PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- General Dynamics Corp. has hired more than 100 employees to help work on a defense contract it was awarded by the Navy in December.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems ultimately hopes to hire 500 workers over the next five years to build, test and deliver the electronics systems for the Littoral Combat Ships.
Officials from the Pittsfield-based unit said half of the new workers came from inside Berkshire County. The other half is split between other Massachusetts residents and those living outside Massachusetts
Gov. Deval Patrick joined workers and company officials on Tuesday to mark the job growth.
The Littoral Combat Ships are estimated to cost $500 million each to build. The Navy wants 55.
General Dynamics is designing the ship's infrastructure, electronics systems and completing engineering work.