Erik Smith, vice president and general manager for sensor systems at Saab Defense and Security USA — a Saab Group subsidiary — has been appointed president and CEO of the business.
“Erik has extensive experience in the U.S. defense industry and has a demonstrated understanding of how to navigate our market area’s unique market conditions, ” Michael Andersson, president and CEO of Saab’s North America organization, said in a statement issued Monday.
Smith most recently oversaw the development and implementation of company strategies in the U.S. military surveillance sensor technology market.
He joined the company through its acquisition of air traffic management business Sensis, where Smith served as general manager for defense and security solutions from July 2007 to December 2014.
He also previously managed contracts at Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) for seven years.
Smith succeeds interim CEO Jon Klaus, who will move to a senior executive role within Saab’s North America group.