Gov. Mike Braun participated in a groundbreaking for the latest expansion of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) in Daviess County in September that will deliver two new facilities.
This expansion is intended to assist in the development of the company’s defense capabilities and innovation while contributing to the long-term growth of Indiana’s defense ecosystem.
“Indiana’s defense sector is growing at record pace, attracting new investment, jobs and critical installations to power the warfighter,” Braun said in a statement released on Oct. 14. “Kratos first broke ground in Indiana less than two years ago, and the company’s decision to expand yet again is a testament to our robust defense industry and the strength and skill of our workforce. We look forward to supporting Kratos in this growth and supporting US defense innovation and national security.”
Kratos, a technology company in defense, national security and global markets, is constructing its new Helios and AN/SPY-1 facilities at its campus in Odon, Indiana, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners. The new footprint will feature two distinct, purpose-built complexes:
- AN/SPY-1, also referred to as the Indiana Radar Integration Complex (IRIC): An approximately 183,000-square-foot SPY-1 facility designed to establish a long-term organic capability for the repair, testing, integration and sustainment of the Navy’s AN/SPY-1 radar system.
- The Helios Arc Jet & Laser Facility: The facility will attempt to address current critical gaps in U.S. Defense Industrial Base capabilities by providing testing infrastructure for thermal protection systems used in hypersonic vehicles. This capability will complement and enhance the national testing infrastructure, supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and Department of War.
According to a statement “Kratos is making deliberate internal investments to rapidly develop and field advanced capabilities our warfighters require against peer adversaries,” said Eric DeMarco, president and CEO of Kratos. “The new IRIC and HELIOS facilities are prime examples of how we approach commercial investment in national security to be first to market with proven, cost-effective capabilities. We are proud to expand our partnership with the state of Indiana to deliver real, mission-relevant products and systems, ensuring that our military has the national security relevant hardware it needs to decisively execute its missions.”
This is Kratos’ latest investment in the Hoosier state following its $50 million state-of-the-art hypersonic systems payload integration facility, which was completed in July of this year. This facility is meant to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation hypersonic technologies and create more than 100 high-tech jobs.
“Indiana is uniquely positioned to support US defense and national security efforts thanks to our industry assets like NSWC Crane and our robust private sector,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich. “Kratos’ continued growth here in Indiana will not only create new, high-wage career opportunities, but it will advance the industry to new heights, strengthening the Hoosier state as a prime destination for defense.”
Some local officials in Daviess County look favorably on Kratos and see this facility as an opportunity to employ the county’s engineers and college graduates.
“I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen, and I think their character and integrity will fit well in Daviess County,” Nathan Gabhart, Daviess County Commissioner said. “We’re always excited to see high-tech jobs coming to Daviess County. We have a very high concentration of engineers and college grads, and I think it’s going to be a perfect match.”
For more information visit kratosdefense.com or in.gov/gov/newsroom/news-releases/.
Contact Staff Writer Malik Simon at 317-762-7847.
Malik Simon is a Staff Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies concentrating on journalism. Before joining the Recorder, he wrote for the Devil’s Gazette newspaper at MVSU and served as a freelance content and video editor. He seeks to use media to help communities flourish through literacy and factual reporting.
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