ARLINGTON, VA -- (Marketwire) -- 08/11/09 -- Gary M. Bishop has joined EADS North America as vice president of its Armed Scout 645 program. EADS North America is offering the Armed Scout 645 combat helicopter to strengthen U.S. Army capabilities in aerial reconnaissance and security during operations in current and future conflicts.

Bishop is a highly experienced helicopter program manager, and served in the U.S. Army where he led aviation and armor units, and performed assignments in the acquisition community.

"Gary Bishop's expertise in leading critical Army helicopter programs -- combined with his experience from a 20-year military career -- will be extremely valuable as EADS North America continues to offer low risk, highly capable and best-value systems to the U.S. Army," said EADS North America Chief Operating Officer David R. Oliver.

In the private sector, Bishop previously led the industry team responsible for the U.S. Army's Apache Longbow programs at Mesa, Ariz. He managed Apache Longbow remanufacture and new production programs for Block I, Block II, Extended Block II, and Wartime Replacement Aircraft. Bishop was also responsible for the Apache Block III developmental program. Prior to leading U.S. Army programs, Bishop served as the United Kingdom Apache program manager and the acting director for all International Apache Programs for a leading defense company.

Bishop's 34-year career in aviation has included a variety of management positions in areas as diverse as international program management, congressional relations, simulation and digitization, experimental flight test engineering and electronic warfare.

Bishop holds a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.; a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.; and a master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I. He also is a graduate of the Program Manager's course at the Defense Systems Management College, Ft. Belvoir, Va.

EADS North America's Armed Scout 645 is based on the same airframe as the highly successful UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter it is currently delivering to the U.S. Army. The world-class industry team assembled by EADS North America for the Armed Scout 645 includes Lockheed Martin as the Mission Equipment Package integrator, and American Eurocopter -- which will build the aircraft at its Columbus, Miss., facility where Lakotas are currently manufactured.

About EADS North America

EADS North America is the North American operation of EADS, one of the two largest aerospace and defense companies in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $11 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 200,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.

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