that we like to see in North Alabama. Now, the work that will be completed here is absolutely essential for protecting the warfighter and our allies and the growing threats we’re seeing,” mentioned Strong.

The Congressman said the presence of companies like Boeing show North Alabama’s potential to accelerate existing business growth, attract job seekers, and innovate.

The ceremony closed with the announcement of Boeing’s 2023 Higher Education Grant for Alabama, which awarded seven institutions a total of $415 K. Award recipients were Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, Calhoun Community College, Drake State Community and Technical College, University of Alabama, University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Tuskegee University.

“We believe that growing a diverse and robust pipeline is key to addressing critical workforce needs in the aerospace, manufacturing, and technology industries and beyond,” said Crystal Morgan, Boeing’s Director of Government Relations.

Distinguished guests included Congressman Dale Strong; State representatives Parker Moore and Terry Collins; former State Majority Leader, Clay Sofield; Mayor Tommy Battle and Mayor Finley; Shan McMillian from the office of Senator Kate Britt; Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon; Colonel Andrew Lunoff, Product Manager for the US Army Short and Intermediate Effectors for Layer Defense; and Lieutenant Colonel Steven Moebes, Product Manager for Lower Tier Interceptors.

For more information, please visit www.boeing.com.