England-based defense contractor BAE Systems plc announced today that Linda Hudson will serve as president and CEO of its US subsidiary, BAE Systems Inc. of Rockville, Md. Hudson, who also was named COO and executive director for BAE Systems plc, succeeds Walt Havenstein, who left in June to head Science Applications International Corp. Retired US Marine Corps Gen. Tony Zinni, interim president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc., will continue on as board chairman. Bob Murphy, executive vice president of land and armaments, was named acting president of the unit pending the appointment of a permanent successor. Hudson has served as president of BAE Systems’ Land & Armaments Operating Group since January 2007. She began her career in 1972 at Harris Corp. in Melbourne, Fla., as a research and development engineer. From 1976 to 1985, she held management positions at Ford Aerospace. In 1985, she joined Martin Marietta Corp. as program director of electro-optical systems. From 1992 to 2006, she served General Dynamics as president of ordnance systems, then vice president of business development and, finally, as corporate vice president and president of armament and technical products. She also serves on the USO Worldwide Board of Governors and on the Association of the US Army Council of Trustees, and on advisory boards for engineering programs at the University of Maryland and the University of Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering from the University of Florida. She was the first woman to receive the National Infantry Association’s Military Order of St. Maurice in recognition of her support of the US Army Infantry.