Hawaii-based North Star Scientific Corporation, an electronic defense manufacturing firm announced it will expand operations to Oklahoma City.
The initial facility will start operations in January with only five employees but the company said it will eventually increase to 40 workers once the plant is fully operational.
“NSS has chosen the state of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City as the site of our expansion because of the favorable business environment and the availability of personnel and other resources that benefit aerospace companies, especially those focused on radar and electronics,” said Dr. James Stamm, CEO of North Star Scientific Corporation.
NSS designs, develops, and qualifies state of the art electronic systems for Department of Defense applications and delivers reliable high-performance products and services. It specializes in radar frequency systems designs and rapid research & development/custom solutions.
“We are proud to have North Star Scientific join Oklahoma’s aerospace industry,” said Sean Kouplen, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Workforce Development. “They recognized what our state has to offer – a positive business climate and skilled workforce – and decided to join the more than 1,100 aerospace entities operating here.”
Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce President Roy Williams said it is obvious North Star recognized the benefits of being located close to Tinker Air Force base.
The company was founded 19 years ago by James Stamm, Robert Swisher and Sharmaine Swisher, who drew on their experience with military and civilian military sectors. The firm started operations at the Swisher’s garage but now operates out of a 23,000 square foot facility in Kapolei, Hawaii.
The company website said the firm focuses on designing, manufacturing, and servicing of dependable Department of Defense communications and radar equipment.
Its products have operated in a range of platforms, such as Northrop Grumman’s E-2C Hawkeye, Lockheed Martin’s P-3 Orion, the Littoral Combat Ship, and various air and sea unmanned vehicles.