Local TRW Unit Grows Amid Defense Uncertainties
24 December 1998
Local TRW Unit Grows Amid Defense Uncertainties
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.--Dec. 23, 1998--TRW Strategic Systems, headquartered in San Bernardino, kept its focus this year on not only expanding its business base but its involvement in the community as well. This was done amid defense budget cutbacks, mergers, and the transition of BDM International, acquired earlier this year, into the unit's parent organization, TRW Systems & Information Technology Group of Fairfax, Va.
Early in 1998, TRW Strategic Systems was awarded a 15-year, $3.4 billion U.S. Air Force ICBM prime integration contract, adding significant business to its backlog. Award of this contract resulted in the establishment of a new business unit, based in Ogden, Utah, and the relocation of a number of San Bernardino engineers to the new site. The remaining San Bernardino operation became active as an engineering resource center for other TRW programs and expanded its leadership role in systems engineering and integration.
Other business highlights include selection of TRW as the prime systems integrator for a national network of healthcare organizations and selection as a participant in a NASA Space Transportation Architecture study, teamed with San Bernardino-based Kelly Space & Technology. The organization's engineering staff supported seven successful multi-service rocket launches this year and plans to support 15 space, ICBM, and sounding rocket launches in 1999.
The Strategic Systems business base nearly doubled in 1998, with the establishment of two additional customer offsites in Omaha, Neb. and Colorado Springs, Colo., increasing the number of offsites managed out of San Bernardino to 12.
TRW expanded its investment in the San Bernardino community with emphasis in early childhood education. For the fifth consecutive year, TRW provided USA Today's eight-week educational program to seven local elementary schools in Colton; Fontana; San Bernardino; Rialto; Highland; Redlands; and Mentone.
Three local preschools experienced a unique arts-in-education program called stART smART, funded by TRW and provided by the Virginia-based Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. Children at Teddy Bear Tymes Child Care Center, Smart Start Child Development Center, and Cornerstone Christian Preschool participated in this week-long program of learning using song, dance, and storytelling.
TRW's space heritage was expressed through the sponsorship of local middle school students, chosen to represent the San Bernardino area at this summer's TRW week at Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. NASA's Space Camp comprises a series of educational programs aimed at motivating young people in the study of mathematics, science, and technology.
Through TRW's local Employees Charity Organization, contributions of $12,000 were made to Inland Empire agencies including: ChildHelp USA, Community School Alliance Foundation, The Children's Center of Riverside, Cornerstone Christian Preschool, Audio Vision Radio Reading Service for the Blind, Inland Empire Branch of the Orton Dyslexia Society, Thompson Elementary School, and San Bernardino Area Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
More than $8,100 was raised by San Bernardino employees for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation "Walk to Cure Diabetes." Other charitable contributions totaling $6,000 were made to local nonprofit organizations such as Santa Claus, Inc. and San Bernardino County Museum. In addition to the contributions to nonprofit organizations, TRW donated more than $78,000 worth of surplus computers and equipment to various high schools, elementary schools, and community centers in the area. Total contributions for 1998 exceeded $121,000.
"This year we continued our work on the nation's ICBM program which has been ongoing here in San Bernardino since 1962," said Joe Mason, vice president and general manager, TRW Strategic Systems. "Next year we will build on our strengths as a leading provider of complex, mission-essential systems integration and engineering services, enabling our customers to solve critical problems."
TRW Inc. provides advanced technology products and services for the automotive, space and defense, and information technology markets worldwide. The company's sales in 1997 were approximately $12 billion. The company's news releases are available through TRW's corporate web site http://www.trw.com/ .