Elbit America Expands Roanoke County Facility, Boosting Night Vision Production & Creating Jobs
Elbit America is investing $30 million to expand its Warfighter systems facility in Roanoke County, Virginia, significantly increasing its capacity for producing advanced night vision technology. Teh expansion is projected to create over 250 new jobs, with a goal of growing the site’s workforce to over 1,000 employees. The investment will focus on new machinery and tools to meet increasing demand.
“The need for highly sophisticated night vision systems is growing in the U.S. and abroad,as militaries modernize their technologies to heighten situational awareness and successfully operate in all conditions,” stated Erik Fox,Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Warfighter Systems Division at Elbit America.”as one of the few manufacturers who produce image intensification tubes and these military grade systems, we must grow to keep up with demand. By investing now, elbit America is demonstrating our commitment to warfighters, positioning ourselves to have the people, expertise, and infrastructure in place to produce the next-generation night vision technology needed in modern warfare.”
The project is receiving approximately $4 million in combined investment from the Commonwealth of Virginia and Roanoke County,recognizing the importance of domestic manufacturing for national defense.
Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin highlighted the benefits of the expansion, saying, “Elbit America’s continued growth in Roanoke County strengthens America’s defense capabilities and supports our brave service members at home and abroad. This expansion will create nearly 300 new jobs and increase production of the high-quality night vision systems our military relies on every day. With Virginia’s strategic location, business-friendly surroundings, and robust veteran workforce, Elbit America is poised for continued success and growth in the Commonwealth.”
Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chair David Radford echoed this sentiment, stating, “Elbit America’s expansion is a tremendous win for Roanoke County and a testament to our thriving business climate. This $30 million investment and the creation of new jobs demonstrate Elbit America’s confidence in our community and our shared commitment to creating opportunities that strengthen our local economy and enhance quality of life for our residents.”
John Hull, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, emphasized the region’s historical contribution to defense technology, noting, “Elbit America’s continued investment in Roanoke County underscores the region’s long history of supporting the nation’s defense through advanced manufacturing and innovation.This expansion builds on that legacy, bringing new jobs, investment, and opportunity to our community.”
Elbit America President & CEO Luke Savoie affirmed the company’s dedication to providing cutting-edge technology to the U.S. military, stating, “We’re proud to offer our nation’s warfighters the overmatch capability that comes with superior night vision systems.Our customers depend on our ability to reliably produce image intensification tubes and night vision systems that are intuitive, lightweight, and packed with utility for any mission. With our expansion in Roanoke County, we’re demonstrating our commitment to innovating now and in the future.”
The Roanoke County facility has a long history of night vision technology production, dating back to the 1950s, and was acquired by Elbit America in 2019.
