Silicon Valley Historical Association

BAE Systems is a premier global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs nearly 100,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately $25 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.

BAE Systems’ Santa Clara facility, which employs more than 1,400 employees, is committed to force protection for both current and future U.S. forces, from vehicle systems to individual soldiers. The Santa Clara facility, once part of United Defense Industries before the company was acquired by BAE Systems in 2005, has a long and rich history in Silicon Valley, dating back to the 1880s, when it was part of FMC. FMC began as the Bean Spray Pump Company before moving into the defense business during World War II. In 1994, FMC merged its Defense Group with Harsco Corporation’s BMY Combat Systems to form United Defense, L.P., which was then sold to the Carlyle Group in 1997. United Defense Industries became a publicly traded company in 2001 and BAE Systems is now one of the top 10 defense companies in the United States.

The Santa Clara site is well known for its innovative design and development of the Bradley Combat Systems, the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, and the Amphibious Assault Vehicle, which provide protection and combat advantage to military troops facing threats around the world.

As a key member of the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) Team, BAE Systems is helping to ensure the future success of U.S. soldiers on the battlefield by developing and demonstrating five Manned Ground Vehicles that are part of the family of systems for FCS, which will include support for the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon in 2008. These critical systems will be the first in a new line of combat vehicles that will empower soldiers through unmatched firepower, situational awareness, and survivability. BAE Systems’ most recent advanced vehicle program -- the mine-protected RG33 wheeled vehicle in 4x4 and 6x6 versions -- is designed to address demanding requirements based on today’s threats by delivering enhanced blast protection and survivability to the crew inside. The vehicle series is mission configurable for infantry carrier, ambulance, command and control, convoy escort, explosive ordnance disposal and other roles, and is recoverable by another RG33. BAE Systems is also developing and delivering integrated survivability technologies, from body armor inserts to advanced armor solutions that provide new levels of soldier survivability and combat vehicle performance.

The Santa Clara facility also is home to the Combat Simulation Integration Lab where vehicle hardware and soft ware tests and evaluation activities are performed and the Power and Energy System Integration Lab, which integrates and tests hybrid electric components and systems.

Through its employees in Santa Clara, BAE Systems is helping to ensure the success and safety of U.S. servicemen and women on the battlefield, empowering them with superior firepower and situational awareness and a new level of advanced survivability solutions.

This company history was written by the Santa Clara Valley Historical Association in 2008.

BAE Systems website