ORANGE COUNTY

James J. Watson has been named vice president and general manager of the Newport Beach-based Aeronutronic Division of Ford Aerospace & Communications Corp.

Watson, who has been with Ford Aerospace for 28 years, replaces Robert O. Case, who retired March 1. Watson previously had been assistant general manager at the Aeronutronic Division.

The division does research, development and production of technical weapon systems. Ford Aerospace is a subsidiary of Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford Motor Co.