Senator Reed, Commerce Secretary Pryor Welcome iXblue Defense Systems to Rhode Island
PRESS RELEASE
A global leader in defense technology, iXblue Defense Systems moving U.S. HQ to Lincoln; bringing 20+ jobs to Rhode Island
Nov. 16, 2018 (CRANSTON, R.I.) – Today alongside elected leaders and local dignitaries, iXblue Defense Systems announced its move to Rhode Island and the completion of its first products manufactured in the state.
Joined by U.S. Senator Jack Reed and Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, iXblue Defense Systems unveiled its first completed batch of the Marins M5 fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) – a high-performance inertial navigation system. Built and assembled at Cranston-based Federal Electronics, the Marins M5 is the first iXblue Defense Systems product ever to be manufactured in the United States.
With a manufacturing facility now up and running in Cranston, the company also announced plans to move its U.S. headquarters from Natick, Mass. to Lincoln, R.I. The company will officially move into its new office in early 2019, bringing more than 20 full-time, highly paid jobs to Rhode Island and bolstering the state’s long-time status as a national defense industry leader.
“iXblue has built its reputation on delivering innovative, state-of-the-art solutions that run on the world’s most advanced technology. We are proud to now have the ability to say we’re manufacturing these products right here in the United States; right here in Rhode Island,” said Mack Barber, President, iXblue Defense Systems. “We thank Federal Electronics for their partnership through this endeavor, and we thank Senator Reed and Secretary Pryor for joining us to celebrate the occasion. We look forward to our company’s exciting future in Rhode Island.
“Innovation is at the heart of Rhode Island’s identity, and I’m thrilled that iXblue is choosing Lincoln for its national headquarters,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “iXblue’s commitment to Rhode Island is a testament to the resurgence of manufacturing we’re seeing all around the state.”
iXblue Defense Systems is the latest addition to Rhode Island’s thriving defense industry, which, according to a 2017 study conducted by the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance, employs more than 30,000 people and annually contributes about $3.7 billion to the state’s economy. The Marins M5 is the first of several iXblue Defense Systems products the company plans to manufacture in Rhode Island over the next several years.
“I’m pleased to welcome iXblue Defense Systems and its employees to a new headquarters in Lincoln, where they’ll be closer to their manufacturing facilities in Cranston. This announcement is good news for Rhode Island and another sign of the importance of the undersea technology work done in our state, and its importance to our Navy and nation,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “iXblue will find many strong partners in Rhode Island — small and large companies and universities that provide technical expertise and support – to help advance research and prototyping for the Navy, and thrive in its new home.”
The Marins M5 is a high-performance precision inertial navigation system used in naval applications. A completely passive device with no sealed cavities or high-voltage discharge, the Marins M5 has an unrivaled lifetime and consumes very little power. It is among the most advanced, longest-lasting, and most reliable inertial navigation systems in the world.
“Today is an exciting day as iXBlue joins 29 other companies expanding or relocating to Rhode Island using the Governor’s economic development programs,” said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “Congratulations to Mack Barber and the entire iXblue team — we are pleased to be supporting and look forward to applauding the company’s success in the Ocean State.”
“iXblue has been present in the U.S. with dedicated teams for over 15 years,” said Fabien Napolitano, CEO iXblue Group. “For several years we have worked in tight collaboration with the U.S. Navy. Therefore we thought it was essential for iXblue to start manufacturing its defense inertial navigation in the country to be able to meet the challenging requirements of our customers there. The start of inertial manufacturing in the U.S. opens up great possibilities for our company and we have big ambitions for this market in the coming years.”
Media contact:
Chris Raia
Duffy & Shanley for iXblue Defense Systems
(401) 278-4445
craia@duffyshanley.com
About iXblue:
iXblue is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative solutions devoted to navigation, positioning and underwater imaging, shipbuilding, as well as photonics. Using its unique in-house technology, the company offers turnkey solutions to its civil and defense customers to carry out their sea, land, and space operations with optimum efficiency and reliability. Employing a workforce of 600 people worldwide, iXblue conducts its business with over 35 countries.
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Media Coverage:
WPRI: Naval navigation design company moving to RI 
Warwick Beacon: Cranston manufacturer helps subs find their way
