Gregoire praises Washington company on winning prized military unmanned aircraft contract

For Immediate Release: July 30, 2010

OLYMPIA - Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement regarding the news that Bingen based Boeing subsidiary, Insitu, Inc. was awarded a $43.7 million contract to develop a Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System for the Navy and Marine Corps:

�Washington has long been a leader in commercial aircraft and the work that Insitu will be doing for the military will position us to continue as leaders in the emerging field of unmanned aircraft systems. This helps create technology-based jobs critical in the 21st century economy.

�The aircraft developed by Insitu protects the men and women of our military. It also has important civilian applications in responding to emergency situations, managing natural resources and public safety. We are proud that such an important technology has its home in our state.

�My congratulations to Insitu and to the hundreds of people they employ here in Washington on winning a contract that will create local jobs and help protect our military.�

# # #