Hughes Aircraft Gets Bonus for Delivering System Early

Hughes Aircraft Co. said Monday it earned a $50-million bonus by delivering the $1-billion Peace Shield air-defense system to Saudi Arabia more than six months ahead of schedule.

Hughes Aircraft, a unit of Hughes Electronics, said the system will allow the Royal Saudi Air Force to control its airborne and ground resources to maintain the Kingdom’s airspace sovereignty. The system includes a central command and control center, five regional centers, 17 long-range air-defense radar systems and several other facilities.

The company said it delivered the system to Saudi Arabia in the 48th month of a 54-month schedule. Hughes said it will share $20 million of the bonus with its employees. Hughes Electronics is a unit of General Motors Corp.