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Martin-Baker America was founded in 1986 in Northern Virginia to facilitate the Company's communication with the Naval Air Systems Command. In May 1985 Martin-Baker was awarded a major new contract to re-equip the F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, A-6F Intruder (later cancelled) and T-45 Goshawk aircraft with a new standard Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seat (NACES). This major programme called for close liaison between Martin-Baker in the UK, the Navy in Washington, DC and US based aircraft contractors and others. The result was Martin-Baker America whose team of dedicated specialists maintained technical support for NACES long after the UK plant closed for business each night.
In 1999 the decision was made to expand Martin-Baker America's activities to include both manufacturing and product support. It was appreciated that having these capabilities in-country would give the Company the opportunity to bid for business not available to offshore corporations. NACES was in full scale production by 1999 and over 1000 had already been delivered. This, together with dramatic improvements in communication since 1985, led to the closure of the NACES liaison office to be replaced by a manufacturing plant in Johnstown and dedicated support facility in Boothwyn, both in Pennsylvania. Today, the two sites have been integrated in Johnstown.
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