Elbit Systems: A Company of Innovation and Technology
Elbit Systems Ltd. is one of Israel's largest defense electronics manufacturers and integrators. Established in 1967, and based in Haifa, Israel, Elbit has become a worldwide recognized company, which numbers more than 10 thousand people. Elbit Systems' shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange. Elbit Systems develops manufactures and integrates advanced, high-performance defence electronic and electro-optic systems for customers throughout the world. Company's main focus is placed on designing, developing, manufacturing and integrating command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) network centric systems, including unmanned vehicles, for defence and homeland security applications. Additionally, Elbit performs upgraded programs for airborne, land and naval defence platforms, often as a prime contractor. Moreover, it develops and manufactures avionic and aero structure products for the commercial aviation market.
It is clearly stated in the company's business philosophy that "strategic alliances enable participants to increase their ability to deliver value to customers, to the mutual advantage of all parties". Under this notion Elbit has extensive experience in building and managing alliances with a variety of partners worldwide.
Elbit is maintaining the position that it already holds in the highly competitive market of Aerospace and Defence by skilfully investing in R&D. Gross R&D expenses are set high above industry standards at about 10% of annual revenues, a figure reflecting corporate commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs. Over 2,000 of scientists, engineers and software developers worldwide are engaged in continuous development of newer, more sophisticated, reliable and cost-effective systems for internationally renowned customers. Additionally, the company encourages joint ventures and cooperation with industry partners, international research institutions and universities in a continuous search for future, cutting-edge technologies.
Furthermore, Elbit is investing heavily in exploring on ongoing basis potential spin-offs of the company¿s defence related technologies for commercial applications. The company's main technology spin-offs are involved in intra-body navigation medical equipment, commercial satellites and internet communications for civil aviation, commercial communications and microwave technologies.
Elbit and a number of other companies of the group have been awarded with several national and international prices and certifications. The most important of them are the certification for ISO-9001:2000 and 14001 by the Israeli National Standards Institute, including ISO-9000-3 for software. El-Op is certified for ISO-9001 and 14001. Cyclone and Silver Arrow are certified for ISO-9001. EFW is certified for ISO-9001 by the American National Standard Institute and its New Hampshire subsidiary is certified for ISO-9001 and ISO-9002.
Elbit has accomplished several successes, lately. On 1st of September 2008 Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded a contract to supply Hermes 450 UAV systems to a country in the Americas for the total of approximately $25 million. The contract also includes Skylark I systems, all to be delivered within a year.
These latest developments clearly illustrate that Elbit is a major player in the international market of the Aerospace and Defence industry. A company that should be fairly characterised as a world leading source of innovation and technology.
The article originally appeared in the newsletter of Epicos.com – The Portal for Aerospace & Defence Professionals. Its appears herein with their kind permission.