HUNTSVILLE, Ala., 18 May 2009. Boeing will relocate the headquarters for its Missile Defense Systems (MDS) division from Arlington, Va., to the company's facilities in Huntsville, starting immediately.

"Our customers have been locating more of their personnel and operations in this community, so now is the right time for us to center our missile defense business here as well. We want to remain close to our customers and the vital national-security programs Boeing employees support," says Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager for Boeing Missile Defense Systems. "."

Current company operations in Huntsville include the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program and other missile defense work, such as the Arrow system and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 seeker, as well as work associated with Ares I, the International Space Station, Future Combat Systems, Avenger, SBInet, and engineering for the 787 and the P-8A Poseidon

Initially, Boeing will shift division management and support functions, such as Human Resources and Finance, to Huntsville, and will evaluate moving other employees currently working on MDS programs in Arlington. Between 40 and 50 positions may be transferred by the end of this year.

In addition, "Boeing already has 3,200 highly skilled employees and numerous program partners in Alabama," Hyslop says. Boeing is the largest aerospace company in Alabama and one of the state's largest employers..