Uniting the two businesses is a $19-million renovation-and-expansion project that involves roughly 475,000 sf of space at 1 Hazeltine Way in Greenlawn. BAE is eligible to apply for a $1 million Empire State Development capital grant for costs associated with the company's relocation. The build out and move, scheduled to be completed by 2005, is expected to create 148 new jobs in Suffolk County. The project will also enable BAE to retain 348 jobs from the Syosset operation.

"Especially considering the major new challenges the national economic downturn is presenting to communities all across the country, this announcement is great news for Long Island," Governor George Pataki commented about the move.

BAE Systems Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems designs, manufactures and supports information and electronic warfare, reconnaissance and navigation systems for a broad range of airborne, shipboard and ground-based uses. The company also produces visible and infrared focal planes for use in medical, space and military applications.