Hughes Defense Deal

FULLERTON — Hughes Aircraft Co.’s Command and Control Systems unit said it will begin building a $48-million air defense system for NATO and the Portuguese Air Force at its Fullerton facility this month. The company said it expects to hire about 10 new communications engineers to help it complete the four-year job, which it received as a subcontractor for Thomson-CSF Airsys of France. A Hughes team will design and test the air defense system substation, and operate it until the Portuguese take control in 2000.